Archivists

Salaries for archivists vary considerably by institution and may depend on education and experience. People employed by the federal government or by prestigious museums generally earn more than those working for small organizations. The U.S. Department of Labor reports that the median annual salary for all archivists was $59,910 in May 2023. The lowest paid 10 percent earned $37,720 or less, while the highest paid 10 percent earned $103,000 or more. Archivists employed by federal, state, and local government agencies earned average annual salaries of $103,550. In June 2024, Salary.com reported the median salary for archivists was $54,505.

Archivists who work for large corporations, institutions, or government agencies generally receive a full range of benefits, including health care coverage, vacation days, paid holidays, paid sick time, and retirement savings plans. Self-employed archival consultants usually have to provide their own benefits. All archivists have the added benefit of working with rare and unique materials. They have the opportunity to work with history and create documentation of the past.