How much does a Foreign Service Specialist make?
Salary Ranges for Foreign Service Specialists
The salaries of Foreign Service Specialists in the US range from $18,053 to $480,796 , with a median salary of $86,563 . The middle 57% of Foreign Service Specialists makes between $86,563 and $217,904, with the top 86% making $480,796.
How hard is it to be a foreign service officer?
The search for extraordinary U.S. citizens to serve as Foreign Service Officers is intense and the qualifying process is rigorous, demanding and highly competitive. If you are interested in becoming a Foreign Service Officer (FSO), you must first register for and take the Foreign Service Officer Test (FSOT).
What degree do you need to be a foreign service officer?
The educational requirements to enter the foreign service vary depending on the type of position. Completion of a bachelor’s degree is usually required. A graduate degree or several years of experience may be an asset. Proficiency in French and/or other foreign languages may also be an asset.
Are foreign service specialists diplomats?
Yes, Foreign Service Specialists posted abroad are diplomats. … They are appointed to the Foreign Service as Administrative and Technical Personnel, and may be called attaches if a title is granted. They are considered to be non-commissioned officers, and have specialized in a particular professional field.
How hard is the Foreign Service exam?
The FSOT is a very challenging exam with a low pass-rate (hovering between just 30% and 50% of test takers). So you should not underestimate the need to study for this test. … In addition to a great overview of all the subjects, it provides a straightforward and highly-effective plan for using your study time well.
Do foreign service officers get free housing?
Foreign Service Officers who live in government-sponsored housing do not pay rent, nor do they pay for basic utilities, except for personal telephone service. At overseas posts where the government neither owns nor leases accommodations, Foreign Service Officers are given a Living Quarters Allowance.
Is a foreign service officer a spy?
So, let’s be clear: Foreign service officers are NOT spies. They do not work for the CIA, FBI, DIA, or anyone else in the IC (Intelligence Community). … It is very likely that you’ll have some security clearance and deal with classified information as an FSO, but you are not a spy. You’re a diplomat.
Do diplomats get paid well?
Someone with a BA can anticipate a starting salary around $30,000, and the pay structure is similar to that in other government organizations. Senior foreign service officials can make over $100,000 per year.
Can diplomats have tattoos?
There is no formal policy on tattoos. … I have a number of tattoos, as do many other officers, and there has never been an issue. If someone in a harmful situation is targeting diplomats, you can rest assured that you have already been identified.
How many foreign service officers are hired each year?
In recent years, more than 20,000 candidates have taken the Foreign Service Officer Test annually. A much smaller number advance to the QEP review, and then only a few hundred are invited to the Oral Assessment.
Is there an age limit for foreign service officer?
To enter the Foreign Service, you must be an American citizen between the ages of 20 and 59 and, although there is no educational requirement to become a Foreign Service officer, the vast majority of applicants hold a bachelor’s degree or higher.