How much does a archivist make?
The median archivist in the United States earns $64,550 per year, about $31.03 an hour. That is the midpoint of the profession: half of all archivists earn more, and half earn less.
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025. SOC code 25-4011.
Archivist salary range
Pay for archivists spans a wide band. The lowest paid 10 percent earn under $39,970 a year, while the highest paid 10 percent take home more than $110,550. The average (mean) wage of $70,640 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $39,970 | $19.22 | Lowest paid |
| 25th percentile | $50,680 | $24.37 | |
| Median (50th) | $64,550 | $31.03 | Midpoint |
| 75th percentile | $83,020 | $39.92 | |
| 90th percentile | $110,550 | $53.15 | Highest paid |
Figures are national wage estimates for archivists (SOC 25-4011), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS, May 2025.
Archivist salary by state
Where you work changes the paycheck. Archivists earn the most in District of Columbia at $93,040 a year, and the least in Arizona at $47,010. The table below lists every state with published data, ranked by median annual salary.
| State | Median annual | Employed |
|---|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $93,040 | 200 |
| Connecticut | $79,790 | 160 |
| Massachusetts | $78,180 | 270 |
| Rhode Island | $76,990 | 40 |
| Washington | $76,490 | 640 |
| Maryland | $76,440 | 660 |
| New York | $73,860 | 960 |
| California | $70,530 | 1,160 |
| New Jersey | $67,900 | 70 |
| Minnesota | $65,740 | 90 |
| Michigan | $63,890 | 160 |
| Oregon | $61,880 | 70 |
| New Hampshire | $61,410 | 50 |
| Pennsylvania | $60,690 | 360 |
| Missouri | $60,020 | 150 |
| Wisconsin | $59,400 | 220 |
| Illinois | $59,340 | 200 |
| Colorado | $59,210 | 70 |
| Louisiana | $59,070 | 50 |
| Georgia | $59,010 | 150 |
| Iowa | $59,010 | 40 |
| Ohio | $58,790 | 150 |
| Arkansas | $58,560 | 40 |
| Idaho | $58,370 | 30 |
| Alabama | $57,860 | 100 |
| Utah | $56,660 | 80 |
| Maine | $56,260 | 60 |
| North Carolina | $55,370 | 130 |
| Indiana | $54,220 | 70 |
| Delaware | $53,890 | 50 |
| Tennessee | $53,210 | 110 |
| South Carolina | $52,810 | 60 |
| Florida | $52,100 | 100 |
| Oklahoma | $51,940 | 80 |
| Texas | $50,160 | 490 |
| Kansas | $49,200 | 30 |
| Kentucky | $48,810 | 40 |
| Arizona | $47,010 | N/A |
State median wages for archivists (SOC 25-4011), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS state files, May 2025. States where the BLS does not publish a median are not shown.
Job outlook for archivists
The BLS projects employment of archivists to grow 3.4% from 2025 to 2035. That is about as fast as the 3.5% average for all occupations. That works out to roughly 10,300 jobs in 2025 moving toward 10,600 by 2035.
Across the decade, the BLS expects about 1,100 openings a year for archivists. Most come from the need to replace workers who move to other jobs or leave the workforce, on top of any new positions from growth.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program, 2025-35 (Table 1.2, Occupational projections and worker characteristics).
How to become an archivist
The typical entry-level education for archivists is a master's degree, according to the BLS.
Education, training, and experience data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program.
What affects how much an archivist earns
District budget, level taught, degree, and region drive pay, along with years of service on a step-and-lane salary schedule. High cost metros and senior educators land near the top.
Location is one of the clearest factors. The gap between the top paying state (District of Columbia, $93,040) and the lowest (Arizona, $47,010) shows how much geography alone can move the number, before experience or specialization.
About 7,970 people work as archivists in the United States. At $64,550 a year, the job pays above the $50,980 median for all U.S. jobs.
Archivist salary FAQ
How much does an archivist make an hour?
The median hourly wage for an archivist is $31.03. The middle half of archivists earn between $24.37 and $39.92 per hour.
What is the highest archivist salary?
The highest paid 10 percent of archivists earn more than $110,550 per year. Top earners usually have the most experience and work in the best paying regions and industries.
How much does an archivist make a year?
The median annual salary for an archivist is $64,550. The average (mean) wage of $70,640 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
Is being an archivist a well paid job?
At $64,550 a year, an archivist earns above the $50,980 median for all U.S. jobs. About 7,970 people work as archivists in the United States.
Which state pays archivists the most?
District of Columbia has the highest median salary for archivists at $93,040 a year. Connecticut ($79,790) and Massachusetts ($78,180) follow. State medians come from the BLS OEWS state files, May 2025.
Is being an archivist a good career?
Employment of archivists is projected to grow 3.4% from 2025 to 2035, about as fast as the 3.5% average for all occupations. The BLS projects about 1,100 openings each year, from growth and from workers leaving the occupation.
Do you need a degree to become an archivist?
The BLS lists the typical entry-level education for archivists as a master's degree, so a college degree is usually expected.
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