How much does a archivist make?

The median pay is $31.03 per hour — roughly $64,500 a year, with the real range running from about $19.22/hr (10th percentile) to $53.15/hr (90th percentile). Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Do you need a degree to be a archivist?

The typical entry-level education is: Master's degree. Overall preparation level: extensive preparation (Job Zone 5 of 5).

What does a archivist actually do all day?

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.

Education

Archivists

Appraise, edit, and direct safekeeping of permanent records and historically valuable documents. Participate in research activities based on archival materials.

What it pays
Archivists earn a median of $31.03/hr — about $64,500 a year. The lowest-paid 10% earn $19.22/hr; the top 10% earn $53.15/hr. (Annual figures are approximate: hourly × 2,080.)

What you'd actually do

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.
Direct activities of workers who assist in arranging, cataloguing, exhibiting, and maintaining collections of valuable materials.

How you get there

Typical entry-level education: Master's degree. Overall preparation: extensive preparation (Job Zone 5 of 5).

The feel of the work

The work is mostly indoors; much of the day is spent working solo. (Compared against the other 818 careers in the guide.)

Working for yourself

About 10.4% of archivists are self-employed.

Who it tends to fit

This work tends to fit people who are organized and detail-focused, analytical and people-focused.

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Quick questions

How much does a archivist make?: The median pay is $31.03 per hour — roughly $64,500 a year, with the real range running from about $19.22/hr (10th percentile) to $53.15/hr (90th percentile). Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Do you need a degree to be a archivist?: The typical entry-level education is: Master's degree. Overall preparation level: extensive preparation (Job Zone 5 of 5).
What does a archivist actually do all day?: 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.

Wages: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS. Tasks & interests: O*NET. Career pathways shown in the app are draft archetypes — verify before relying on them. Trailhead is a free career guide for students — honest numbers, no hype.

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