Appraise, edit, and direct safekeeping of permanent records and historically valuable documents. Participate in research activities based on archival materials.
Archivists
SOC: 25-4011 O*NET: 25-4011.00
Median Salary
$61,570
per year
Job Growth
➡️ 3.8%
Average (2024-2034)
Annual Openings
1.1
projected jobs/year
Education Level
Bachelor's degree plus work experience, or graduate degree
Job Zone 5
Appraise, edit, and direct safekeeping of permanent records and historically valuable documents. Participate in research activities based on archival materials.
What does a Archivists do?
How much can you earn?
Entry Level
$39,330
10th percentile
Early Career
$47,890
25th percentile
Median
$61,570
50th percentile
Experienced
$79,850
75th percentile
Top Earners
$104,780
90th percentile
National Salary Distribution
10th
$39,330
25th
$47,890
Middle 50%
MEDIAN
$61,570
Mean: $67,620
75th
$79,850
90th
$104,780
Middle 50% of earners
Median salary
Mean (average)
Key Insights
- •Salary range spans $65,450 from entry level to top earners
- •Middle 50% earn between $47,890 and $79,850
- •Salary spread is 51.9% around the median, showing high variation
- •Total national employment: 7,050 professionals
What's the job outlook?
Job Market Intelligence
Medium Demand
Market demand
Medium Risk
Automation risk
Current Employment
National Employment:9,300
Top Industries
Museums, Historical Sites, and Similar Institutions15%
Museums, Historical Sites, and Similar Institutions15%
Educational Services12.1%
10-Year Outlook
Growth Rate:+3.8%
Annual Openings:1,100
Employment Projections
2024 (Current)9,300
Current
2034 (Projected)9,700
+3.8%
+400
Employment Change
+3.8%
Growth Rate
10
Year Projection
Growth Category: As fast as average
Geographic Salary & Employment Data
Explore where Archivists professionals work across the United States
Showing 15 of 39 locations
New York
900 jobs$74,8802.07x
California
860 jobs$62,1601.05x
Washington
630 jobs$70,4003.88x
Maryland
540 jobs$75,3304.33x
Pennsylvania
330 jobs$57,0001.18x
Massachusetts
320 jobs$71,7901.91x
Texas
280 jobs$53,9700.45x
District of Columbia
190 jobs$92,1005.73x
Wisconsin
180 jobs$60,5701.34x
Michigan
160 jobs$53,5900.79x
Illinois
150 jobs$69,5900.56x
Ohio
150 jobs$51,1000.58x
Missouri
150 jobs$50,4801.12x
Connecticut
150 jobs$46,7301.91x
Tennessee
140 jobs$47,9500.95x
Understanding the Data
Location Quotient (LQ):
- • LQ > 1.0: More jobs than national average
- • LQ = 1.0: Same as national average
- • LQ < 1.0: Fewer jobs than national average
Data Source:
Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2024
Key Growth Factors
- •Average growth expected
What skills do you need?
Top 10 Most Important Skills
#1
Reading Comprehension
100%
#2
Writing
94%
#3
Active Listening
86%
#4
Speaking
80%
#5
Critical Thinking
74%
#6
Active Learning
66%
#7
Complex Problem Solving
60%
#8
Judgment and Decision Making
54%
#9
Service Orientation
46%
#10
Monitoring
40%
Skills Overview
Reading Comprehension
advanced5.0
100%
Writing
advanced4.7
94%
Active Listening
intermediate4.3
86%
Speaking
intermediate4.0
80%
Critical Thinking
intermediate3.7
74%
Active Learning
intermediate3.3
66%
Complex Problem Solving
advanced3.0
60%
Judgment and Decision Making
basic2.7
54%
Skills are rated on a scale of 0-5, with 5 being the most important. The complexity level indicates how advanced the skill typically needs to be.
Filter:
Sort by:
Reading Comprehension
advancedImportance100%
abilities
5.0/5.0
Writing
advancedImportance94%
skills
4.7/5.0
Active Listening
intermediateImportance86%
skills
4.3/5.0
Speaking
intermediateImportance80%
skills
4.0/5.0
Critical Thinking
intermediateImportance74%
abilities
3.7/5.0
Active Learning
intermediateImportance66%
abilities
3.3/5.0
Complex Problem Solving
advancedImportance60%
abilities
3.0/5.0
Judgment and Decision Making
basicImportance54%
abilities
2.7/5.0
Service Orientation
basicImportance46%
skills
2.3/5.0
Monitoring
basicImportance40%
skills
2.0/5.0
Highly Transferable Skills
These skills are valuable across multiple career paths, making career transitions easier:
Acupuncturists82%
5 shared skills
Administrative Law Judges, Adjudicators, and Hearing Officers82%
5 shared skills
Precision Agriculture Technicians82%
5 shared skills
Urologists82%
5 shared skills
Physician Assistants82%
5 shared skills
Animal Scientists82%
5 shared skills
Skills by Career Stage
Entry Level
Must Have:
- ✓Writing
- ✓Active Listening
- ✓Speaking
Learn on the Job:
- →Active Learning
- →Complex Problem Solving
- →Judgment and Decision Making
Mid Career
Expected:
- ✓Writing
- ✓Active Listening
- ✓Speaking
- ✓Reading Comprehension
Senior Level
Mastery Required:
- ★Writing
- ★Active Listening
- ★Speaking
- ★Reading Comprehension
- ★Critical Thinking
Skill Development Tips
- •Focus on developing the top 5 skills first - they have the highest impact on career success
- •Transferable skills open doors to related careers and provide flexibility
- •Balance technical skills with soft skills for well-rounded professional development
- •Entry-level positions prioritize foundational skills that can be built upon over time
What technology will you use?
Technology & Digital Skills
Essential technology proficiencies for Archivists
Technology Intensity
Very High
Digital Literacy Requirements
This career requires expert digital literacy
1
Basic
2
Intermediate
3
Advanced
4
Expert
Key Digital Competencies:
Advanced software proficiencySystem architecture understandingAutomation and scriptingEmerging technology adaptationTechnical problem-solving
🔥
Hot Technologies in Demand
These technologies are currently trending and highly sought after in this field
Microsoft Access
🔥 Hot TechAdobe InDesign
🔥 Hot TechAdobe Acrobat
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Outlook
🔥 Hot TechExtensible markup language XML
🔥 Hot TechAdobe Creative Cloud software
🔥 Hot TechAdobe Illustrator
🔥 Hot TechAdobe Photoshop
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Office software
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft PowerPoint
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Excel
🔥 Hot TechHypertext markup language HTML
🔥 Hot TechTechnology Stack
Technology Stack Overview
Key technologies used in this career
Microsoft Access
Adobe InDesign
Adobe Acrobat
Microsoft Outlook
Extensible markup language XML
Adobe Creative Cloud software
Adobe Illustrator
Adobe Photoshop
Microsoft Office software
Microsoft PowerPoint
Microsoft Excel
Hypertext markup language HTML
📚 Technology Learning Resources
Recommended Certifications
- •Vendor-specific software certifications
- •Industry-recognized technology credentials
- •Professional development courses
Online Learning Platforms
- •LinkedIn Learning - Comprehensive technology courses
- •Coursera - University-level programs
- •Udemy - Practical skills training
💡 Technology Skill Development Tips
- •Focus on mastering hot technologies first - they're currently most in-demand
- •Build a portfolio demonstrating your proficiency with key tools and software
- •Stay current through continuous learning - technology evolves rapidly
- •Consider vendor certifications to validate your skills to employers
What's the work environment like?
🏢
Location
MOSTLY INDOOR
💪
Physical Demand
HIGH
👥
Team Orientation
SOME TEAM
🤝
Customer Interaction
OCCASIONAL
💡Is This Work Environment Right for You?
Consider these factors when evaluating if you'll thrive in this work environment:
- •Are you comfortable working in mostly indoor environments?
- •Can you meet high physical demands?
- •Do you enjoy some team team environments?
- •Are you comfortable working with safety protocols and protective equipment?
What are the key tasks?
Tasks & Responsibilities
13
Core Tasks
8
Daily Tasks
20
Work Activities
0
Emerging Tasks
Filter:
Sort by:
Documentation & Record-Keeping (4)Planning & Development (1)General Responsibilities (5)Management & Supervision (2)Communication & Coordination (1)
1
Create and maintain accessible, retrievable computer archives and databases, incorporating current advances in electronic information storage technology.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Documentation & Record-Keeping100% perform100%
2
Organize archival records and develop classification systems to facilitate access to archival materials.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Planning & Development97% perform98%
3
Authenticate and appraise historical documents and archival materials.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities94% perform96%
4
Provide reference services and assistance for users needing archival materials.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities91% perform94%
5
Direct activities of workers who assist in arranging, cataloguing, exhibiting, and maintaining collections of valuable materials.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Management & Supervision88% perform92%
6
Prepare archival records, such as document descriptions, to allow easy access to information.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Documentation & Record-Keeping85% perform90%
7
Preserve records, documents, and objects, copying records to film, videotape, audiotape, disk, or computer formats as necessary.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Documentation & Record-Keeping82% perform88%
8
Establish and administer policy guidelines concerning public access and use of materials.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities79% perform86%
9
Locate new materials and direct their acquisition and display.
🟡Weekly
Importance:
Management & Supervision76% perform84%
10
Research and record the origins and historical significance of archival materials.
🟡Weekly
Importance:
Documentation & Record-Keeping73% perform82%
💡 Key Takeaways
- •Daily tasks focus primarily on documentation & record-keeping activities
- •54% of tasks are performed by most workers in this occupation
- •Career advancement brings increased leadership and strategic responsibilities
What career paths are available?
Career Pathways
0
Advancement Opportunities
0
Lateral Move Options
0%
Avg. Salary Increase
Advancement Opportunities
Typical career progression paths from Archivists
💡 Career Planning Tips
- •Most successful advancement happens after 3-5 years of experience
- •Lateral moves can provide valuable cross-functional experience for future leadership roles
- •Focus on developing skills that are transferable across multiple career paths
- •Consider industry trends when planning long-term career moves
Is this career right for you?
Personality & Values Fit
Is This Career Right for You?
Archivists professionals typically have a CIS Holland code and highly value independence
CConventional
IInvestigative
SSocial
Important Personality Traits
Work styles that contribute to success as a Archivists
Attention to Detail
CriticalAttention to Detail
Importance Level4.71
Integrity
CriticalIntegrity
Importance Level4.58
Cooperation
Very ImportantCooperation
Importance Level4.39
Dependability
Very ImportantDependability
Importance Level4.23
Analytical Thinking
ImportantAnalytical Thinking
Importance Level3.97
Initiative
ImportantInitiative
Importance Level3.90
Complete Work Styles Profile
Attention to Detail
4.7
Integrity
4.6
Cooperation
4.4
Dependability
4.2
Analytical Thinking
4.0
Initiative
3.9
Adaptability/Flexibility
3.8
Achievement/Effort
3.6
Persistence
3.6
Concern for Others
3.5
💡 Tips for Career Fit Success
- •While personality fit is important, skills can be developed with practice and training
- •Consider informational interviews to better understand the day-to-day personality requirements
- •Work environments vary by employer - research specific companies for cultural fit
- •Your interests and values may evolve - reassess periodically throughout your career
What education is required?
Education Level
Bachelor's degree plus work experience, or graduate degree
Typical duration: 4 years
Preparation Level
Job Zone 5
Extensive Preparation Needed
Experience Needed
Extensive skill, knowledge, and experience needed
📚 Education Requirement
Required Level:Bachelor's degree plus work experience, or graduate degree
Most of these occupations require graduate school. These may include master's, doctoral, or professional degrees.
Training:
Extensive training and work experience required
💼 Experience Requirement
Extensive skill, knowledge, and experience needed
Common pathways to gain experience:
- • Master's or doctoral degree
- • Extensive work experience in the field
- • State licensure or professional certification
5
Job Zone Five: Extensive Preparation Needed
Most of these occupations require graduate school. These may include master's, doctoral, or professional degrees.
Master's or doctoral degreeExtensive work experience in the fieldState licensure or professional certification
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