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.
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.
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.
