For those with a passion for history, preservation, and organization, a career as an archivist can be deeply rewarding. These professionals are the guardians of our collective memory, ensuring that vital records, historical documents, and cultural artifacts are protected and accessible for future generations. But beyond the intellectual satisfaction, what is the financial potential of this career?
A career as an archivist offers stable and competitive compensation, with the U.S. median salary approaching $60,000 per year. However, with the right credentials, experience, and specialization, top earners in the field can command salaries well over $90,000. This guide will break down the salary for an archivist, exploring the key factors that influence earning potential in this vital profession.
What Does an Archivist Do?
Before diving into the numbers, it's essential to understand the role. An archivist is a specialist responsible for appraising, acquiring, processing, preserving, and managing collections of historical records and documents. Their work is a unique blend of historical research, library science, and information management.
Key responsibilities include:
- Appraising materials to determine their historical value and deciding what to keep.
- Arranging and describing records according to established archival principles.
- Creating detailed finding aids and catalogs to help researchers locate materials.
- Preserving delicate materials, which may involve digitization, climate control, and physical conservation.
- Assisting researchers, such as scholars, students, and the public, in using the archives.
- Developing and implementing policies for records management and access.
Average Salary for an Archivist
The salary for an archivist can vary significantly, but authoritative data provides a clear picture of the typical earnings.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the median annual wage for archivists was $58,540 in May 2023. This means half of all archivists earned more than this amount, and half earned less. The BLS also reports a wide salary spectrum:
- Lowest 10%: Earned less than $38,810
- Highest 10%: Earned more than $100,240
Salary aggregators provide similar figures, offering a real-time pulse on the market. For instance, Salary.com reports a median archivist salary of $62,101 as of late 2024, with a typical range falling between $52,360 and $73,286. Meanwhile, Payscale notes an average base salary of around $55,000, emphasizing how experience can drive that number higher.
This data illustrates that while the median provides a solid baseline, your specific salary will be determined by a combination of critical factors.
Key Factors That Influence Salary
Your earning potential as an archivist isn't set in stone. It is shaped by your qualifications, choices, and career progression. Here are the five most significant factors that influence the salary for an archivist.
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Level of Education
In the archival profession, education is paramount. A bachelor's degree in history, library science, or a related field is the minimum starting point, but a Master's degree is the standard requirement for most professional archivist positions.
Typically, employers seek candidates with a Master of Library and Information Science (MLIS) or a Master of Archival Studies (MAS). A Master of Arts (MA) in History with a concentration in archives or records management is also highly valued. Holding this advanced degree not only makes you a competitive candidate but directly unlocks access to higher-paying positions in government, academia, and corporate settings. Some senior or specialized roles, particularly in academia, may even prefer a PhD.
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Years of Experience
Experience is a powerful driver of salary growth. As you build a track record of managing collections, working with researchers, and developing preservation strategies, your value to employers increases significantly.
- Entry-Level (0-2 years): An archivist or archival technician just starting out can expect a salary in the range of $40,000 to $50,000. These roles focus on foundational tasks like processing collections and assisting senior staff.
- Mid-Career (3-9 years): With several years of experience, archivists who can manage their own projects and take on more complex responsibilities often see their salaries climb into the $55,000 to $70,000 range.
- Senior/Lead Archivist (10+ years): Seasoned professionals with a decade or more of experience, especially those in management roles (e.g., Head of Archives, University Archivist), can earn $75,000 to $95,000 or more.
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Geographic Location
Where you work matters. Salaries often reflect the local cost of living and the concentration of archival employers. Metropolitan areas with major universities, government agencies, and corporate headquarters typically offer higher wages.
According to BLS data, the top-paying states for archivists are:
1. District of Columbia: A hub for federal archives and national museums.
2. California: Home to major universities, tech company archives, and cultural institutions.
3. Massachusetts: Rich with historical societies, universities, and museums.
4. Maryland: Benefitting from proximity to federal jobs in the D.C. area.
5. Alaska: Often offers higher pay to attract qualified professionals.
Working in a major city like Washington D.C., Los Angeles, Boston, or New York will generally yield a higher salary than working in a smaller town or rural area.
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Company Type
The type of institution you work for is a major determinant of your salary. Archivists are employed across various sectors, each with a different funding structure and pay scale.
- Federal Government: The federal government, including institutions like the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) and the Library of Congress, is one of the largest and highest-paying employers of archivists. Salaries follow the General Schedule (GS) pay scale, which is often very competitive.
- Colleges and Universities: Academic archives are a major source of employment. Salaries can vary widely depending on whether the institution is a large, private research university or a smaller public college.
- Corporate Archives: A growing number of large corporations (e.g., in technology, finance, and consumer goods) maintain archives to preserve their brand history and intellectual property. These positions can be among the most lucrative.
- State and Local Government: State archives, city historical societies, and public libraries offer stable employment but may have salaries slightly below the federal level.
- Museums and Non-Profits: While deeply rewarding, these positions are often funded by donations and grants, which can result in lower salaries compared to other sectors.
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Area of Specialization
Developing expertise in a high-demand niche can significantly boost your earning potential. As the field evolves, specialized skills become more valuable.
- Digital Archivist: Professionals who specialize in preserving "born-digital" materials (emails, websites, databases) and digitizing physical collections are in high demand and can command premium salaries.
- Records Manager: This specialization focuses on managing an organization's current records for legal, regulatory, and business purposes. It often overlaps with archival work and is a well-compensated field.
- Special Collections: Expertise in rare books, photographs, audiovisual materials, or subject-specific collections (e.g., medical or scientific archives) can lead to prestigious and higher-paying roles.
Job Outlook
The future for archivists appears stable and promising. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment for archivists, curators, and museum workers is projected to grow 7 percent from 2022 to 2032, which is faster than the average for all occupations.
The BLS anticipates about 3,100 openings each year over the decade, primarily arising from the need to replace workers who retire or transfer to different occupations. The continued need to manage and make accessible vast amounts of digital and physical information ensures that skilled archivists will remain essential. However, it is a competitive field, and candidates with a master's degree and specialized skills will have the best prospects.
Conclusion
A career as an archivist is an excellent choice for individuals who want to combine a love of history with technical and organizational skills. While it is a passion-driven profession, it offers a solid and respectable salary that grows with your education, experience, and expertise.
The key takeaways for maximizing your earning potential are:
- Invest in a Master's degree (MLIS, MAS, or MA in History) as it is the gateway to the best opportunities.
- Gain experience and seek roles with increasing responsibility.
- Be strategic about location, targeting areas with a high concentration of archival institutions.
- Develop a specialization, especially in high-demand areas like digital preservation.
By following this path, you can build not only a fulfilling career preserving the past but also a financially secure future.