Archivists
Appraise, edit, and direct safekeeping of permanent records and historically valuable documents. Participate in research activities based on archival materials.
Also called: Accessioning Archivist, Archives Specialist, Archives Technician (Archives Tech), Archivist, Digital Archivist, Digital Asset Archivist
Median pay
$64,550
per year, U.S.
Pay range (10th–90th)
$39,970 – $110,550
People employed
7,970
Holland code
CIS
Conventional · Investigative · Social
Updated October 2026 · Data: O*NET 31.0 and BLS OEWS May 2025 · How we match careers
Is this career right for you?
These are the things that stand out in this job compared with other U.S. jobs (O*NET 31.0 work context). Answer honestly.
- 1.Do you prefer a steady pace without constant deadlines?
- 2.Do you want to stay at 40 hours a week or less?
- 3.Do you want the same hours every week?
- 4.Do you enjoy serving customers or the public?
- 5.Do you prefer doing your own work rather than directing others?
- 6.Are you OK repeating the same tasks most of the day?
Archivists pay by state
Highest-paying states
Annual median pay by state (37 states and DC with published data). Source: BLS OEWS May 2025.
What archivists do
- 01Organize archival records and develop classification systems to facilitate access to archival materials.
- 02Provide reference services and assistance for users needing archival materials.
- 03Prepare archival records, such as document descriptions, to allow easy access to information.
- 04Create and maintain accessible, retrievable computer archives and databases, incorporating current advances in electronic information storage technology.
- 05Establish and administer policy guidelines concerning public access and use of materials.
- 06Direct activities of workers who assist in arranging, cataloguing, exhibiting, and maintaining collections of valuable materials.
Skills that matter most
- Reading Comprehension
- Active Listening
- Writing
- Speaking
- Critical Thinking
- Active Learning
Knowledge
- History and Archeology
- English Language
- Customer and Personal Service
- Computers and Electronics
- Administration and Management
Work styles that stand out
- Dependability
- Attention to Detail
- Integrity
- Cautiousness
- Intellectual Curiosity
Education and first steps
Share of workers by required education, as reported to O*NET.
How people get started
- Usually needs a graduate degree (O*NET Job Zone 5).
- Related work experience: over 6 months, up to and including 1 year.
- On-the-job training: over 6 months, up to and including 1 year.
Most common answers from O*NET 31.0 Education, Training and Experience.
Interest fit (Holland code)
O*NET occupational interest scores, scale 1–7. Take the Free Career Test to compare with your own.
Career changes
Change from archivists
- Historians89% · +19%
- Document Management Specialists85% · group pay
- Library Science Teachers, Postsecondary81% · +24%
- Social Science Research Assistants78% · −4%
- Anthropologists and Archeologists75% · +10%
Change into archivists
Jobs whose skills carry over best (skill match, their median pay).
- Historians85% · $76,750
- Anthropologists and Archeologists75% · $70,770
- Survey Researchers74% · $69,460
- Proofreaders and Copy Markers68% · $51,120
Majors that lead here
- Archives/Archival Administration
- Historic Preservation and Conservation, General
- Cultural Resource Management and Policy Analysis
- Historic Preservation and Conservation, Other
- Museology/Museum Studies
- Digital Humanities and Textual Studies, General
- Digital Humanities
- Textual Studies
- Art History, Criticism and Conservation
- Public/Applied History
From the NCES CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 crosswalk.