Researches family trees and DNA matches for legal purposes, such as finding missing heirs, identifying unknown remains and helping solve cold cases. BLS does not publish separate figures for archivists; it counts them within archivist (SOC 25-4011), whose median pay is $64,550 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Typical entry-level education: Bachelor's degree.
- SOC 25-4011
- Educational Instruction and Library
- Last updated October 9, 2026
At a glance
Forensic Genealogist 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
- Bachelor'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: Investigative Genetic Genealogist, Heir Search Genealogist, Probate Genealogist, Professional Genealogist, Genetic Genealogist.
Pay
How much do Archivists make?
Every forensic genealogist 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 Forensic Genealogist 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.
Getting in
How to become a Forensic Genealogist
There is no single required degree, though many forensic genealogists have backgrounds in history, law, library science or the sciences. Credentials matter: the Board for Certification of Genealogists awards the Certified Genealogist credential through a portfolio review, and the Council for the Advancement of Forensic Genealogy offers a forensic genealogy credential and training institutes.
Many practitioners build skills through genealogy institutes, university certificate programs and years of research experience, then work independently, for heir search firms, or for DNA laboratories that partner with law enforcement. Strong writing and an understanding of evidence standards are essential.
- 1
Typical entry-level education
Bachelor'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 a Forensic Genealogist do?
Forensic genealogists apply genealogical research to legal questions. They locate missing heirs for estates and probate courts, identify next of kin for unclaimed remains, support citizenship and immigration cases, trace land and mineral rights, and help the military identify service members from past conflicts.
A newer branch, investigative genetic genealogy, uses DNA from crime scenes or unidentified remains compared against consumer genealogy databases. Genealogists build family trees from distant DNA matches until they narrow down a likely identity, which law enforcement then confirms. The work relies on vital records, census data, court files, newspapers and archives, and the findings must be documented well enough to stand up in court.
Day-to-day tasks
- Research vital records, census data and court files to build family trees
- Locate missing or unknown heirs for estates and probate cases
- Analyze DNA match lists to identify unknown persons
- Write proof arguments and reports for attorneys and courts
- Testify or prepare affidavits about research findings
- Search archives, newspapers and land records
- Follow evidence and documentation standards for legal work
- Coordinate with law enforcement, medical examiners or attorneys
Typical tasks, researched by NueCareer from the sources below.
Working conditions and hours
Most forensic genealogists work at a desk, often from home or a small office, using online databases and records. Some travel to courthouses, archives and libraries. Many are self-employed and work on contract for attorneys, courts or agencies, and casework can be emotionally heavy when it involves violent crimes or unidentified remains.
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.
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 a Forensic Genealogist?
NueCareer estimate (Holland code ICA) built on O*NET's Archivist profile, scored 1 to 7
| Axis | Forensic Genealogist |
|---|---|
| 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
- Investigative5.1
- Artistic3.5
- Social3.0
- 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 Forensic Genealogist
O*NET related occupations
- Educational Instruction and Library
- Educational Instruction and Library
- Life, Physical, and Social Science
- Educational Instruction and Library
- Computer and Mathematical
- Educational Instruction and Library
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
- Forensic Genealogist$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 |
| Forensic Genealogist | $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
Lists Forensic Genealogist appears on
Questions
Forensic Genealogist: frequently asked questions
How much do Archivists make?
BLS does not publish a separate wage for archivists. It counts them within archivist, whose median pay is $64,550 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025). The middle half of that occupation earn between $50,680 and $83,020, and the top 10% earn $110,550 or more.
Do you need a degree to become a Forensic Genealogist?
Yes. BLS reports a bachelor'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 Forensic Genealogist 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 a Forensic Genealogist do?
Forensic genealogists apply genealogical research to legal questions. A typical task: research vital records, census data and court files to build family trees. 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 a Forensic Genealogist?
O*NET scores Archivists highest on the Conventional, Investigative and Artistic 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 the closest types are ISTJ, INTJ. Personality is a fit signal, not a gate. The free NueCareer quiz scores your own profile against all 1,731 careers in the bank.