Historians Salary by State
The national median pay for historians is $76,750 a year. By state, it ranges from $33,840 in Utah to $121,710 in Massachusetts.
Updated October 2026 · Data: BLS OEWS May 2025 · How we match careers
U.S. pay range
- Lowest 10%
- $42,730
- 25th percentile
- $57,290
- Median
- $76,750
- 75th percentile
- $99,990
- Top 10%
- $131,810
Annual pay, all U.S. workers in this job. About 3,450 jobs.
Median pay in 34 states and DC
| # | State | Median | vs. U.S. | Lowest 10% | Top 10% | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Massachusetts | $121,710 | +59% | $59,330 | $127,160 | Not published |
| 2 | Maryland | $120,580 | +57% | $68,260 | $170,980 | 50 |
| 3 | District of Columbia | $118,290 | +54% | $60,160 | $156,750 | 250 |
| 4 | Minnesota | $103,040 | +34% | $72,040 | $147,950 | 50 |
| 5 | Virginia | $101,920 | +33% | $65,680 | $161,470 | 180 |
| 6 | Washington | $99,720 | +30% | $65,480 | $116,840 | 30 |
| 7 | Oregon | $99,560 | +30% | $66,420 | $121,280 | 40 |
| 8 | California | $97,420 | +27% | $60,620 | $146,220 | 210 |
| 9 | Hawaii | $92,520 | +21% | $80,290 | $143,020 | 70 |
| 10 | Illinois | $89,670 | +17% | $71,190 | $111,650 | Not published |
| 11 | Louisiana | $80,620 | +5% | $52,960 | $115,210 | 60 |
| 12 | Nevada | $80,140 | +4% | $78,030 | $108,620 | Not published |
| 13 | Texas | $78,240 | +2% | $37,600 | $116,900 | 130 |
| 14 | New Jersey | $77,080 | 0% | $51,390 | $105,930 | 130 |
| 15 | Florida | $74,740 | −3% | $44,280 | $112,260 | 110 |
| 16 | North Carolina | $73,440 | −4% | $42,980 | $116,620 | 120 |
| 17 | Kansas | $72,600 | −5% | $49,610 | $124,950 | 40 |
| 18 | Alabama | $72,490 | −6% | $42,300 | $122,930 | 60 |
| 19 | Pennsylvania | $71,970 | −6% | $55,350 | $96,100 | 70 |
| 20 | Tennessee | $71,080 | −7% | $47,090 | $92,270 | 40 |
| 21 | Nebraska | $70,050 | −9% | $48,840 | $128,940 | 30 |
| 22 | New Mexico | $66,790 | −13% | $32,760 | $122,770 | 40 |
| 23 | Connecticut | $66,770 | −13% | $38,960 | $116,130 | 40 |
| 24 | Missouri | $64,230 | −16% | $38,270 | $105,060 | 50 |
| 25 | Georgia | $63,840 | −17% | $51,430 | $117,780 | 110 |
| 26 | Indiana | $63,770 | −17% | $43,320 | $125,290 | 30 |
| 27 | Kentucky | $63,530 | −17% | $42,260 | $98,530 | 50 |
| 28 | New York | $62,960 | −18% | $34,300 | $107,970 | 410 |
| 29 | Michigan | $62,920 | −18% | $52,480 | $86,030 | 80 |
| 30 | Ohio | $60,350 | −21% | $57,540 | $99,690 | Not published |
| 31 | South Carolina | $52,120 | −32% | $39,090 | $97,470 | 60 |
| 32 | Oklahoma | $50,980 | −34% | $39,290 | $88,710 | 50 |
| 33 | Mississippi | $46,010 | −40% | $34,760 | $69,760 | 90 |
| 34 | Wisconsin | $45,810 | −40% | $37,510 | $84,590 | 50 |
| 35 | Utah | $33,840 | −56% | $33,840 | $95,300 | 80 |
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.
Historians salary questions
Which state pays historians the most?
Massachusetts, with a median of $121,710 a year (+59% vs. the national median of $76,750). BLS May 2025.
Which state pays historians the least?
Utah, with a median of $33,840 a year (−56% vs. national).
Where do most historians work?
New York has the most jobs, about 410, with a median of $62,960.
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.