Archivists are professionals who preserve and catalog valuable historical records and documents, ensuring their long-term protection and accessibility for research, education, and cultural heritage purposes. They organize, classify, and maintain various forms of media, such as paper documents, photographs, and digital records, following strict archival standards and best practices. Through their work, archivists help to collect, manage, and share the stories of our past, fostering a deeper understanding of our history and informing future generations.
This article will explore the best states for archivists, based on the average annual salary for the occupation.
- 1. District of Columbia ($86,900)
- 2. Massachusetts ($72,850)
- 3. New York ($72,730)
- 4. Maryland ($72,620)
- 5. California ($71,760)
- 6. Rhode Island ($71,050)
- 7. Washington ($70,810)
- 8. Connecticut ($68,540)
- 9. New Mexico ($68,490)
- 10. Alaska ($67,070)
- Conclusion
Key Takeaways
- The highest-paid archivists are in District of Columbia, where they earn an average of $86,900 per year.
- The lowest-paid archivists are in Puerto Rico, where they earn an average of $28,850 per year.
- The U.S. average salary for archivists is $56,807 per year.
1. District of Columbia ($86,900)
Archivists in District of Columbia earn the highest average salary in the U.S. The median annual salary for
archivists in District of Columbia is
$86,900, which is +53% from the national average.
| Type | Annual Salary |
|---|
| Median Wage | $86,900 |
| 10th Percentile | $49,240 |
| 25th Percentile | $61,970 |
| 75th Percentile | $104,790 |
| 90th Percentile | $128,000 |
2. Massachusetts ($72,850)
Archivists in Massachusetts earn the 2nd highest average salary in the U.S. The median annual salary for
archivists in Massachusetts is
$72,850, which is +28% from the national average.
| Type | Annual Salary |
|---|
| Median Wage | $72,850 |
| 10th Percentile | $42,780 |
| 25th Percentile | $55,720 |
| 75th Percentile | $88,380 |
| 90th Percentile | $108,360 |
3. New York ($72,730)
Archivists in New York earn the 3rd highest average salary in the U.S. The median annual salary for
archivists in New York is
$72,730, which is +28% from the national average.
| Type | Annual Salary |
|---|
| Median Wage | $72,730 |
| 10th Percentile | $40,230 |
| 25th Percentile | $53,480 |
| 75th Percentile | $90,010 |
| 90th Percentile | $107,100 |
4. Maryland ($72,620)
Archivists in Maryland earn the 4th highest average salary in the U.S. The median annual salary for
archivists in Maryland is
$72,620, which is +28% from the national average.
| Type | Annual Salary |
|---|
| Median Wage | $72,620 |
| 10th Percentile | $42,180 |
| 25th Percentile | $47,470 |
| 75th Percentile | $98,800 |
| 90th Percentile | $121,060 |
5. California ($71,760)
Archivists in California earn the 5th highest average salary in the U.S. The median annual salary for
archivists in California is
$71,760, which is +26% from the national average.
| Type | Annual Salary |
|---|
| Median Wage | $71,760 |
| 10th Percentile | $38,760 |
| 25th Percentile | $48,030 |
| 75th Percentile | $86,120 |
| 90th Percentile | $106,650 |
6. Rhode Island ($71,050)
Archivists in Rhode Island earn the 6th highest average salary in the U.S. The median annual salary for
archivists in Rhode Island is
$71,050, which is +25% from the national average.
| Type | Annual Salary |
|---|
| Median Wage | $71,050 |
| 10th Percentile | $38,800 |
| 25th Percentile | $58,140 |
| 75th Percentile | $83,450 |
| 90th Percentile | $90,150 |
7. Washington ($70,810)
Archivists in Washington earn the 7th highest average salary in the U.S. The median annual salary for
archivists in Washington is
$70,810, which is +25% from the national average.
| Type | Annual Salary |
|---|
| Median Wage | $70,810 |
| 10th Percentile | $49,690 |
| 25th Percentile | $58,750 |
| 75th Percentile | $79,300 |
| 90th Percentile | $93,290 |
8. Connecticut ($68,540)
Archivists in Connecticut earn the 8th highest average salary in the U.S. The median annual salary for
archivists in Connecticut is
$68,540, which is +21% from the national average.
| Type | Annual Salary |
|---|
| Median Wage | $68,540 |
| 10th Percentile | $31,980 |
| 25th Percentile | $49,050 |
| 75th Percentile | $82,200 |
| 90th Percentile | $86,890 |
9. New Mexico ($68,490)
Archivists in New Mexico earn the 9th highest average salary in the U.S. The median annual salary for
archivists in New Mexico is
$68,490, which is +21% from the national average.
| Type | Annual Salary |
|---|
| Median Wage | $68,490 |
| 10th Percentile | $43,400 |
| 25th Percentile | $47,760 |
| 75th Percentile | $79,490 |
| 90th Percentile | $125,340 |
10. Alaska ($67,070)
Archivists in Alaska earn the 10th highest average salary in the U.S. The median annual salary for
archivists in Alaska is
$67,070, which is +18% from the national average.
| Type | Annual Salary |
|---|
| Median Wage | $67,070 |
| 10th Percentile | $49,530 |
| 25th Percentile | $61,040 |
| 75th Percentile | $75,940 |
| 90th Percentile | $78,690 |
Conclusion
The highest-paid archivists are in District of Columbia, where they earn an average of $86,900 per year. The lowest-paid archivists are in Puerto Rico, where they earn an average of $28,850 per year. The U.S. average salary for archivists is $56,807 per year and there are 7,170 jobs in the field.
