Education and libraries
Archivist
Appraise, edit, and direct safekeeping of permanent records and historically valuable documents. Participate in research activities based on archival materials.
Median pay
$64,550
Growth to 2035
+3%
about as fast as average
Openings a year
1,100
Time to qualify*
2 years
* From a bachelor's degree in an unrelated field.
Pay
Archivist
Getting in
- Typical entry education
- Master's degree
- On-the-job training
- None
- Prior experience
- None
What the work is like
Dealing with the public
Unpleasant or angry people
Time pressure
Cost of a mistake
Freedom to make decisions
Repeating the same tasks
Time sitting
Time standing
Archivist: 3% usually work over 40 hours a week
Core tasks
- 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.
Also called: Accessioning Archivist · Archivist · Digital Archivist · Film Archivist · Museum Archivist · Records Manager · Reference Archivist · Registrar
Outlook and AI
Archivists held 10,300 jobs in 2025. BLS projects 10,600 by 2035 (+3%, about as fast as average; all jobs: +3.5%).
Compare with
- Archivist vs. Librarians and media collections specialists
- Archivist vs. Historian
- Archivist vs. Curator
- Archivist vs. Computer occupations, all other
- Archivist vs. Library science teachers, postsecondary
- Archivist vs. Social science research assistant
- Archivist vs. Museum technicians and conservators
- Archivist vs. Statistical assistant
- Archivist vs. Anthropologists and archeologists