Because so many people in genealogy are hobbyists, and others work only part time, estimating annual salaries can be challenging. In 2024, genealogists earned average hourly pay of $29.22, according to PayScale. For those working full time, this equated to $60,778. Using its own methods of analysis, Glassdoor reported that genealogists earned median annual salaries of $77,590 in 2024, with total pay ranging anywhere from $58,000 to $108,000.
Most genealogists, whether self-employed or working for a genealogy service company, charge by the hour. According to the Association of Professional Genealogists (APG), self-employed genealogists often charge between $30 and $40 an hour. Some experienced genealogists specialize in difficult research and earn higher fees (more than $200 in some cases, according to the APG). For a larger project, like researching and writing an entire family history, a genealogist may charge a single fee, and may request it up front. Genealogists also charge for photocopies, postage, telephone calls, and other expenses incurred during research.
Because the work is not steady or guaranteed, genealogists usually develop ways to supplement their income. As noted earlier, they might write articles for magazines and journals or write a book on how to trace family history. Qualified genealogists might teach courses in family history at community colleges, public libraries, or other adult education venues.
- Anthropologists
- Archaeologists
- Conservators and Conservation Technicians
- Demographers
- Economists
- Education Directors and Museum Teachers
- Ethnoscientists
- Futurists
- Genealogical Researchers
- Geographers
- Historians
- Historic Preservationists
- Lexicographers
- Linguists
- Medical Ethicists
- Political Scientists
- Sociologists
- Statisticians