The $7.9 billion worth of goods exported from Nebraska to foreign markets in 2014 supported more than 62,000 jobs according to the US International Trade Administration.
As the Nebraska Department of Economic Development points out, being involved in international trade and commerce is no longer a luxury for many firms in the state. It is a necessity for these businesses to continue to grow and expand.
International trade development is an ongoing process that requires an array of talented professionals skilled in international business practices and international relations. Private firms involved in international commerce now rely heavily on trade compliance officers and international supply chain managers among others to succeed in the global marketplace – while the diplomatic advisors, foreign policy analysts and others that work for economic development agencies and NGOs lay the foundation for strong trade relations. In both cases, an understanding of foreign markets and cultures commands high salaries for both international business professionals and international relations specialists.
Salaries for Nebraska’s International Business Professionals
Companies rely heavily on logisticians to navigate complex global supply chains and ensure that exports make it to their intended destination in foreign markets. Logisticians in Omaha earning in the 90th percentile of this occupational category earned an average salary of $111,150 a year in 2014 according to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics.
International market research analysts in Omaha earned higher salaries than their colleagues throughout the state with those earning in the 90th percentile making an average of $100,700 a year.
The US Bureau of Labor Statistics provides salary data on a number of other professionals found in the multinational companies and local exporting companies with operations in Nebraska (2014):
Salaries for Nebraska’s International Relations Professionals
NGOs are major employers for international relations experts who help them achieve success in their humanitarian efforts. Nonprofits in Nebraska are a major employer according to the American Community Survey. In 2009, they employed one out of every 11 workers in the state—making it the third largest industry in Nebraska.
Bluewater Nonprofit Solutions provides salary data for a key nonprofit position—that of chief marketing officer. In 2012, such professionals in the north central portion of the US that includes Nebraska earned a median salary of $84,936. The maximum they earned was $235,125. In addition, 42.9% of these organizations paid an average bonus of 2.3%.
Fundraisers in the Lincoln area in the 90th percentile of their occupational category earned an average salary of $102,130 a year. This was $2,960 higher than the average for fundraisers in this category in Nebraska overall.
The state of Nebraska’s Office of International Trade & Investment offers a salary range of $56,468 to $84,702 for economic development business development managers. The annual salaries for economic development business consultants with the organization ranged from $44,123 to $63,904 in 2014.
The US Bureau of Labor Statistics provides a salary analysis for occupational categories associated with international relations work (2014):