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What is an international trade specialist and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025
3 min read
Quoted expert
Kim Chatani

International Trade Specialist manages a company's stock portfolio, handles transactions involving that company's assets, coordinates credit and financial activities, and obtains payments for import/export operations at the international level. They act as an advisor on matters of tariffs, markets, and federal and external regulations.

To become an International Trade Specialist, you need to possess a bachelor's degree in business administration, international business, international trade, or a related field. However, it would be best if you have experience in the economic background.

The bachelors who work in this field end up laying claim to annual earnings at $55,516. The current median pay for an International Trade Specialist ranges from $43,525 to $62,151in the U.S. However, this figure can vary significantly depending upon your experience and skills.

What general advice would you give to an international trade specialist?

Kim Chatani

Assistant Professor, Concordia University Irvine

The career path for graduating students is full of unpredictability, as we have seen during this COVID 19 pandemic. In addition to academic excellence, graduates will face challenges that will test their core principles and beliefs. My advice is to view each challenge you meet with a long-term perspective while addressing the immediate concerns in a balanced way. Your career will span decades, and what you may face during the first several years will only be a fraction of your professional career. View how your immediate decision may impact you in the long-term.
ScoreInternational Trade SpecialistUS Average
Salary
4.9

Avg. Salary $63,227

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability level
-

Growth rate 19%

Growth rate 0.3%

Diversity
4.3
Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 0.43%

Asian 8.83%

Black or African American 6.36%

Hispanic or Latino 9.39%

Unknown 4.56%

White 70.43%

Gender

female 51.76%

male 48.24%

Age - 43
Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%

Asian 7.00%

Black or African American 14.00%

Hispanic or Latino 19.00%

White 57.00%

Gender

female 47.00%

male 53.00%

Age - 43
Complexity level
1.8

Complexity level is simple

7 - challenging

International trade specialist career paths

Key steps to become an international trade specialist

  1. Explore international trade specialist education requirements

    Most common international trade specialist degrees

    Bachelor's

    62.8 %

    Master's

    17.2 %

    Associate

    10.3 %
  2. Start to develop specific international trade specialist skills

    SkillsPercentages
    Trade Compliance12.10%
    Export8.11%
    Customer Service7.21%
    Technical Assistance6.61%
    Export Compliance4.61%
  3. Research international trade specialist duties and responsibilities

    • Manage import and export projects, reviewing documentation to identify potential risks and make recommendations for mitigation to upper management.
    • Work directly with various freight forwarders, airline carriers and truckers.
    • Process claims with carriers, forwarders and vendors.
    • Fill ACH and NON-ACH entries for duty with customs.
  4. Prepare your international trade specialist resume

    When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your international trade specialist resume.

    You can use Zippia's AI resume builder to make the resume writing process easier while also making sure that you include key information that hiring managers expect to see on an international trade specialist resume. You'll find resume tips and examples of skills, responsibilities, and summaries, all provided by Zippi, your career sidekick.

    Choose from 10+ customizable international trade specialist resume templates

    Build a professional international trade specialist resume in minutes. Browse through our resume examples to identify the best way to word your resume. Then choose from 10+ resume templates to create your international trade specialist resume.
    International Trade Specialist Resume
    International Trade Specialist Resume
    International Trade Specialist Resume
    International Trade Specialist Resume
    International Trade Specialist Resume
    International Trade Specialist Resume
    International Trade Specialist Resume
    International Trade Specialist Resume
    International Trade Specialist Resume
  5. Apply for international trade specialist jobs

    Now it's time to start searching for an international trade specialist job. Consider the tips below for a successful job search:

    1. Browse job boards for relevant postings
    2. Consult your professional network
    3. Reach out to companies you're interested in working for directly
    4. Watch out for job scams

How did you land your first international trade specialist job

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Average international trade specialist salary

The average international trade specialist salary in the United States is $63,227 per year or $30 per hour. International trade specialist salaries range between $38,000 and $103,000 per year.

Average international trade specialist salary
$63,227 Yearly
$30.40 hourly

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Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

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