In an era defined by data, the role of a Digital Archivist has become more critical than ever. These information professionals are the guardians of our digital heritage, ensuring that vital electronic records—from government documents and corporate assets to cultural artifacts—are preserved and accessible for the future. If you're considering a career at the intersection of technology, history, and information science, you're likely asking a key question: What is the earning potential?
While passion for preservation is a driving force, understanding the financial landscape is crucial for career planning. The gross yearly salary for a Digital Archivist typically ranges from $55,000 for entry-level positions to over $95,000 for senior or specialized roles, with numerous factors influencing where you might land on that spectrum.
This guide will break down a Digital Archivist's salary, the factors that shape it, and the promising future of this dynamic profession.
What Does a Digital Archivist Do?
Before diving into the numbers, let's clarify the role. A Digital Archivist is responsible for acquiring, managing, preserving, and providing access to materials that exist in a digital format. Unlike a traditional archivist who might handle paper manuscripts or photographs, a Digital Archivist works with "born-digital" or digitized assets.
Their daily responsibilities often include:
- Appraising and acquiring digital collections, such as emails, websites, social media data, databases, and digital video or audio files.
- Developing and implementing preservation strategies to prevent data loss due to file corruption or technological obsolescence.
- Creating metadata (descriptive data) to ensure digital files are organized, searchable, and discoverable.
- Managing Digital Asset Management (DAM) or other repository systems.
- Assisting researchers, colleagues, or the public in accessing and using the digital archives.
Average Digital Archivist Salary
Salary data shows a strong and stable earning potential for Digital Archivists, though figures can vary based on the source and its methodology.
- The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) groups Digital Archivists with "Archivists, Curators, and Museum Technicians." For Archivists specifically, the median annual wage was $61,890 as of May 2023. It's important to note that this BLS category is broad and includes roles in smaller, potentially lower-paying institutions, which can moderate the median figure.
- Salary.com provides more specific data, reporting that the average salary for a Digital Archivist in the United States is around $77,500, with a typical range falling between $66,400 and $89,900 (as of early 2024).
- Glassdoor reports a similar average base pay of approximately $74,000 per year, based on user-submitted data.
Generally, you can expect a starting salary in the mid-$50,000s, progressing into the $70,000-$80,000 range with experience, and potentially reaching six figures in high-demand, senior-level positions.
Key Factors That Influence Salary
Your exact salary as a Digital Archivist will be determined by a combination of factors. Understanding these variables is key to maximizing your earning potential.
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Level of Education
Education is one of the most significant factors in this field. A Master's degree is the standard and often non-negotiable entry requirement. The most common degrees are a Master of Library and Information Science (MLIS), a Master of Archival Studies (MAS), or a master's in history with a concentration in archives management.
- Why it Matters: This advanced degree provides the foundational knowledge in archival theory, preservation standards (like OAIS), metadata schemas, and the ethical principles guiding the profession. This high educational bar sets a solid salary floor.
- Impact on Earnings: Possessing a relevant Master's degree is what qualifies you for most professional-level archivist positions. A Ph.D. is generally only necessary for high-level academic research or director-level positions at major research institutions and can command a significantly higher salary.
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Years of Experience
As with most professions, experience is directly correlated with salary growth. The archival field has a clear career ladder.
- Entry-Level (0-3 years): An entry-level Digital Archivist or Archival Technician can expect a salary in the range of $55,000 to $65,000. These roles focus on processing collections, creating metadata, and learning institutional workflows under supervision.
- Mid-Career (4-9 years): With several years of experience, a Digital Archivist can command a salary between $68,000 and $85,000. At this stage, professionals take on more complex projects, manage their own workflows, and may supervise junior staff or interns.
- Senior/Lead (10+ years): A Senior or Lead Digital Archivist, often with supervisory or strategic responsibilities, can earn $85,000 to $100,000+. These roles involve setting policy, managing large-scale preservation projects, and overseeing an entire digital program.
(Source: General salary progression data from Payscale and Salary.com, 2024)
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Geographic Location
Where you work matters. Salaries are often adjusted to reflect the local cost of living. Major metropolitan areas with a high concentration of government agencies, universities, and corporations tend to offer the highest salaries.
- Top-Tier Cities: Metropolitan areas like Washington D.C., the San Francisco Bay Area, New York City, and Boston consistently offer the highest salaries to offset a high cost of living. For example, a Digital Archivist in Washington D.C. might earn 15-25% more than the national average.
- Mid-Tier Cities and States: Salaries in other major cities and states remain competitive and are often close to the national average.
- Lower-Paying Regions: Rural areas and states with a lower cost of living will typically offer salaries on the lower end of the spectrum.
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Company Type
The type of organization you work for has a profound impact on your compensation and benefits package.
- Corporate: Private companies—especially in tech, law, finance, and media—are often the highest-paying employers. They rely on digital archivists to manage critical business records, intellectual property, and brand assets.
- Federal Government: Agencies like the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA), the Library of Congress, and the Smithsonian Institution are major employers. Salaries are structured on the transparent General Schedule (GS) pay scale, offering strong job security and benefits.
- Higher Education: Universities and colleges employ digital archivists to manage scholarly output, administrative records, and special digital collections. Salaries are often competitive but may be slightly lower than in the corporate sector.
- Museums & Non-Profits: While incredibly rewarding, these mission-driven organizations often have tighter budgets and tend to offer salaries on the lower end of the professional scale.
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Area of Specialization
Within the field of digital archiving, certain specializations are in higher demand and can command a premium salary. Developing expertise in one of these areas can significantly boost your career trajectory.
- Digital Asset Management (DAM): Professionals who can implement and manage complex DAM systems for large media or corporate entities are highly sought after.
- Electronic Records Management (ERM): Specializing in the lifecycle of corporate or government electronic records, including legal and compliance issues, is a lucrative niche.
- Audiovisual Preservation: Expertise in preserving complex digital video and audio formats is a critical skill for media companies, libraries, and museums.
- Web Archiving: As more of our history is created on the web, specialists who can capture and preserve dynamic websites are in high demand.
Job Outlook
The future for Digital Archivists is bright. The BLS projects that employment for archivists, curators, and museum workers will grow by 7% from 2022 to 2032, which is "much faster than the average for all occupations."
This growth is fueled by the "digital deluge"—the ever-expanding volume of digital information being created by governments, businesses, and individuals. As organizations recognize the value and risk associated with their digital assets, the need for skilled professionals to manage them will only increase.
Conclusion
A career as a Digital Archivist is a rewarding path for those who are meticulous, tech-savvy, and passionate about preserving information. From a financial perspective, it offers a stable and respectable salary with clear pathways for growth.
Key Takeaways:
- Solid Earning Potential: Expect a median salary in the $70,000s, with a broad range influenced by key factors.
- Education is Paramount: A Master's degree (MLIS or similar) is the price of entry and the foundation for your earning potential.
- Experience and Specialization Pay Off: Your salary will grow significantly with experience, and developing in-demand skills in areas like DAM or ERM can accelerate that growth.
- A Promising Future: With job growth projected to be much faster than average, the demand for Digital Archivists is strong and expected to continue.
For anyone looking to build a career that is both intellectually stimulating and financially sound, the role of a Digital Archivist presents a compelling and future-proof opportunity.