Facilities Managers
Median wage · national
$106,660
Range: $82K – $139K
Employed
156K
Openings/yr
13K
Typically: bachelor's degree
HUMANITIES
Archivists
Archivists earn $64,550 nationally at the median. The middle 50% of workers fall between $50,680 and $83,020. Where you land depends on specialization, employer, and experience.
About Archivists
Appraise, edit, and direct safekeeping of permanent records and historically valuable documents. Participate in research activities based on archival materials.
- Median Wage
- $64,550
- Employed Nationally
- 8K
- Openings / Year
- 1,100
- Entry Education
- Master's degree
- Job Zone
- Zone 5: Extensive Preparation
Also known as:
Accessioning Archivist
Archives Specialist
Archives Technician (Archives Tech)
Archivist
Digital Archivist
How Much Do Archivists Make?
Archivists earn $64,550 nationally, near the national median for college graduates. The middle 50% of earners fall between $50,680 and $83,020. Actual pay varies by employer, specialization, and location.
$64,550
National Median (Annual)
Near the national median for college graduates.
$51K–$83K
Middle 50% Range
25th to 75th percentile. Most workers earn within this band.
Earnings Range
$50,680
Entry-level
$64,550
Median
$83,020
Experienced
What Do Archivists Do?
O*NET data identifies 5 core activities and 5 measurable skills for Archivists roles. Use this section to judge whether the day-to-day reality aligns with what you actually want to spend time doing.
What You'll 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.
Core Skills Employers Look For
Reading Comprehension
Active Listening
Writing
Speaking
Active Learning
Who Thrives Here
C
Conventional
Success depends on precision and structured processes, where detail-oriented people who work consistently within established systems perform best.
I
Investigative
This career demands analytical thinking: researching problems, interpreting data, and applying logical reasoning to find practical solutions.
S
Social
Working closely with people, teaching, advising, or helping others navigate challenges is a defining feature of this career's daily work.
Where Do Archivists Work?
What the physical and mental conditions of this job actually look like day to day, based on O*NET Work Context data collected from people working in this occupation.
Work Setting
Mixed
Split between indoor and outdoor or field settings.
Physical Demands
Light
Mix of sitting and movement throughout the day.
Stress Level
Moderate
Moderate pressure. Regular deadlines exist but are generally manageable with experience.
What Is the Job Outlook for Archivists?
The BLS projects +3.8% employment change for Archivists through 2034, below the national average of +5%. About 1,100 openings per year keep the field accessible to new entrants.
↗ +3.8%
10-Year Growth (2024–2034)
About as fast as average.
1,100
Annual Openings
New positions plus replacements for retirees and career-changers.
8K
Currently Employed
Total US employment as of BLS May 2024.
Source: BLS Employment Projections 2024–2034 and Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics May 2024.
Where the Jobs Are
The five states below employ the most Archivists professionals nationwide. State-level wages can differ significantly from the $64,550 national median. Research your specific market before committing to a program.
| # | State | Jobs | Median Wage | vs. National |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | New York | 900 | $74,880 | +16.0% |
| 2 | California | 860 | $62,160 | -3.7% |
| 3 | Washington | 630 | $70,400 | +9.1% |
| 4 | Maryland | 540 | $75,330 | +16.7% |
| 5 | Pennsylvania | 330 | $57,000 | -11.7% |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2024. Employment figures rounded. Read our methodology →
How to Get Here
Most Archivists positions require a master's degree to qualify. The 6 programs below are the most common academic pathways into this field, ranked by how many graduates they produce each year.
Typical Entry Education
Master's degree
Job Zone
Zone 5: Extensive Preparation
Extensive education (usually a master's or doctoral degree) plus years of field experience is required to qualify for most positions.
Degree Programs That Lead Here
| # | Program | Graduates/yr | 4yr Median | Colleges |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Fine Arts | 36,332 | $41,367 | 1,458 |
| 2 | History | 31,255 | $50,680 | 1,474 |
| 3 | Library Science and Administration | 6,224 | $36,949 | 84 |
| 4 | Museology/Museum Studies | 892 | $36,787 | 95 |
| 5 | Historic Preservation and Conservation | 423 | $49,728 | 80 |
| 6 | Digital Humanities and Textual Studies | 54 | — | 18 |
Top Colleges for Aspiring Archivists
Colleges offering the degree programs that lead to this career, ranked by UCD Score. A strong program plus solid outcomes is a good place to begin your search.
| # | College | UCD Score | Net Price | Salary 10yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | United States Naval Academy Annapolis, MD | 97 | — | — |
| 2 | United States Air Force Academy USAF Academy, CO | 96 | — | — |
| 3 | United States Military Academy West Point, NY | 96 | — | — |
| 4 | Princeton University Princeton, NJ | 94 | $6,128 | $110,066 |
| 5 | CUNY Bernard M Baruch College New York, NY | 93 | $3,033 | $75,971 |
| 6 | University of California-Los Angeles Los Angeles, CA | 93 | $12,548 | $82,511 |
Plan Your Path
Once you've sized up Archivists, these tools turn the numbers into a plan. Estimate the real cost of a degree that leads here, weigh the long-term payoff, compare specific colleges side-by-side, and find programs that match your profile.
College ROI Calculator
See if the degree that leads to Archivists pays off. Weighs each college's cost against the earnings graduates see.
College Cost Calculator
Enter a budget and see the colleges whose net price fits, with the out-of-pocket cost and likely loan load for each.
Compare Colleges
Put any 2–4 colleges side-by-side. Admissions, cost, outcomes, and earnings, all on one screen, no tab-hopping.
College Match Quiz
Answer six quick questions and see your best-fit colleges ranked by budget, field of study, and what matters most to you.
Archivists Pros & Cons
The data on Archivists shows 1 measurable strengths and 1 real trade-offs. All points are drawn from BLS wage data, employment projections, and IPEDS program completions.
PROS
- Competitive salary $64,550 median wage puts this career near or above the national average for bachelor's degree holders.
CONS
- High education requirement Most employers require a master's degree, typically 6 to 10+ years of higher education before earning full wages. Factor tuition costs into your ROI calculation.
Archivists Frequently Asked Questions
How much do Archivists professionals earn?
The national median annual wage for Archivists is $64,550, near the national median for full-time workers. The middle 50% of earners fall between $50,680 and $83,020. Pay varies by employer size, industry sector, specialization, and geography. National figures are a starting point, not a guarantee.
Is Archivists a good career?
Yes, for the right person, but the commitment is significant. The $64,550 median wage reflects years of training most workers invest, and the path to a first career-level role typically spans 8 to 12 or more years. Job growth of +3.8% through 2034 means demand is real. The harder question is whether the education investment at your specific program will pay off. School selection matters enormously at this preparation level.
How long does it take to become a Archivists?
Plan on 8 to 12 or more years of combined education and supervised training before qualifying for career-level roles. A master's degree is the typical minimum credential. Degree programs like Fine Arts are typical entry paths. Early-career pay during this ramp-up period will be meaningfully below the $64,550 national median. Factor that gap into any program ROI calculation.
Is a master's degree worth it to become a Archivists?
It depends heavily on program cost. At $64,550 median, expensive graduate school debt can take 20 or more years to recover. In-state public schools, employer-sponsored programs, or income-driven repayment make the strongest case. School choice (specifically tuition cost and your expected local job market) matters as much as the credential itself.
What is the job outlook for Archivists?
The BLS projects +3.8% employment change for Archivists through 2034, about as fast as average compared to all occupations. About 1,100 job openings per year are projected, including new positions and replacements for workers who retire or change careers. 8K people currently work in this occupation nationwide (BLS May 2024).
What skills do Archivists professionals need?
O*NET data identifies the core skills employers consistently prioritize for Archivists roles: Reading Comprehension, Active Listening, Writing, Speaking, and Active Learning. These develop through formal education and hands-on work. Programs with internship or co-op requirements give you a meaningful head start on the ones that take time to build.
Related Findings
-
10 Six-Figure Careers That Do Not Need a Bachelor's Degree
Air traffic controllers earn more than the typical bachelor's-degree career, with an associate degree. The occupations that pay six figures without four years of college.
- No bachelor degree
- High paying careers
- Associate degree
- Trades
- Median wage
-
Does a Master's Degree Pay Off? Barely, on Average
Group every career by the degree it requires and master's-level jobs pay a median of about $91,000, statistically tied with bachelor's-level work. The premium hides in a few fields.
- Master's degree
- Bachelor's degree
- Median wage
- Graduate school
- Career outcomes
-
Growing and Paying $80K Plus: The Careers That Do Both
Only 95 of 385 federal careers both pay a median above $80,000 and grow faster than the typical job. Here is the rare set that clears both bars.
- Career growth
- Median wage
- High-paying careers
- Job outlook
- Career change
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