The salary of an archivist ranges between USD 30,000 to USD 50,000 annually, and some market analysts predict that it is going to rise in the coming years.
The Federal government, state governments, education institutions, museums, etc. hire archivists to take care of information that is termed as valuable for future use. The median salary also depends on the organization they work for and the geographical location of their work. Changing times have also seen a broadening of the scope of work for these professionals with work profiles like digital archivists who take care of digital records. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the expected employment growth in this profession is pegged at over 20 percent for the coming decade. Just like other professions, the salary is also determined by educational qualifications of the candidate and the number of years of experience.
Education and Job Description
Many employers prefer candidates who have a graduate degree, but some will hire those with undergraduate degrees, for entry-level positions. If you are planning to make a career as an archivist, you should consider pursuing graduate level programs in archival studies.
Students can also take up specialized subjects in such programs like maintaining digital records, preserving films, etc. Other way to prosper in this profession is to acquire a certification from the Academy of Certified Archivists. Although this is a voluntary certification, many employers prefer candidates who have it. The salary will also be determined by this certification.
These professionals preserve information of value in different forms, for future references. They catalog objects and documents which might be used for research projects or as a point of reference. Archivists maintain records and detailed files that enable the easy retrieval of these items, when required.
They also ensure that documents or objects are preserved and are maintained in such a way that they don’t lose their utility. The nature of work also depends on the specialization they have acquired, some may work with photographic film, some with paper documents and others with electronic documents. The preservation and cataloging techniques will differ in such cases and so will the salary.
Average Salary
The salary range is between USD 32,000 to USD 50,000, according to national data, although this could vary a little in metropolitan areas. Most archivists are employed by museums and the median annual salary is around USD 45,000. According to statistics, the top 10 percent earn salaries that are above USD 75,000 annually.
Archivists who are fresh out of college will mostly be hired as assistants or curators. The assistant archivist salary in some places can go up to USD 37,000 annually, as salary negotiations greatly depend on the educational qualification and practical experience of the candidate.
There are different specializations in this profession. One of them is that of a digital archivist and the salary is around USD 41,000 annually. The average salary of an archivist can vary greatly, depending on factors like the size of an employer organization, industry you are working for, experience, location, etc. A digital archivist can get around USD 47,000 in California and around USD 49,000 in New York.
Archivist salaries greatly depend on their specialization and the industry they work in. For example, the average salary of film archivists is around USD 30,000. State statistics reveal that the average salary in New York is around USD 35,000 and for the state of California it is USD 33,000. The annual salary in the state of Texas is around USD 28,000.
Candidates with a Master’s degree in library science and history can expect to earn around USD 75,000 annually as an archivist. The job outlook for this profession is also good for the coming years, with growth expected to better the average for the coming decade.