How much does a historian make?
The median historian in the United States earns $76,750 per year, about $36.90 an hour. That is the midpoint of the profession: half of all historians earn more, and half earn less.
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025. SOC code 19-3093.
Historian salary range
Pay for historians spans a wide band. The lowest paid 10 percent earn under $42,730 a year, while the highest paid 10 percent take home more than $131,810. The average (mean) wage of $81,240 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 | $42,730 | $20.55 | Lowest paid |
| 25th percentile | $57,290 | $27.54 | |
| Median (50th) | $76,750 | $36.90 | Midpoint |
| 75th percentile | $99,990 | $48.07 | |
| 90th percentile | $131,810 | $63.37 | Highest paid |
Figures are national wage estimates for historians (SOC 19-3093), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS, May 2025.
Historian salary by state
Where you work changes the paycheck. Historians earn the most in Massachusetts at $121,710 a year, and the least in Utah at $33,840. The table below lists every state with published data, ranked by median annual salary.
| State | Median annual | Employed |
|---|---|---|
| Massachusetts | $121,710 | N/A |
| Maryland | $120,580 | 50 |
| District of Columbia | $118,290 | 250 |
| Minnesota | $103,040 | 50 |
| Virginia | $101,920 | 180 |
| Washington | $99,720 | 30 |
| Oregon | $99,560 | 40 |
| California | $97,420 | 210 |
| Hawaii | $92,520 | 70 |
| Illinois | $89,670 | N/A |
| Louisiana | $80,620 | 60 |
| Nevada | $80,140 | N/A |
| Texas | $78,240 | 130 |
| New Jersey | $77,080 | 130 |
| Florida | $74,740 | 110 |
| North Carolina | $73,440 | 120 |
| Kansas | $72,600 | 40 |
| Alabama | $72,490 | 60 |
| Pennsylvania | $71,970 | 70 |
| Tennessee | $71,080 | 40 |
| Nebraska | $70,050 | 30 |
| New Mexico | $66,790 | 40 |
| Connecticut | $66,770 | 40 |
| Missouri | $64,230 | 50 |
| Georgia | $63,840 | 110 |
| Indiana | $63,770 | 30 |
| Kentucky | $63,530 | 50 |
| New York | $62,960 | 410 |
| Michigan | $62,920 | 80 |
| Ohio | $60,350 | N/A |
| South Carolina | $52,120 | 60 |
| Oklahoma | $50,980 | 50 |
| Mississippi | $46,010 | 90 |
| Wisconsin | $45,810 | 50 |
| Utah | $33,840 | 80 |
State median wages for historians (SOC 19-3093), 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 historians
The BLS projects employment of historians to grow 3% from 2025 to 2035. That is about as fast as the 3.5% average for all occupations. That works out to roughly 3,800 jobs in 2025 moving toward 3,900 by 2035.
Across the decade, the BLS expects about 300 openings a year for historians. 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 a historian
The typical entry-level education for historians 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 a historian earns
Degree level, employer type, and field of research drive the numbers. Roles in private industry and government labs often pay above academic and entry-level positions.
Location is one of the clearest factors. The gap between the top paying state (Massachusetts, $121,710) and the lowest (Utah, $33,840) shows how much geography alone can move the number, before experience or specialization.
About 3,450 people work as historians in the United States. At $76,750 a year, the job pays above the $50,980 median for all U.S. jobs.
Historian salary FAQ
How much does a historian make an hour?
The median hourly wage for a historian is $36.90. The middle half of historians earn between $27.54 and $48.07 per hour.
What is the highest historian salary?
The highest paid 10 percent of historians earn more than $131,810 per year. Top earners usually have the most experience and work in the best paying regions and industries.
How much does a historian make a year?
The median annual salary for a historian is $76,750. The average (mean) wage of $81,240 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
Is being a historian a well paid job?
At $76,750 a year, a historian earns above the $50,980 median for all U.S. jobs. About 3,450 people work as historians in the United States.
Which state pays historians the most?
Massachusetts has the highest median salary for historians at $121,710 a year. Maryland ($120,580) and District of Columbia ($118,290) follow. State medians come from the BLS OEWS state files, May 2025.
Is being a historian a good career?
Employment of historians is projected to grow 3% from 2025 to 2035, about as fast as the 3.5% average for all occupations. The BLS projects about 300 openings each year, from growth and from workers leaving the occupation.
Do you need a degree to become a historian?
The BLS lists the typical entry-level education for historians as a master's degree, so a college degree is usually expected.
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