Historian Salary in 2026
How Much Do Historians Make?
Historians earn a median annual salary of $74,050 as of 2026, based on BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) data. Wages span from $38,630 at the 10th percentile to $128,500 at the 90th percentile — a range of $89,870. The highest-paying state is District of Columbia at $117,960.
| Percentile | Annual salary |
|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $38,630 |
| 25th percentile | $55,190 |
| Median (50th) | $74,050 |
| 75th percentile | $96,330 |
| 90th percentile | $128,500 |
Historian Salary by State
Median annual salary across all 50 states. Click a column to sort.
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| District of Columbiatop | $117,960 |
| North Carolina | $101,440 |
| Maryland | $99,300 |
| Washington | $94,760 |
| Virginia | $94,060 |
| Illinois | $92,020 |
| Connecticut | $88,890 |
| Florida | $84,590 |
| Minnesota | $84,160 |
| Texas | $84,160 |
| California | $83,360 |
| Hawaii | $82,550 |
| Oregon | $76,830 |
| Nevada | $75,640 |
| New Jersey | $74,690 |
| Pennsylvania | $72,720 |
| Louisiana | $72,250 |
| Alabama | $71,070 |
| Missouri | $69,580 |
| Kansas | $68,310 |
| Indiana | $60,800 |
| Michigan | $59,520 |
| Georgia | $59,410 |
| Oklahoma | $53,440 |
| South Carolina | $51,980 |
| New York | $51,620 |
| Kentucky | $49,940 |
| Mississippi | $44,800 |
| Utah | $32,000 |
Highest-Paying Metros for Historians
Historian 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) | ~$38,630 – $55,190 |
| Mid career (3–7 yrs) | ~$74,050 |
| Experienced (8–15 yrs) | ~$96,330 |
| Senior (15+ yrs) | $128,500+ |
How to Earn More as a Historian
Location is the single biggest salary lever: Historians in District of Columbia earn $117,960 — $43,910 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 ($96,330) typically requires 5–10 years of experience plus specialization in a high-demand area.
Want to see if a different career pays more for your skills? PathScorer maps your experience against hundreds of occupations and shows you where you're most competitive. Try it free →
Historian Salary vs Similar Careers
| Career | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Historianthis career | $74,050 |
| Sociologist | $101,690 |
| Anthropologists and Archeologist | $64,910 |
| Geographer | $97,200 |
| Social Science Research Assistant | $58,040 |
Find out where you stand — free in 2 minutes
PathScorer compares your skills to Historian requirements and shows you what you already qualify for — plus which similar careers pay more for your background.
See how your skills compare — freeFrequently Asked Questions
SOC: 19-3093.00 · Data: BLS OEWS 2026, O*NET 29.1 · Salary figures are national medians unless otherwise noted.