Also called: Chief of Mission, U.S. Ambassador
The President's personal representative to another country, leading a U.S. embassy.
An ambassador meets with presidents and prime ministers, negotiates on trade and security, and leads hundreds of embassy staff from many agencies. They host dinners, give speeches in the local language, and handle crises like evacuations. About 70% are career diplomats; the rest are political appointees.
Senior Foreign Service pay; housing provided.
Approximate: anchored on Bureau of Labor Statistics data for a broader job group.
Bachelor's degree (4-year), about 25 years after high school. Decades as a Foreign Service Officer, or a political appointment; Senate confirmation required.
Ways in: 4-year college, Graduate school, On-the-job training. Training cost: $15k – $60k.
Majors to look at: International Relations, Political Science, Economics, Foreign Languages, History.
Growing slowly. About 190 posts.
Low risk for 10 years. AI drafts cables and briefing books; face-to-face trust with foreign leaders and representing the President stay human.
Classes: AP World History, A foreign language, AP Government.
Official data: O*NET occupation 11-1031.
Career Universe is an early version. Pay, training and AI-risk figures are estimates to start your own research, not verified facts. The research was written with AI research assistants, checked by validation scripts and spot-checked by hand. Check anything important with schools, employers and official sources. How the numbers work.