Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025, aged to 2026 using compounded market movement. State selections show BLS state-level figures where published. Actual pay varies with experience, industry, and organization size.
Base salary plus target annual bonus. Target bonus opportunity scales with role level, so a higher base carries a higher target percentage.
Base salary
$73,000
National baseline
Target bonus
$8,000
10.8% of base
Total target cash
$81,000
Base plus target bonus
Bonus percentiles:25th$5,00050th$8,00075th$13,000
Long-term incentive is not shown for this role. Equity awards are only disclosed publicly for the named executive officers of public companies, so no market figure exists for most jobs. See executive pay disclosures.
Typical entry preparation: Master's Degree and 2 to 5 years of related work experience, per O*NET occupational data. Advancement typically requires additional years in role.
Organize archival records and develop classification systems to facilitate access to archival materials.
Provide reference services and assistance for users needing archival materials.
Prepare archival records, such as document descriptions, to allow easy access to information.
Create and maintain accessible, retrievable computer archives and databases, incorporating current advances in electronic information storage technology.
Establish and administer policy guidelines concerning public access and use of materials.
Top skills:Reading ComprehensionWritingActive ListeningSpeakingCritical ThinkingActive Learning
Includes information from O*NET OnLine by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (CC BY 4.0).
Archivist pay by experience level
Entry level$41,500
Typical starting pay (about the 10th percentile)
Early career$52,500
A few years in (about the 25th percentile)
Experienced$67,000
Mid-career median pay
Senior$86,000
Seasoned professionals (about the 75th percentile)
Top earners$114,500
Highest earners (about the 90th percentile)
Experience tiers are derived from the BLS wage percentile distribution for this occupation, aged to 2026. Actual pay varies by employer, location, and specialization.
Job outlook
+3.8%
projected change in jobs, 2024–2034
1,100
projected openings per year
Growing about as fast as average
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program (2024–2034). Openings include growth and replacement needs.
Archivist salary by industry
Federal, State, and Local Government, excluding State and Local Schools and Hospitals and USPS
2,250 workers
$81,000
Educational Services
1,500 workers
$68,500
Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools
1,310 workers
$68,500
Museums, Historical Sites, and Similar Institutions
1,240 workers
$60,000
Museums, Historical Sites, and Similar Institutions
1,240 workers
$60,000
Educational Services, Privately Owned
880 workers
$71,000
Local Government, excluding Schools and Hospitals (OEWS Designation)
860 workers
$73,500
State Government, excluding Schools and Hospitals (OEWS Designation)
830 workers
$67,500
Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services
790 workers
$80,000
Educational Services, State Government Owned
570 workers
$64,000
National sector-level figures, BLS OEWS May 2025, aged to 2026.
Typical duties and FLSA status
Core duties
Organize archival records and develop classification systems to facilitate access to archival materials.
Provide reference services and assistance for users needing archival materials.
Prepare archival records, such as document descriptions, to allow easy access to information.
Create and maintain accessible, retrievable computer archives and databases, incorporating current advances in electronic information storage technology.
Establish and administer policy guidelines concerning public access and use of materials.
FLSA classification (typical)
Typically Exempt · Professional, Administrative, or Executive exemption
Occupations in this SOC group are typically classified as Exempt when paid above the salary threshold, provided they satisfy the duties test for one of the FLSA exemption categories. Actual classification depends on the specific job duties, salary basis, and any applicable state or local rules. The current federal salary threshold for exemption is $684 per week ($35,568 per year), per the 2020 Department of Labor rule; the 2024 rule that would have raised the threshold was struck down by federal court in November 2024.
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