Research, analyze, record, and interpret the past as recorded in sources, such as government and institutional records, newspapers and other periodicals, photographs, interviews, films, electronic media, and unpublished manuscripts, such as personal diaries and letters.
Historians
SOC: 19-3093 O*NET: 19-3093.00
Median Salary
$74,050
per year
Job Growth
➡️ 2.2%
Average (2024-2034)
Annual Openings
0.3
projected jobs/year
Education Level
Bachelor's degree plus work experience, or graduate degree
Job Zone 5
Research, analyze, record, and interpret the past as recorded in sources, such as government and institutional records, newspapers and other periodicals, photographs, interviews, films, electronic media, and unpublished manuscripts, such as personal diaries and letters.
What does a Historians do?
How much can you earn?
Entry Level
$38,630
10th percentile
Early Career
$55,190
25th percentile
Median
$74,050
50th percentile
Experienced
$96,330
75th percentile
Top Earners
$128,500
90th percentile
National Salary Distribution
10th
$38,630
25th
$55,190
Middle 50%
MEDIAN
$74,050
Mean: $78,470
75th
$96,330
90th
$128,500
Middle 50% of earners
Median salary
Mean (average)
Key Insights
- •Salary range spans $89,870 from entry level to top earners
- •Middle 50% earn between $55,190 and $96,330
- •Salary spread is 55.6% around the median, showing high variation
- •Total national employment: 3,140 professionals
What's the job outlook?
Job Market Intelligence
Medium Demand
Market demand
Medium Risk
Automation risk
Current Employment
National Employment:3,400
Top Industries
Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services19.1%
Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services19.1%
Management, Scientific, and Technical Consulting Services8.6%
10-Year Outlook
Growth Rate:+2.2%
Annual Openings:300
Employment Projections
2024 (Current)3,400
Current
2034 (Projected)3,500
+2.2%
+100
Employment Change
+2.2%
Growth Rate
10
Year Projection
Growth Category: As fast as average
Geographic Salary & Employment Data
Explore where Historians professionals work across the United States
Showing 15 of 29 locations
New York
420 jobs$51,6202.14x
District of Columbia
260 jobs$117,96017.73x
Virginia
180 jobs$94,0602.23x
California
180 jobs$83,3600.49x
New Jersey
90 jobs$74,6901.02x
Mississippi
90 jobs$44,8003.65x
Utah
90 jobs$32,0002.51x
Florida
80 jobs$84,5900.38x
Texas
70 jobs$84,1600.26x
Pennsylvania
70 jobs$72,7200.53x
Michigan
70 jobs$59,5200.80x
Georgia
70 jobs$59,4100.75x
Maryland
60 jobs$99,3001.09x
Washington
60 jobs$94,7600.79x
Hawaii
60 jobs$82,5505.06x
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
Critical Thinking
86%
#4
Active Learning
80%
#5
Active Listening
74%
#6
Speaking
66%
#7
Complex Problem Solving
60%
#8
Learning Strategies
54%
#9
Social Perceptiveness
46%
#10
Judgment and Decision Making
40%
Skills Overview
Reading Comprehension
advanced5.0
100%
Writing
advanced4.7
94%
Critical Thinking
intermediate4.3
86%
Active Learning
intermediate4.0
80%
Active Listening
intermediate3.7
74%
Speaking
intermediate3.3
66%
Complex Problem Solving
advanced3.0
60%
Learning Strategies
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
Critical Thinking
intermediateImportance86%
abilities
4.3/5.0
Active Learning
intermediateImportance80%
abilities
4.0/5.0
Active Listening
intermediateImportance74%
skills
3.7/5.0
Speaking
intermediateImportance66%
skills
3.3/5.0
Complex Problem Solving
advancedImportance60%
abilities
3.0/5.0
Learning Strategies
basicImportance54%
skills
2.7/5.0
Social Perceptiveness
basicImportance46%
skills
2.3/5.0
Judgment and Decision Making
basicImportance40%
abilities
2.0/5.0
Highly Transferable Skills
These skills are valuable across multiple career paths, making career transitions easier:
Sociologists100%
5 shared skills
Administrative Law Judges, Adjudicators, and Hearing Officers82%
5 shared skills
Urologists82%
5 shared skills
Anthropologists and Archeologists82%
5 shared skills
Area, Ethnic, and Cultural Studies Teachers, Postsecondary82%
5 shared skills
Audiologists82%
5 shared skills
Skills by Career Stage
Entry Level
Must Have:
- ✓Writing
Learn on the Job:
- →Speaking
- →Learning Strategies
- →Complex Problem Solving
Mid Career
Expected:
- ✓Writing
- ✓Reading Comprehension
- ✓Critical Thinking
- ✓Active Learning
Senior Level
Mastery Required:
- ★Writing
- ★Reading Comprehension
- ★Critical Thinking
- ★Active Learning
- ★Active Listening
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 Historians
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
IBM SPSS Statistics
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Access
🔥 Hot TechStructured query language SQL
🔥 Hot TechAdobe InDesign
🔥 Hot TechAdobe Acrobat
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft SharePoint
🔥 Hot TechExtensible markup language XML
🔥 Hot TechESRI ArcGIS software
🔥 Hot TechAdobe Photoshop
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Office software
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft PowerPoint
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Excel
🔥 Hot TechTechnology Stack
Technology Stack Overview
Key technologies used in this career
IBM SPSS Statistics
Microsoft Access
Structured query language SQL
Adobe InDesign
Adobe Acrobat
Microsoft SharePoint
Extensible markup language XML
ESRI ArcGIS software
Adobe Photoshop
Microsoft Office software
Microsoft PowerPoint
Microsoft Excel
📚 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
MODERATE
👥
Team Orientation
MOSTLY 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 moderate physical demands?
- •Do you enjoy mostly team team environments?
- •Are you comfortable working with safety protocols and protective equipment?
What are the key tasks?
Tasks & Responsibilities
21
Core Tasks
8
Daily Tasks
20
Work Activities
0
Emerging Tasks
Filter:
Sort by:
Analysis & Evaluation (1)Documentation & Record-Keeping (4)Planning & Development (2)General Responsibilities (12)Training & Development (1)Communication & Coordination (1)
1
Organize data, and analyze and interpret its authenticity and relative significance.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Analysis & Evaluation100% perform100%
2
Gather historical data from sources such as archives, court records, diaries, news files, and photographs, as well as from books, pamphlets, and periodicals.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Documentation & Record-Keeping97% perform98%
3
Trace historical development in a particular field, such as social, cultural, political, or diplomatic history.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Planning & Development94% perform96%
4
Conduct historical research as a basis for the identification, conservation, and reconstruction of historic places and materials.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities91% perform94%
5
Teach and conduct research in colleges, universities, museums, and other research agencies and schools.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Training & Development88% perform92%
6
Conduct historical research, and publish or present findings and theories.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities85% perform90%
7
Speak to various groups, organizations, and clubs to promote the aims and activities of historical societies.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities82% perform88%
8
Prepare publications and exhibits, or review those prepared by others, to ensure their historical accuracy.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Documentation & Record-Keeping79% perform86%
9
Research the history of a particular country or region, or of a specific time period.
🟡Weekly
Importance:
General Responsibilities76% perform84%
10
Present historical accounts in terms of individuals or social, ethnic, political, economic, or geographic groupings.
🟡Weekly
Importance:
General Responsibilities73% perform82%
💡 Key Takeaways
- •Daily tasks focus primarily on analysis & evaluation activities
- •33% 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 Historians
💡 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?
Historians professionals typically have a ICA Holland code and highly value achievement
IInvestigative
CConventional
AArtistic
Important Personality Traits
Work styles that contribute to success as a Historians
Attention to Detail
CriticalAttention to Detail
Importance Level4.55
Cooperation
Very ImportantCooperation
Importance Level4.41
Analytical Thinking
Very ImportantAnalytical Thinking
Importance Level4.15
Dependability
Very ImportantDependability
Importance Level4.13
Integrity
Very ImportantIntegrity
Importance Level4.12
Independence
Very ImportantIndependence
Importance Level4.05
Complete Work Styles Profile
Attention to Detail
4.5
Cooperation
4.4
Analytical Thinking
4.2
Dependability
4.1
Integrity
4.1
Independence
4.0
Concern for Others
3.7
Initiative
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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