Historians

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

What a Historians does

Historians research, interpret, and communicate the past by examining primary sources and evidence to understand how events, people, and societies developed over time. They work in academia, museums, archives, and public history to preserve and share historical knowledge.

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

• Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists — $103,410/yr
• Occupational Health and Safety Specialists — $90,150/yr
• Environmental Restoration Planners — $82,220/yr
• Industrial Ecologists — $82,220/yr
• Climate Change Policy Analysts — $82,220/yr