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.
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.
Gather historical data from sources such as archives, court records, diaries, news files, and photographs, as well as from books, pamphlets, and periodicals.
Organize data, and analyze and interpret its authenticity and relative significance.
Prepare publications and exhibits, or review those prepared by others, to ensure their historical accuracy.
Organize information for publication and for other means of dissemination, such as via storage media or the Internet.
Conduct historical research as a basis for the identification, conservation, and reconstruction of historic places and materials.
Top skills:Reading ComprehensionWritingCritical ThinkingSpeakingActive ListeningActive Learning
Includes information from O*NET OnLine by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (CC BY 4.0).
Historian pay by experience level
Entry level$44,000
Typical starting pay (about the 10th percentile)
Early career$59,500
A few years in (about the 25th percentile)
Experienced$79,500
Mid-career median pay
Senior$103,500
Seasoned professionals (about the 75th percentile)
Top earners$136,500
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
+2.2%
projected change in jobs, 2024–2034
300
projected openings per year
Growing slower than average
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program (2024–2034). Openings include growth and replacement needs.
Historian salary by industry
Federal, State, and Local Government, excluding State and Local Schools and Hospitals and USPS
1,920 workers
$89,000
Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services
910 workers
$80,500
Federal Executive Branch (OEWS Designation)
720 workers
$124,000
Local Government, excluding Schools and Hospitals (OEWS Designation)
690 workers
$65,500
State Government, excluding Schools and Hospitals (OEWS Designation)
500 workers
$70,500
Scientific Research and Development Services
480 workers
$76,000
Architectural, Engineering, and Related Services
180 workers
$81,000
Museums, Historical Sites, and Similar Institutions
110 workers
$64,500
Museums, Historical Sites, and Similar Institutions
110 workers
$64,500
Religious, Grantmaking, Civic, Professional, and Similar Organizations
90 workers
$68,500
National sector-level figures, BLS OEWS May 2025, aged to 2026.
Typical duties and FLSA status
Core duties
Gather historical data from sources such as archives, court records, diaries, news files, and photographs, as well as from books, pamphlets, and periodicals.
Organize data, and analyze and interpret its authenticity and relative significance.
Prepare publications and exhibits, or review those prepared by others, to ensure their historical accuracy.
Organize information for publication and for other means of dissemination, such as via storage media or the Internet.
Conduct historical research as a basis for the identification, conservation, and reconstruction of historic places and 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.
Related occupations from O*NET OnLine, U.S. Department of Labor.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a Historian make?
The average base salary for a Historian in the United States is $84,000 per year, or about $40.38 per hour.
What is the typical salary range?
Pay typically falls between $59,500 and $103,500 per year (25th to 75th percentile) depending on experience, location, industry, and organization size.
How does this compare with other Life, Physical, and Social Science roles?
The Life, Physical, and Social Science job family averages $100,500 across 66 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.
Need Historian 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.
