Historians
Research, analyze, record, and interpret the past as recorded in sources, such as government and institutional records, newspapers and other periodicals, photographs, interviews, films, electronic media, and unpublished manuscripts, such as personal diaries and letters.
Also called: Architectural Historian, Art Historian, Collections Specialist, County Historian, Dance Historian, Dramatic Arts Historian
Median pay
$76,750
per year, U.S.
Pay range (10th–90th)
$42,730 – $131,810
People employed
3,450
Holland code
ICA
Investigative · Conventional · Artistic
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 variety, with new tasks often?
- 4.Do you enjoy serving customers or the public?
Historians pay by state
Highest-paying states
Annual median pay by state (34 states and DC with published data). Source: BLS OEWS May 2025.
What historians do
- 01Gather historical data from sources such as archives, court records, diaries, news files, and photographs, as well as from books, pamphlets, and periodicals.
- 02Organize data, and analyze and interpret its authenticity and relative significance.
- 03Prepare publications and exhibits, or review those prepared by others, to ensure their historical accuracy.
- 04Organize information for publication and for other means of dissemination, such as via storage media or the Internet.
- 05Conduct historical research as a basis for the identification, conservation, and reconstruction of historic places and materials.
- 06Conserve and preserve manuscripts, records, and other artifacts.
Skills that matter most
- Reading Comprehension
- Critical Thinking
- Writing
- Speaking
- Active Learning
- Active Listening
Knowledge
- History and Archeology
- English Language
- Sociology and Anthropology
- Geography
- Administrative
Work styles that stand out
- Dependability
- Attention to Detail
- Integrity
- 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 2 years, up to and including 4 years.
- On-the-job training: anything beyond short demonstration, up to and including 1 month.
- A certification can help.
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 historians
- Archivists85% · −16%
- History Teachers, Postsecondary81% · +9%
- Curators80% · −17%
- Anthropology and Archeology Teachers, Postsecondary78% · +30%
- Librarians and Media Collections Specialists75% · −11%
Change into historians
Jobs whose skills carry over best (skill match, their median pay).
- Archivists89% · $64,550
- Curators84% · $63,420
- History Teachers, Postsecondary75% · $83,820
- Sociology Teachers, Postsecondary70% · $84,290
- Area, Ethnic, and Cultural Studies Teachers, Postsecondary67% · $85,020
Majors that lead here
- Architectural History and Criticism, General
- Architectural Conservation
- Historic Preservation and Conservation, General
- Cultural Resource Management and Policy Analysis
- Historic Preservation and Conservation, Other
- Medieval and Renaissance Studies
- Holocaust and Related Studies
- Ancient Studies/Civilization
- Classical, Ancient Mediterranean, and Near Eastern Studies and Archaeology
- Classical and Ancient Studies, Other
- Maritime Studies
- History and Language/Literature
From the NCES CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 crosswalk.