Which is ranked higher: the consul general or ambassador?

Question

Which is ranked higher: the consul general or ambassador?

Answer 1

Randy answers for the UK.  

For Americans, the Ambassador is also the highest official representing the US in the country.  The consul general heads a consulate that may operate separately from the embassy (think a branch office manager). Ambassadors must be confirmed by the US Senate, but not consuls general (it's not "consul generals").  

It gets a little more confusing; the top consular (visas, passports and the like) official in embassy is often called a consul general, too.  They also report to the Ambassador.

It's good to be the Ambassador.

Answer 2

In diplomatic circles, there are two ways to rate people- diplomatic or functional. Within the State Department, an individual carries his "rank" with him. (Along with rank goes his salary, a common way you and I rank each other, no?)

The embassy has four divisions- political, economic, administrative and consular.  Since the consular deals with locals more than the other three, the head of the consulate may have the title "Consul General." In large countries like Mexico, each consulate may have a Consul General who is the head of that area, especially for consular affairs. The highest-ranking diplomat is always the Ambassador. He is a lot like the historical viceroy (takes the place of the king).

In practice, each consul general makes the last decision on day-to-day matters in his area. But the Ambassador has the right to contradict him, officially, though this seldom happens.

And as I mentioned earlier, it's possible for a very senior State Department employee, the Consul General, to earn more money (and carry the concomitant corridor drag) than his "boss," the new and presidentially-appointed ambassador.

Internally, the State Department has grumbled a lot about the number of appointed ambassadors, but that's a separate issue.

Answer 3

Ambassadors and High Commissioners are the same "rank" it's just that one if from a British Commonwealth country working in another Commonwealth country.

Next comes Consul Generals, they are essentially the highest ranking person working at a Consulate office which is the same as a "branch office" for the Embassy/High Commission.  The council general serves as an adviser who speaks on behalf of his or her state in the country or area to which he or she is located.