Archivists

Median salary, education path, job outlook, and related careers — based on U.S. labor data.

What a Archivists does

Archivists preserve and organize historical documents, photographs, and artifacts in museums, libraries, and institutions. They catalog materials, create finding aids, and help researchers access important primary sources.

Education & path

The typical entry point is a master's degree. About 6 years (bachelor's + ~2-year master's).

Estimated cost of that path: ~$70,000. Estimated payback: ~5 years. Estimates only — actual cost varies widely by school and financial aid; payback assumes ~20% of income applied.

Related careers

• Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education — $63,970/yr
• Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education — $72,040/yr
• Middle School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education — $64,370/yr
• Substitute Teachers, Short-Term — $41,670/yr
• Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education — $38,140/yr