Data current as of August 2026 · sources: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and O*NET
Average base salary, New York
$81,000 / year
≈ $6,750 per month · $38.94 per hour
BLS May 2025 state data for New York · median $76,500
25th percentile
$62,500Average
$81,00075th percentile
$98,000
$62,500Average
$81,00075th percentile
$98,000
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.
Archivist salary by state
Alabama$64,500
Arizona$50,500
Arkansas$70,500
California$80,000
Colorado$67,000
Connecticut$84,000
Delaware$57,000
District of Columbia$97,000
Florida$61,000
Georgia$66,500
Idaho$63,000
Illinois$69,500
Indiana$59,500
Iowa$59,000
Kansas$57,500
Kentucky$53,000
Louisiana$63,000
Maine$62,000
Maryland$90,000
Massachusetts$84,500
Michigan$71,500
Minnesota$62,000
Missouri$67,000
New Hampshire$68,500
New Jersey$76,500
New York$81,000
North Carolina$61,000
Ohio$61,500
Oklahoma$55,500
Oregon$65,500
Pennsylvania$64,500
Rhode Island$83,500
South Carolina$57,000
Tennessee$58,500
Texas$57,500
Utah$59,500
Washington$81,500
Wisconsin$61,500
About this role
Archivist is a professional role within the function in the Educational Instruction and Library job family.
Pay for this title reflects both its level and its scope; see our Title Level and Organization Responsibility guides for how WePayFairly defines them.
What Archivists do
Typical education: Master's Degree
- 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 Comprehension Writing Active Listening Speaking Critical Thinking Active 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
$81,000Educational Services
1,500 workers
$68,500Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools
1,310 workers
$68,500Museums, Historical Sites, and Similar Institutions
1,240 workers
$60,000Museums, Historical Sites, and Similar Institutions
1,240 workers
$60,000Educational Services, Privately Owned
880 workers
$71,000Local Government, excluding Schools and Hospitals (OEWS Designation)
860 workers
$73,500State Government, excluding Schools and Hospitals (OEWS Designation)
830 workers
$67,500Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services
790 workers
$80,000Educational Services, State Government Owned
570 workers
$64,000National sector-level figures, BLS OEWS May 2025, aged to 2026.
How this role compares
Archivist pays 18% below the average across 65 roles in the Educational Instruction and Library job family (family average $88,500).
Similar-paying roles in Educational Instruction and Library
Careers related to Archivist
Related occupations from O*NET OnLine, U.S. Department of Labor.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a Archivist make?
The average base salary for a Archivist in the United States is $73,000 per year, or about $35.10 per hour.
What is the typical salary range?
Pay typically falls between $52,500 and $86,000 per year (25th to 75th percentile) depending on experience, location, industry, and organization size.
How does this compare with other Educational Instruction and Library roles?
The Educational Instruction and Library job family averages $88,500 across 65 roles tracked by WePayFairly.
Need a defensible market price for this role?
WePayFairly data is compiled from published survey sources and maintained by compensation professionals.
Put this data to work
Need Archivist pay benchmarked for your organization, or defensible compensation analysis for a dispute or valuation? Grahall builds it from primary sources, backed by an expert who testifies.
Request an analysisWant to see what this salary looks like after taxes? Estimate your take-home pay →
