Archivists
SOC Code: 25-4011Also known as:
Accessioning Archivist, Archives Specialist, Archives Technician (Archives Tech), Archivist, Digital Archivist
Median Annual Salary
$61,570
+3.8% growth (2024-2034)
1K
Openings/Year
9K
Current Jobs
What Archivists Do
Appraise, edit, and direct safekeeping of permanent records and historically valuable documents. Participate in research activities based on archival materials.
💰 Salary
$61,570
Median annual wage (2024)
📈 Job Growth
+3.8%
As fast as average
🎓 Education
Master's degree
Typical entry-level requirement
🚀 Annual Openings
1K
Projected average per year
Employment Projections (2024-2034)
Current Employment (2024)
9,300
Projected Employment (2034)
9,700
Related Careers
Computer occupations, all other
$108,970 •
+8.2% growth
Historians
$74,050 •
+2.2% growth
Library science teachers, postsecondary
$78,630 •
+3.0% growth
Librarians and media collections specialists
$64,320 •
+1.7% growth
Top Skills Required
Reading Comprehension
Active Listening
Writing
Speaking
Critical Thinking
Daily Tasks & Responsibilities
- 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.
- Direct activities of workers who assist in arranging, cataloguing, exhibiting, and maintaining collections of valuable materials.
- Preserve records, documents, and objects, copying records to film, videotape, audiotape, disk, or computer formats as necessary.
- Research and record the origins and historical significance of archival materials.
- Locate new materials and direct their acquisition and display.
- Authenticate and appraise historical documents and archival materials.
Technology & Tools
📚 Entry-Level Education
Master's degree
Most common requirement
🎯 Recommended Education
Master's Degree
O*NET recommended level
Degree Programs for Archivists
These degree programs can prepare you for a career as a archivists:
Art History, Criticism and Conservation
3,557 degrees awarded •
351 colleges offer this program
Museology/Museum Studies
838 degrees awarded •
77 colleges offer this program
Public/Applied History
743 degrees awarded •
54 colleges offer this program
Historic Preservation and Conservation, General
376 degrees awarded •
41 colleges offer this program
Archives/Archival Administration
256 degrees awarded •
11 colleges offer this program
Digital Humanities
126 degrees awarded •
14 colleges offer this program
Cultural Resource Management and Policy Analysis
59 degrees awarded •
15 colleges offer this program
Historic Preservation and Conservation, Other
15 degrees awarded •
4 colleges offer this program
Best Colleges for Becoming a Archivists
Ranked by Repit grade, then by degrees in related programs. These are the top-rated colleges that prepare students to become archivists.
| # | College | Location | Related Degrees | Repit Grade |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | University of California-Los Angeles | Los Angeles, CA | 62 | A+ |
| 2 | University of Michigan-Ann Arbor | Ann Arbor, MI | 39 | A+ |
| 3 | New York University | New York, NY | 150 | A |
| 4 | Johns Hopkins University | Baltimore, MD | 128 | A |
| 5 | Harvard University | Cambridge, MA | 117 | A |
| 6 | Columbia University in the City of New York | New York, NY | 101 | A |
| 7 | The University of Texas at Austin | Austin, TX | 70 | A |
| 8 | University of Georgia | Athens, GA | 68 | A |
| 9 | Yale University | New Haven, CT | 53 | A |
| 10 | University of California-Berkeley | Berkeley, CA | 49 | A |
| 11 | Boston University | Boston, MA | 44 | A |
| 12 | University of California-Santa Barbara | Santa Barbara, CA | 42 | A |
| 13 | University of Southern California | Los Angeles, CA | 36 | A |
| 14 | University of Chicago | Chicago, IL | 34 | A |
| 15 | Tufts University | Medford, MA | 32 | A |
| 16 | Brown University | Providence, RI | 28 | A |
| 17 | Princeton University | Princeton, NJ | 28 | A |
| 18 | University of Florida | Gainesville, FL | 25 | A |
| 19 | University of Pennsylvania | Philadelphia, PA | 23 | A |
| 20 | Emory University | Atlanta, GA | 21 | A |
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Frequently Asked Questions
How much do archivists make?
The median annual salary for archivists is $61,570.
What education do archivists need?
Most archivists positions require a master's degree.
Common degree programs include Art History, Criticism and Conservation, Museology/Museum Studies, Public/Applied History.
Is becoming archivists a good career choice?
Archivists is projected to see +3.8% job growth from 2024 to 2034,
which is about average for all occupations. With approximately 1,100 job openings expected annually,
there are good opportunities for those entering the field.
What are the best colleges for archivists?
Top colleges for aspiring archivists include
University of California-Los Angeles, University of Michigan-Ann Arbor, New York University, Johns Hopkins University, Harvard University.
These schools are ranked based on their Repit grade and the number of graduates in related programs.
What other job titles are similar to archivists?
Archivists may also be known as: Accessioning Archivist, Archives Specialist, Archives Technician (Archives Tech), Archivist, Digital Archivist, Digital Asset Archivist, Digitization Assistant, Film Archivist, Image Archivist, Museum Archivist, Processing Archivist, Project Archivist, Records Manager, Reference Archivist, Registrar, State Archivist, University Archivist.
These titles often refer to similar roles with varying responsibilities or specializations.