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Foreign Service Jobs (NOW HIRING)

We're seeking an experienced foreign service & intelligence coach to work with professionals pursuing careers in diplomacy, national security, and intelligence. This role includes guidance on foreign ...

New

We're seeking an experienced FSI tutor to work with candidates preparing for the Foreign Service exam across Political Science, International Relations, U.S. Government and Constitution, National ...

New

S. Foreign Service employees, Department of State Civil Service employees and Locally Employed (LE) staff. We provide both American and LE Staff payroll services for U.S. Agencies Overseas and ...

Compensation Analyst-DOS

Charleston, SC · On-site

$65K - $81K/yr

S. Foreign Service employees, Department of State Civil Service employees and Locally Employed (LE) staff. They provide both American and LE Staff payroll services for U.S. Agencies Overseas and ...

Compensation Technician

Charleston, SC · On-site

$16 - $21.75/hr

S. Foreign Service employees, Department of State Civil Service employees and Locally Employed (LE) staff. They provide both American and LE Staff payroll services for U.S. Agencies Overseas and ...

S. Foreign Service employees, Department of State Civil Service employees and Locally Employed (LE) staff. They provide both American and LE Staff payroll services for U.S. Agencies Overseas and ...

Payroll Technician

Charleston, SC · On-site

$22 - $29/hr

S. Foreign Service employees, Department of State Civil Service employees and Locally Employed (LE) staff. They provide both American and LE Staff payroll services for U.S. Agencies Overseas and ...

S. Foreign Service employees, Department of State Civil Service employees and Locally Employed (LE) staff. They provide both American and LE Staff payroll services for U.S. Agencies Overseas and ...

S. Foreign Service employees, Department of State Civil Service employees and Locally Employed (LE) staff. We provide both American and LE Staff payroll services for U.S. Agencies Overseas and ...

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Foreign Service information

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$12

$24

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How much do foreign service jobs pay per hour?

As of Jul 20, 2026, the average hourly pay for foreign service in the United States is $24.14, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $17.55 and $28.85 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are Foreign Service officers?

Foreign Service officers are diplomats who represent their home country abroad, working in embassies, consulates, and missions. They are responsible for promoting their nation's interests, protecting citizens overseas, and engaging in diplomatic negotiations. Their duties can include political analysis, economic reporting, consular services, and cultural exchange programs. Becoming a Foreign Service officer typically involves passing a competitive exam, undergoing thorough background checks, and completing specialized training.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Foreign Service Officer, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Foreign Service Officer, you need a solid educational background, strong analytical abilities, and proficiency in at least one foreign language, often supported by a bachelor’s degree and passing the Foreign Service Officer Test (FSOT). Familiarity with international relations, government procedures, and specialized tools such as diplomatic communication platforms is typically required. Outstanding interpersonal skills, cultural adaptability, and resilience are vital soft skills for building relationships and navigating complex global environments. These skills and qualities are essential for effectively representing national interests and fostering international cooperation.

What are some common challenges Foreign Service Officers face when adapting to new postings abroad?

Foreign Service Officers often encounter challenges such as adjusting to unfamiliar cultural norms, navigating language barriers, and adapting to different political or security environments. Each new assignment can require quick acclimation to local customs and regulations, which may impact both personal and professional life. Building effective relationships with local colleagues and the expatriate community is key, and ongoing training and support from the State Department help officers manage these transitions successfully.

What is the difference between Foreign Service vs Consular Officer?

AspectForeign ServiceConsular Officer
Required CredentialsBachelor's degree, diplomatic training, language skillsBachelor's degree, customer service experience, language skills
Work EnvironmentEmbassies, diplomatic missions worldwideConsulates, visa and passport offices
Employer & IndustryU.S. Department of State, foreign serviceU.S. Department of State, consular services

Foreign Service and Consular Officers both serve in diplomatic roles for the U.S. government, often working at embassies or consulates. While Foreign Service officers handle a broad range of diplomatic duties, Consular Officers focus specifically on visa, passport, and citizen services. Both roles require similar educational backgrounds and language skills, but their daily responsibilities and work environments differ slightly.

What professions make 200,000 a year without a degree?

In the context of a Foreign Service career, high-earning roles such as senior diplomatic positions or specialized international consultants can reach or exceed $200,000 annually, often requiring extensive experience, language skills, and security clearances rather than formal degrees. Outside of government, professions like sales executives, real estate brokers, or entrepreneurs in certain industries may also achieve this income level without a traditional degree, but typically rely on skills, networks, and performance-based compensation.

What does a Foreign Service worker do?

A Foreign Service worker represents their country's government abroad, performing diplomatic duties such as managing international relations, assisting citizens overseas, and promoting national interests. They often work in embassies or consulates, requiring strong communication skills, cultural awareness, and security clearances. Their responsibilities include negotiating agreements, providing consular services, and reporting on local developments.

How hard is it to become a Foreign Service Officer?

Becoming a Foreign Service Officer is competitive and requires passing a rigorous exam, a comprehensive oral assessment, and a background check. Candidates often need strong communication skills, foreign language proficiency, and relevant experience or education in international affairs or related fields.

What kind of jobs are in the Foreign Service?

The Foreign Service offers a variety of roles including diplomatic officers, consular officers, political analysts, economic officers, and public diplomacy specialists. These jobs involve representing the government abroad, managing international relations, and providing services to citizens overseas, often requiring language skills, cultural knowledge, and security clearances.
More about Foreign Service jobs
What cities are hiring for Foreign Service jobs? Cities with the most Foreign Service job openings:
What states have the most Foreign Service jobs? States with the most job openings for Foreign Service jobs include:
What job categories do people searching Foreign Service jobs look for? The top searched job categories for Foreign Service jobs are:
Infographic showing various Foreign Service job openings in the United States as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 91% Full Time, and 9% Part Time. Highlights an 93% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 6% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $50,214 per year, or $24.1 per hour.
Foreign Service & Intelligence Coach

Foreign Service & Intelligence Coach

Leland

Remote

Contractor

Posted 3 days ago

New


Job description

Leland is building the home for ambition in the age of AI. We connect people with the experts, programs, and communities they need to land the job, get into the school, or upskill for a world being rewritten by AI. We help businesses become AI-native through training, hiring, and infrastructure. Since our founding in 2021, we've helped tens of thousands of people reach their most ambitious goals and raised $19M from world-class investors. Ambition is sacred to us, and we've built a product that takes that seriously.
We're seeking an experienced foreign service & intelligence coach to work with professionals pursuing careers in diplomacy, national security, and intelligence. This role includes guidance on foreign policy, diplomacy, international law, counterterrorism, intelligence analysis, crisis management, and strategic communications, as well as language proficiency development for clients working toward specific regional or role requirements. Coaches also help clients navigate their career path with resume review, cover letters, LinkedIn review, interview prep, networking strategy, salary negotiation, freelancing, and ongoing skill building. Ideal candidates have hands-on experience in foreign service, intelligence, or national security roles, prior coaching or mentoring experience, and a clear, structured approach to helping clients break into and grow within this field. Coaches set their own hours and rates, host sessions virtually, and partner with our team to deliver a high-quality, supportive experience for every client.
Why Leland?
  • The chance to join a world-class team helping people achieve their career and educational dreams
  • Work in a collaborative, high-energy environment where your contributions have a direct impact
  • Operate in a fast-paced, AI-native environment
  • We don't hire people who merely want to work for a great company; we hire people who want to make a great company

Leland is an equal opportunity employer. We encourage candidates of all backgrounds and demographics to apply.