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Library Archivist Salary in the United States

How much does a Library Archivist make in the United States?

As of April 01, 2026, the average salary for a Library Archivist in the United States is $74,840 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $36.

However, a Library Archivist's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $89,971
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $68,050 to $82,760
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $61,868
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View as table View as graph 25% $68,050 10% $61,868 90% $89,971 75% $82,760 $74,840 50%(Median) Didn’t find job title? Click

Library Archivist Salaries by Percentile

Annual
Salary
Monthly
Pay
Weekly
Pay
Hourly
Wage
75th Percentile $82,760 $6,897 $1,592 $40
Average $74,840 $6,237 $1,439 $36
25th Percentile $68,050 $5,671 $1,309 $33
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Key Factors That Influence Library Archivist Salaries

A Library Archivist's salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how your years of experience, geographic location, education and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Experience Level Affects Library Archivist Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Library Archivist's salary. As you build your skills and take on more complex tasks, your compensation generally increases. Here's how the average salary grows at different career stages:

  • Entry-Level (less than 1 year): $72,610
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $72,813
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $75,431
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $78,741
  • Expert (over 8 years): $78,977
Levels Salary
Entry Level Library Archivist$72,610
Intermediate Level Library Archivist$72,813
Senior Level Library Archivist$75,431
Specialist Level Library Archivist$78,741
Expert Level Library Archivist$78,977
$72,610 0 yr
$72,813 < 2 yrs
$75,431 2-4 yrs
$78,741 5-8 yrs
$78,977 > 8 yrs
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What Am I Worth?

Top Paying Cities for Library Archivists

Salaries can also vary between different cities. Major metropolitan areas or cities with a high demand for technicians often offer more competitive pay. Here are a few examples of average annual salaries in different U.S. cities:

  • San Jose: $94,390
  • San Francisco: $93,470
  • Oakland: $91,390

What Skills Can Increase a Library Archivist's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Commitment (Mentioned in 6.18% Job Postings): An agreement or pledge to do something in the future a commitment to improve conditions at the prison especially : an engagement to assume a financial obligation at a future date.
  • Microsoft Office (Mentioned in 2.06% Job Postings): Microsoft Office is a suite of desktop productivity applications that is designed by Microsoft for business use. You can create documents containing text and images, work with data in spreadsheets and databases, create presentations and posters.
  • Content Management (Mentioned in 1.14% Job Postings): Content management (CM) is a set of processes and technologies that supports the collection, managing, and publishing of information in any form or medium. When stored and accessed via computers, this information may be more specifically referred to as digital content, or simply as content. Digital content may take the form of text (such as electronic documents), multimedia files (such as audio or video files), or any other file type that follows a content lifecycle requiring management.The process is complex enough to manage that several large and small commercial software vendors such as Interwoven and Microsoft offer content management software to control and automate significant aspects of the content lifecycle.
See More Skills
Skills Demand Percentage
Commitment 6.18%
Microsoft Office 2.06%
Content Management 1.14%
What skills can make your compensation higher?
Mastering certain specialized skills can lead to a significant increase in pay. Here are examples of skills and the potential impact they can have on a Library Archivist's salary.
  • WordPress: Can increase your salary by up to 13%.
  • Consulting: Can increase your salary by up to 11%.
  • Dedication: Can increase your salary by up to 8%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
WordPress
$84,569
13%
Consulting
$83,072
11%
Dedication
$80,827
8%
Fundraising
$80,827
8%
Project Management
$77,834
4%
Strategic Planning
$77,834
4%
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How Education impacts a Library Archivist's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Library Archivists enter the field with a Master's Degree or MBA degree, higher education can lead to more specialized and higher-paying roles.

According to our 100% employer-reported salary data, the median salary for a Library Archivist with a Master's Degree or MBA is between $77,414 and $85,283).

Library Archivist Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Library Archivist
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 26.7%
High School 26.7%
Associates 40.0%
Bachelors 20.0%
Masters 40.0%
Doctorate 13.3%
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Library Archivist Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Library Archivist's annual salary breaks down can help with budgeting. Below, you can see the average hourly rate, weekly pay, and monthly pay for this role. Use the buttons to switch between different pay periods.

Last Updated on April 01, 2026

Library Archivist Salary Growth & Career Path

For a Library Archivist, the most direct path to higher earnings is advancing to the Document Storage Specialist role. This promotion typically comes with a significant pay increase, bringing the average annual salary to $56,801 - a projected growth of -24% over your current level.

Salary Trends for Library Archivist

Salaries for a Library Archivist can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary decreased from $71,547 in 2023 to around $71,462 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of Library Archivist salary trends, .

Average Annual Salary of Library Archivist Over Time

2022
$???
2023
$71,547
2024
$72,005
2025
$71,462
2026
$???
2027
$???
Year Average Annual Salary
2022
View More
2023 $71,547
2024 $72,005
2025 $71,462
2026
View More
2027
View More

Most common benefits for Library Archivist

Social Security
401(k)
Disability
Healthcare
Pension
Time Off (days)
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Common company salaries for Library Archivist

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FAQ about Library Archivist

1. Do you need a history degree to be an archivist?

To become an archivist, a degree in history, library science, archival science, or a related field is typically preferred. Experience in database management and basic computer skills is also valuable. Salaries for library archivists range from $69,540 to $99,020, with a median salary of $82,500, reflecting the importance of education and experience in this field.

2. Do you need a PHD to be an archivist?

To become an archivist, a master's degree is typically required rather than a PhD. It's important to focus on a college preparatory curriculum in high school, emphasizing library and research skills. As for salary, Library Archivists can expect to earn between $69,540 and $99,020, with a median salary of around $82,500.

3. What is the personality of an archivist?

As a Library Archivist, you'll need to be methodical and detail-oriented, with strong communication skills to supervise staff effectively. An interest in history and information management is essential. The salary range for this role typically falls between $69,540 and $99,020, with a median salary of $82,500, reflecting the importance of these skills in the profession.

4. Do archivists make more than librarians?

Archivists generally earn less than librarians, with a salary range for archivists between $69,540 and $99,020. The average salary for a Library Archivist is around $82,500. In comparison, librarians often have higher salaries, reflecting the differences in responsibilities and job markets.

5. Is it worth becoming an archivist?

Becoming an archivist can be worthwhile, especially considering the salary range. The minimum salary is $69,540, with a mid-range salary of $82,500 and a maximum of $99,020. Additionally, the job outlook is promising, with a projected 14% growth in employment opportunities from 2016 to 2026, which is significantly higher than the national average for all occupations.

6. Are archivists in high demand?

Archivists are indeed in high demand, with an estimated 9,400 professionals in the U.S. The job market for archivists is projected to grow by 8.5% from 2022 to 2032. Salaries for library archivists range from a minimum of $69,540 to a mid-point of $82,500, reaching up to a maximum of $99,020, reflecting the increasing value of their expertise.

Where Does Our Salary Data Come From?

Salary.com provides salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons using data from employer job postings and third-party sources.

We offer detailed salary information across multiple percentiles for your reference. (Click here to learn Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial for Achieving Pay Equity.)

With the most extensive online, real-time compensation data available, Salary.com helps you pinpoint your exact pay target.

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