Archivists Salary by State
The national median pay for archivists is $64,550 a year. By state, it ranges from $47,010 in Arizona to $93,040 in District of Columbia.
Updated October 2026 · Data: BLS OEWS May 2025 · How we match careers
U.S. pay range
- Lowest 10%
- $39,970
- 25th percentile
- $50,680
- Median
- $64,550
- 75th percentile
- $83,020
- Top 10%
- $110,550
Annual pay, all U.S. workers in this job. About 7,970 jobs.
Median pay in 37 states and DC
| # | State | Median | vs. U.S. | Lowest 10% | Top 10% | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | District of Columbia | $93,040 | +44% | $62,400 | $128,610 | 200 |
| 2 | Connecticut | $79,790 | +24% | $34,500 | $119,190 | 160 |
| 3 | Massachusetts | $78,180 | +21% | $52,240 | $117,080 | 270 |
| 4 | Rhode Island | $76,990 | +19% | $43,140 | $116,650 | 40 |
| 5 | Washington | $76,490 | +18% | $52,910 | $104,020 | 640 |
| 6 | Maryland | $76,440 | +18% | $52,080 | $131,810 | 660 |
| 7 | New York | $73,860 | +14% | $48,080 | $115,580 | 960 |
| 8 | California | $70,530 | +9% | $43,540 | $122,190 | 1,160 |
| 9 | New Jersey | $67,900 | +5% | $48,930 | $114,390 | 70 |
| 10 | Minnesota | $65,740 | +2% | $42,380 | $72,140 | 90 |
| 11 | Michigan | $63,890 | −1% | $39,070 | $110,780 | 160 |
| 12 | Oregon | $61,880 | −4% | $42,070 | $79,100 | 70 |
| 13 | New Hampshire | $61,410 | −5% | $38,400 | $93,330 | 50 |
| 14 | Pennsylvania | $60,690 | −6% | $39,950 | $89,610 | 360 |
| 15 | Missouri | $60,020 | −7% | $40,950 | $108,080 | 150 |
| 16 | Wisconsin | $59,400 | −8% | $37,440 | $84,300 | 220 |
| 17 | Illinois | $59,340 | −8% | $47,500 | $96,360 | 200 |
| 18 | Colorado | $59,210 | −8% | $37,160 | $106,870 | 70 |
| 19 | Louisiana | $59,070 | −8% | $37,990 | $85,790 | 50 |
| 20 | Georgia | $59,010 | −9% | $41,480 | $96,820 | 150 |
| 21 | Iowa | $59,010 | −9% | $27,630 | $79,290 | 40 |
| 22 | Ohio | $58,790 | −9% | $39,610 | $81,010 | 150 |
| 23 | Arkansas | $58,560 | −9% | $26,660 | $112,260 | 40 |
| 24 | Idaho | $58,370 | −10% | $38,390 | $78,090 | 30 |
| 25 | Alabama | $57,860 | −10% | $38,670 | $93,640 | 100 |
| 26 | Utah | $56,660 | −12% | $48,400 | $73,370 | 80 |
| 27 | Maine | $56,260 | −13% | $45,090 | $82,110 | 60 |
| 28 | North Carolina | $55,370 | −14% | $33,280 | $79,990 | 130 |
| 29 | Indiana | $54,220 | −16% | $43,320 | $75,490 | 70 |
| 30 | Delaware | $53,890 | −17% | $40,540 | $72,480 | 50 |
| 31 | Tennessee | $53,210 | −18% | $38,790 | $78,740 | 110 |
| 32 | South Carolina | $52,810 | −18% | $36,990 | $79,420 | 60 |
| 33 | Florida | $52,100 | −19% | $35,370 | $82,640 | 100 |
| 34 | Oklahoma | $51,940 | −20% | $32,170 | $77,250 | 80 |
| 35 | Texas | $50,160 | −22% | $35,090 | $80,370 | 490 |
| 36 | Kansas | $49,200 | −24% | $31,200 | $90,060 | 30 |
| 37 | Kentucky | $48,810 | −24% | $38,820 | $67,610 | 40 |
| 38 | Arizona | $47,010 | −27% | $31,200 | $66,790 | Not published |
BLS OEWS May 2025 state estimates. States without published data are not listed. “Not published”: BLS withheld the value or it is above the highest amount BLS publishes. Pay is not adjusted for living costs.
Archivists salary questions
Which state pays archivists the most?
District of Columbia, with a median of $93,040 a year (+44% vs. the national median of $64,550). BLS May 2025.
Which state pays archivists the least?
Arizona, with a median of $47,010 a year (−27% vs. national).
Where do most archivists work?
California has the most jobs, about 1,160, with a median of $70,530.
Does a higher salary mean more money left over?
Not always. These are pay figures only. Living costs, taxes and housing differ a lot between states, and this page does not adjust for them.