Archivist Salary in 2026
How Much Do Archivists Make?
Archivists earn a median annual salary of $61,570 as of 2026, based on BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) data. Wages span from $39,330 at the 10th percentile to $104,780 at the 90th percentile — a range of $65,450. The highest-paying state is District of Columbia at $92,100.
| Percentile | Annual salary |
|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $39,330 |
| 25th percentile | $47,890 |
| Median (50th) | $61,570 |
| 75th percentile | $79,850 |
| 90th percentile | $104,780 |
Archivist Salary by State
Median annual salary across all 50 states. Click a column to sort.
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| District of Columbiatop | $92,100 |
| New Mexico | $83,770 |
| Maryland | $75,330 |
| New York | $74,880 |
| Rhode Island | $74,140 |
| Virginia | $72,220 |
| Massachusetts | $71,790 |
| Washington | $70,400 |
| Illinois | $69,590 |
| New Jersey | $67,080 |
| Nevada | $66,940 |
| Oregon | $63,770 |
| Minnesota | $63,230 |
| California | $62,160 |
| Wisconsin | $60,570 |
| New Hampshire | $60,350 |
| Colorado | $59,950 |
| Alabama | $58,390 |
| Indiana | $57,100 |
| Pennsylvania | $57,000 |
| Georgia | $56,170 |
| Arkansas | $55,030 |
| Maine | $54,150 |
| Texas | $53,970 |
| Michigan | $53,590 |
| North Carolina | $52,880 |
| Delaware | $51,710 |
| Utah | $51,250 |
| Ohio | $51,100 |
| Missouri | $50,480 |
| Oklahoma | $49,840 |
| Arizona | $48,920 |
| Tennessee | $47,950 |
| Kansas | $47,470 |
| South Carolina | $47,420 |
| Connecticut | $46,730 |
| Florida | $45,830 |
| Kentucky | $42,670 |
| Louisiana | $35,550 |
Highest-Paying Metros for Archivists
Archivist Salary by Experience
Estimated salary ranges derived from BLS wage percentiles. Entry level corresponds to P10–P25, mid-career to the median, experienced to P75, and senior to P90+.
| Experience level | Estimated salary |
|---|---|
| Entry level (0–2 yrs) | ~$39,330 – $47,890 |
| Mid career (3–7 yrs) | ~$61,570 |
| Experienced (8–15 yrs) | ~$79,850 |
| Senior (15+ yrs) | $104,780+ |
How to Earn More as an Archivist
Location is the single biggest salary lever: Archivists in District of Columbia earn $92,100 — $30,530 above the national median. An advanced credential — such as a graduate degree or specialized certification — is consistently associated with higher earnings in this field. Reaching the 75th percentile ($79,850) typically requires 5–10 years of experience plus specialization in a high-demand area.
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Archivist Salary vs Similar Careers
| Career | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Archivistthis career | $61,570 |
| Document Management Specialist | $108,970 |
| Anthropologists and Archeologist | $64,910 |
| Historian | $74,050 |
| Social Science Research Assistant | $58,040 |
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SOC: 25-4011.00 · Data: BLS OEWS 2026, O*NET 29.1 · Salary figures are national medians unless otherwise noted.