Librarian
Help people find information, discover books and build skills.
- $68,270
- Bachelor’s plus 1–2 year master’s
Education & Childcare career
Archivist
Also called: Digital Archivist · Records Archivist · Manuscript Curator · Special Collections Archivist
What archivists do, what they earn, how long training takes and how to get started, with official BLS pay data and practical, job-level detail.
What does an archivist do?
Archivists appraise, process, catalog and preserve permanent records and historically valuable documents. The median pay is $64,550 per year (BLS, May 2025), most people train for about 2 years after a bachelor’s, and employment is projected to grow +3.4% from 2025–35.
Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026
- Median pay$64,550$31.03/hour · May 2025
- Job growth+3.4%2025–35, about as fast as average
- Openings per year1,100Average, 2025–35
- Typical entry educationMaster's degreeBLS classification
- Time to train2 years after a bachelor’sTypical program length
- U.S. jobs10,300Employment, 2025
What archivists do
Archivists keep history usable. They decide which records to keep, organize and describe collections, preserve paper, photos, film and digital files, write finding aids, and help researchers, historians and the public find what they need. They work for universities, governments, museums and companies.
Most have a master’s degree in library science, archival studies or history. BLS projects about average growth.
Typical duties
- Appraise records
- Arrange and describe collections
- Write finding aids
- Preserve materials
- Digitize collections
- Help researchers
- Manage digital records
Work environment and schedule
Archivists work in archives, libraries, museums, government offices and corporations.
Schedule: Full-time daytime hours, sometimes with project-based roles.
A day in the life
- Process a donated collection of letters.
- Rehouse photos in archival folders.
- Help a researcher in the reading room.
- Write a finding aid.
See a full day in the life of an archivist →
Archivist salary
Half of archivists earned more than $64,550 and half earned less in May 2025. Pay ranged from about $39,970 for the lowest 10% to $110,550 for the top 10%.
Full archivist pay scale and hourly rates →
How to become an archivist
- Earn a bachelor’s
- Volunteer or intern
- Earn a master’s
- Work as an archives assistant
- Earn the CA
A master’s degree in library science, archival studies, history or a related field is typical.
Step-by-step guide to becoming an archivist →
Skills and tools
Technical skills
- Archival arrangement
- Description standards
- Preservation
- Digital records management
- Metadata
People skills
- Attention to detail
- Patience
- Curiosity
- Organization
All archivist skills and tools →
Pros and cons
Pros
- Work with history
- Quiet, focused work
- Help researchers
- Digital skills growing in value
Cons
- Competitive jobs
- Grant-funded positions
- Dust and heavy boxes
- Moderate pay
Certifications and licenses
- Certified Archivist: Academy of Certified Archivists.
- Digital Archives Specialist: SAA certificate.
- MLIS with archives focus: Common degree.
- Records management training: Valued.
Career path
- Archives Assistant: Entry.
- Archivist: Process collections.
- Senior Archivist: Lead projects.
- Head of Special Collections: Lead archives.
Learn the job before day one
Our Archivist training (10 hours, $89.99) covers the role, 15+ key terms, step-by-step procedures such as process a small archival collection and plan a digitization project, safety and how to land your first job.
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Compare: Archivist vs. Librarian · Archivist vs. Curator · Archivist vs. Historian · Archivist vs. Library Science Professor
Archivist FAQ
What’s the difference between an archivist and a librarian?
Archivists manage unique records; librarians manage published materials.
Do archivists need a master’s?
Usually, yes.
Is digital work important?
Yes, born-digital records are a growing part of the job.
How much does an archivist make?
The median annual wage for archivists was $64,550 ($31.03 per hour) in May 2025, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The lowest 10% earned less than $39,970 and the highest 10% earned more than $110,550.
How long does it take to become an archivist?
Most people need about 2 years after a bachelor’s of training. A master’s degree in library science, archival studies, history or a related field is typical.
Do you need a degree to be an archivist?
Yes. BLS lists a master's degree as the typical entry-level education.
Sources
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025, SOC 25-4011 (Archivists).
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS Employment Projections, Table 1.2 (2025–35).
- O*NET OnLine summary for Archivists (U.S. Department of Labor).
- BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook.
Reviewed by the Career Education Institute Curriculum Team. Pay figures are national estimates; local pay varies. See our editorial policy.