Foreign Service Officers
Overview

Introduction
Foreign service officers represent the government and the people of the United States by conducting relations with foreign countries and international organizations. They promote and protect the United States political, economic, and commercial interests overseas. They observe and analyze conditions and developments in foreign countries and report to the State Department and other agencies. Foreign Service officers guard the welfare of Americans abroad and help foreign nationals traveling to the United States. There are about 14,400...
Quick Facts
Median Salary
Employment Prospects
Minimum Education Level
Experience
Skills
Personality Traits
Earnings
Foreign Service officers are paid on a sliding scale. The exact figures depend on their qualifications and experience. According to the U.S. State Department, salaries for those with a bachelor’s degree and zero to five years of experience ranged from $53,571 to $61,871 in 2024. Foreign Service officers with a bachelors degree and more than 21 years experience earned $96,132 per year. Those who...
Work Environment
Foreign Service officers may be assigned to work in Washington, D.C., or in any embassy or consulate in the world. "You will hold a variety of positions within a probationary period (up to five years) in order to demonstrate your qualifications for tenure as a career Foreign Service Officer and to see if the Foreign Service is the right fit," according to the Foreign Service Web site. "As part ...
Outlook
There is heavy competition and extensive testing involved in obtaining Foreign Service positions. More than 270 posts abroad are staffed by Foreign Service officers and specialists.
The Foreign Service seeks candidates who can manage programs and personnel, as well as demonstrate expertise in transnational issues, such as science and technology; the fight against diseases, such as Ebola ...