The median pay for Archivists is $64,550 a year ($31.03/hr), according to BLS OEWS, May 2025. Employment is projected to grow 3.4% through 2035, with about 1,100 openings a year (BLS EP, 2025–2035). Typical entry-level education: Master's degree.
- SOC 25-4011
- Educational Instruction and Library
- Last updated October 9, 2026
At a glance
Archivist in four numbers
- Median pay
- $64,550a year, or $31.03/hrBLS OEWS, May 2025Lowest 10% $40KTop 10% $111K
US median, all jobs: $50,980
- Projected growth
- +3.4%About as fast as averageBLS EP, 2025–2035This career+3.4%All jobs+3.5%
Projected employment change, 2025–2035 Item Value This career +3.4% All jobs +3.5% - Openings a year
- 1,10010,300 jobs todayBLS EP, 2025–2035
- Jobs in 202510.3K
- Projected 203510.6K
Employment, 2025–2035 Item Value Jobs in 2025 10.3K Projected 2035 10.6K - Typical education
- Master'sneeded to enterBLS EP, 2025–2035; mix: O*NET
- Bachelor's6.5%
- Post-bacc certificate3.2%
- Master's83.9%
- Post-master’s certificate6.5%
Highest education held by archivists Segment Value Bachelor's 6.5% Post-bacc certificate 3.2% Master's 83.9% Post-master’s certificate 6.5%
Also advertised as: Accessioning Archivist, Archivist, Digital Archivist, Film Archivist, Museum Archivist, Records Manager.
Pay
How much do Archivists make?
Every archivist in the US, by percentile of annual wage
Median
$64,550
Middle half earn $50,680 to $83,020
- 10th
- $39,970
- 25th
- $50,680
- 75th
- $83,020
- 90th
- $110,550
All US occupations: $50,980
| Percentile | Value |
|---|---|
| 10th | $39,970 |
| 25th | $50,680 |
| Median | $64,550 |
| 75th | $83,020 |
| 90th | $110,550 |
| All US occupations | $50,980 |
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025
- Median annual wage
- $64,550
- Median hourly wage
- $31.03/hr
- Mean annual wage
- $70,640
- People employed
- 7,970
Versus all US occupations
At $64,550, Archivists earn 27% above the $50,980 median across all US occupations, a difference of $13,570 a year.
Versus educational instruction and library occupations
Inside the Educational Instruction and Library group, where the middle occupation pays $68,270, this is 5% below the group median.
Pay range
The top 10% earn $110,550 or more while the bottom 10% earn $39,970, a gap of 2.8×. That is a typical spread for a US occupation.
Rank in the bank
This median pays more than 40% of the 1,741 occupations in the NueCareer career bank.
Highest-paying state
District of Columbia pays the most at $93,040, and still leads at $84,658 once local prices are taken into account.
Pay by state
Which states pay Archivists the most?
State medians come from the same OEWS release as the national figures. The cost-of-living column divides each state median by that state's BEA Regional Price Parity, restating pay in national-average dollars so a high-cost state and a low-cost one can be compared directly.
| State | Median | COL-adjusted | Employed |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1District of Columbia | $93,040 | $84,658 | 200 |
| 2Connecticut | $79,790 | $77,010 | 160 |
| 3Massachusetts | $78,180 | $73,924 | 270 |
| 4Rhode Island | $76,990 | $75,274 | 40 |
| 5Washington | $76,490 | $71,477 | 640 |
| 6Maryland | $76,440 | $72,828 | 660 |
| 7New York | $73,860 | $68,439 | 960 |
| 8California | $70,530 | $63,701 | 1,160 |
| 9New Jersey | $67,900 | $62,405 | 70 |
| 10Minnesota | $65,740 | $66,659 | 90 |
Job outlook
Is Archivist a growing career?
Employment change over 2025–2035, against every US occupation
About as fast as average. +3.4% projected growth vs 3.5% for all occupations.
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Archivists | +3.4% |
| All US occupations | +3.5% |
Source: BLS EP, 2025–2035
About as fast as average
BLS projects employment of Archivists to change 3.4% over 2025–2035, against 3.5% projected for all occupations. That is 300 more jobs.
Annual openings
About 1,100 openings are projected each year, 10.7% of the 10,300 jobs that existed in 2025. Most come from workers leaving the occupation, not from growth alone.
Overall employment of archivists, curators, and museum workers is projected to grow 4 percent from 2025 to 2035, about as fast as the average for all occupations.
Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.
Demand for archivists is expected to increase as public and private organizations have more information and records that need to be organized and made accessible. In particular, the growing use of electronic records may create jobs for archivists.
Continued public interest in museums and other cultural centers is expected to increase the demand for curators, museum technicians, and conservators.
Getting in
How to become an Archivist
Archivists, curators, and conservators typically need a master’s degree; museum technicians typically need a bachelor’s degree. Fields of degree may include fine and performing arts, history, or social science. Experience gained through an internship or by volunteering in archives or museums is helpful.
- 1
Typical entry-level education
Master's degree
- 2
Work experience in a related occupation
None
- 3
Typical on-the-job training
None
- 4
Preparation needed (O*NET job zone)
Considerable preparation
BLS Employment Projections, 2025–2035; job zone from O*NET 31.0 Database.
What education people in the job have
O*NET incumbent survey: the highest level of education reported by people already working as archivists.
- Master's Degree83.9%
- Bachelor's Degree6.5%
- Post-Master's Certificate6.5%
- Post-Baccalaureate Certificate3.2%
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Master's Degree | 83.9% |
| Bachelor's Degree | 6.5% |
| Post-Master's Certificate | 6.5% |
| Post-Baccalaureate Certificate | 3.2% |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
The work
What does an Archivist do?
Appraise, edit, and direct safekeeping of permanent records and historically valuable documents. Participate in research activities based on archival materials.
Archivists appraise, process, catalog, and preserve permanent records and historically valuable documents. Curators oversee collections of artwork and historical items and may conduct public service activities for an institution. Museum technicians and conservators prepare and restore objects and documents in museum collections and exhibits.
Day-to-day tasks
- Organize archival records and develop classification systems to facilitate access to archival materials.
- Provide reference services and assistance for users needing archival materials.
- Prepare archival records, such as document descriptions, to allow easy access to information.
- Create and maintain accessible, retrievable computer archives and databases, incorporating current advances in electronic information storage technology.
- Establish and administer policy guidelines concerning public access and use of materials.
- Preserve records, documents, and objects, copying records to film, videotape, audiotape, disk, or computer formats as necessary.
- Research and record the origins and historical significance of archival materials.
- Locate new materials and direct their acquisition and display.
O*NET core tasks, ordered by reported importance.
Working conditions and hours
Most archivists, curators, museum technicians, and conservators work full time.
Archivists in government agencies and corporations generally work during regular business hours. Curators in large institutions may travel extensively to evaluate potential additions to the collection, organize exhibits, and conduct research. For curators in small institutions, however, travel may be rare. Museum technicians may need to work evenings and weekends if their institutions are open to the public during those times.
Where the work happens
Indoors, climate-controlled
NeverEvery dayIndoors, in a climate-controlled space, every day.
Outdoors in all weather
NeverEvery dayAlmost never works outdoors.
Physical demands
Sitting
NeverAlmost all the timeSeated for more than half the working day.
Standing
NeverAlmost all the timeBending or twisting
NeverAlmost all the time
Working with people
Contact with other people
NoneConstantFace-to-face discussions
NeverEvery dayFace-to-face discussions every day.
Dealing with the public
Not importantExtremely importantDealing with customers or the public is very important.
Pressure and stakes
Strict deadlines
NeverEvery dayConflict situations
NeverEvery dayCost of a mistake
Not seriousExtremely serious
Autonomy
Freedom to decide
NoneA lotA lot of freedom to make decisions without checking first.
Schedules: BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2025–2035 edition. Conditions: O*NET Work Context survey. Each item has its own scale, so each dot is read against the two answers that end its own line.
Core skills
O*NET importance, 1 to 5
- Reading Comprehension4.1
- Active Listening3.9
- Writing3.9
- Speaking3.5
- Critical Thinking3.4
- Active Learning3.4
- Monitoring3.0
- Learning Strategies2.9
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Reading Comprehension | 4.1 |
| Active Listening | 3.9 |
| Writing | 3.9 |
| Speaking | 3.5 |
| Critical Thinking | 3.4 |
| Active Learning | 3.4 |
| Monitoring | 3.0 |
| Learning Strategies | 2.9 |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
Transferable skills
O*NET importance, 1 to 5
- Complex Problem Solving3.3
- Service Orientation3.1
- Judgment and Decision Making3.1
- Coordination2.9
- Instructing2.9
- Systems Analysis2.9
- Systems Evaluation2.9
- Time Management2.9
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Complex Problem Solving | 3.3 |
| Service Orientation | 3.1 |
| Judgment and Decision Making | 3.1 |
| Coordination | 2.9 |
| Instructing | 2.9 |
| Systems Analysis | 2.9 |
| Systems Evaluation | 2.9 |
| Time Management | 2.9 |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
Tools and software
- Data base user interface and query software · in demand
- Desktop publishing software · in demand
- Document management software · in demand
- Electronic mail software · in demand
- Enterprise application integration software · in demand
- Graphics or photo imaging software · in demand
- Office suite software · in demand
- Presentation software · in demand
- Spreadsheet software · in demand
- Web platform development software · in demand
- Word processing software · in demand
- Development environment software
“In demand” marks an O*NET Employer-Based Hot Technology, software named in real job postings for this occupation.
Personality fit
What personality type suits an Archivist?
O*NET Occupational Interests (RIASEC), scored 1 to 7
| Axis | Archivist |
|---|---|
| Realistic | 3 |
| Investigative | 5 |
| Artistic | 3 |
| Social | 3 |
| Enterprising | 2 |
| Conventional | 6 |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
What the work is built around
Day to day this is work built around organising, following procedures and working precisely with data, combined with investigating, analysing and solving problems with ideas and data.
- Conventional6.0
- Investigative4.7
- Social3.0
- Artistic2.9
- Realistic2.9
- Enterprising1.8
Closest MBTI types
NueCareer fit scores: cosine similarity between each MBTI type's interest vector and this occupation's O*NET interest profile. Not a BLS or O*NET figure; the method is documented on our methodology page.
Explore further
Careers related to Archivist
O*NET related occupations
- Educational Instruction and Library
- Life, Physical, and Social Science
- Educational Instruction and Library
- Computer and Mathematical
- Educational Instruction and Library
- Life, Physical, and Social Science
More educational instruction and library careers
Median annual pay, with archivists highlighted
- Nursing Instructor and Teacher, Postsecondary$80,250
- Special Education Teacher, Secondary School$74,260
- Librarian$68,270
- Career/Technical Education Teacher, Secondary School$66,270
- Archivist$64,550
- Kindergarten Teacher$62,680
- Library Technician$44,580
- Tutor$43,350
- Preschool Teacher, Except Special Education$38,140
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Nursing Instructor and Teacher, Postsecondary | $80,250 |
| Special Education Teacher, Secondary School | $74,260 |
| Librarian | $68,270 |
| Career/Technical Education Teacher, Secondary School | $66,270 |
| Archivist | $64,550 |
| Kindergarten Teacher | $62,680 |
| Library Technician | $44,580 |
| Tutor | $43,350 |
| Preschool Teacher, Except Special Education | $38,140 |
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025
Specialty careers within archivist
Distinct careers BLS counts inside this occupation, each with its own profile.
Lists Archivist appears on
Questions
Archivist: frequently asked questions
How much do Archivists make?
Archivists earn a median of $64,550 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025), 27% above the $50,980 US median across all occupations. That works out at $31.03/hr. The middle half earn between $50,680 and $83,020. The top 10% earn $110,550 or more.
Do you need a degree to become an Archivist?
Yes. BLS reports a master's degree as the typical entry-level education for Archivists, and O*NET rates the preparation needed as considerable preparation. In O*NET's survey of people already doing the job, 83.9% hold master's degree.
Is Archivist a growing career?
It is stable rather than fast-growing: employment is projected to change 3.4% over 2025–2035, about the same as the 3.5% projected across all occupations (BLS EP, 2025–2035). BLS still projects about 1,100 openings a year, mostly from workers retiring or moving to other work.
What does an Archivist do?
Archivists appraise, process, catalog, and preserve permanent records and historically valuable documents. A core O*NET task: organize archival records and develop classification systems to facilitate access to archival materials. Employers most often ask for Data base user interface and query software, Desktop publishing software, Document management software.
Which states pay Archivists the most?
The highest state medians for Archivists are District of Columbia ($93,040), Connecticut ($79,790), Massachusetts ($78,180) (BLS OEWS, May 2025).
What personality type suits an Archivist?
O*NET scores Archivists highest on the Conventional and Investigative interest areas, so the work mixes organising, following procedures and working precisely with data with investigating, analysing and solving problems with ideas and data. On NueCareer's MBTI-to-interest mapping that lines up most closely with ISTJ personalities. Personality is a fit signal, not a gate. The free NueCareer quiz scores your own profile against all 1,731 careers in the bank.