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Museums & Cultural Heritage
Smithsonian Institution, The Getty, The Metropolitan Museum of Art
Archivists
Archivists sort, describe, preserve, and make sense of records, photographs, manuscripts, and digital files so other people can find and use them later. The work is unusual because it mixes history, technical database work, and public access rules, with a constant tradeoff between protecting fragile materials and keeping them usable. Many roles are highly specialized and require a master's degree, but the field is relatively small and growth is modest.
Also known as Digital ArchivistRecords ArchivistSpecial Collections ArchivistManuscripts ArchivistUniversity Archivist
Median Salary
$61,570
Mean $67,620
U.S. Workforce
~7K
1.1K openings per year
10-Year Growth
+3.8%
9.3K to 9.7K
Entry Education
Master's degree
+ None experience
What This Role Looks Like in Practice
Archivists sits in the Education category. In practical terms, this role combines day-to-day execution, cross-team coordination, and consistent decision-making under real business constraints.
U.S. employment is currently about ~7K workers, with a median annual pay of $61,570 and roughly 1.1K openings each year. Based on BLS projections, total employment is expected to grow from 9.3 K in 2024 to 9.7K in 2034.
Most hiring paths start with Master's degree in library science, archival studies, or information studies, and employers typically expect none of related experience. Many careers in this track begin around Archives Assistant and can progress toward Director of Archives. High-value skills usually include Reading Comprehension & Document Analysis, ArchivesSpace, Preservica & Collection Management Systems, and Writing & Metadata Description, paired with soft skills such as Attention to detail, Clear written communication, and Patience.
Core Responsibilities
- Check old documents, photos, and other materials to confirm what they are and whether they belong in the collection.
- Build and update searchable catalog records and databases so users can find items by topic, date, or creator.
- Write clear item descriptions and collection guides that explain what is in an archive and how to access it.
- Set rules for who can view or use fragile, private, or restricted materials, and answer questions from researchers.
Keep exploring: more Education careers or browse all job titles.
A Day in the Life
01 Check old documents, photos, and other materials to confirm what they are and whether they belong in the collection.
02 Build and update searchable catalog records and databases so users can find items by topic, date, or creator.
03 Write clear item descriptions and collection guides that explain what is in an archive and how to access it.
04 Set rules for who can view or use fragile, private, or restricted materials, and answer questions from researchers.
05 Organize donations and new digital files, then sort them into a classification system that makes later retrieval easier.
06 Run tours, workshops, or talks for the public and direct assistants who help arrange and care for the collection.
Industries That Hire
🎓
Universities & Academic Libraries
Harvard University, Stanford University, University of Michigan
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Government Archives
National Archives and Records Administration, Library of Congress, Texas State Library and Archives Commission
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Media & Entertainment
The Walt Disney Company, Warner Bros. Discovery, NBCUniversal
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Corporate Records & Compliance
Microsoft, IBM, JPMorgan Chase
Pros and Cons
Advantages
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The pay is solid for a specialized education role, with mean earnings of $67,620 and a median of $61,570.
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You work with unique materials that often have real historical value, from manuscripts to rare photos and digital records.
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The job blends hands-on preservation with computer-based organization, which keeps the work varied.
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There are about 1.1 million annual openings, so openings do appear regularly even in a small field.
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No prior work experience or on-the-job training is required by BLS, so the degree is the main gateway.
Challenges
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Growth is only 3.8% through 2034, so this is not a fast-expanding field.
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The occupation is small, with about 7,050 current jobs and a projected 9.7 thousand by 2034, which limits the number of openings in any one region.
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A master's degree is usually expected, which can make entry expensive and time-consuming.
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Many jobs depend on public, university, or museum budgets, so hiring can slow down when funding gets tight.
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The work is often on-site because collections are physical, fragile, or restricted, so remote work is limited and advancement can plateau unless you move into management.
Career Progression
Archives Assistant
0-2 years
$35K-$46K
Begins with basic shelving, scanning, labeling, and collection support under close supervision.
Archivist
2-5 years
$54K-$69K
Handles collection organization, description, access rules, and day-to-day reference work for researchers.
Senior Archivist THIS ROLE
5-9 years
$70K-$88K
Leads harder appraisal and preservation decisions, manages complex digital collections, and may mentor junior staff.
Archives Manager
9-14 years
$89K-$112K
Oversees staff, budgets, policies, and long-term collection strategy across one or more archives.
Director of Archives
14+ years
$113K-$145K
Sets the vision for the archive, secures funding, and makes high-level decisions about access, preservation, and growth.
Education Paths
Master's degree in library science, archival studies, or information studies
This is the standard path and is listed for 83.87% of workers in this role.
Bachelor's degree with relevant archives, museum, or records experience
A smaller share of workers enter with a bachelor's degree, accounting for 6.45% of the distribution.
Post-master's or post-baccalaureate archival certificate
Certificate-based routes also appear in the field, including 6.45% with a post-master's certificate and 3.23% with a post-baccalaureate certificate.
Key Skills
Technical
Reading Comprehension & Document Analysis 78%
ArchivesSpace, Preservica & Collection Management Systems 75%
Writing & Metadata Description 72%
Active Listening & Reference Interviews 72%
Scanning, OCR & Digital Preservation Workflows 64%
Database Management & Classification Systems 60%
Soft Skills
Attention to detailClear written communicationPatienceCollaborationCritical thinkingProfessional judgment Job Outlook and Trends
+3.8%
Projected growth (2024-2034)
1.1K
Annual job openings
Employment is projected to rise from 9.3K to 9.7 K over the next decade, representing 3.8% growth. Around 1.1 K openings per year include both newly created roles and replacement hiring from turnover.
Remote availability is currently Limited. Demand remains strongest where employers need practical domain knowledge plus modern workflow and data skills.