History Professor
Teach college students how the past shaped today and how to study it.
- $83,820
- 6–8 years after a bachelor’s
Science, Engineering & Lab career
Historian
Also called: Public Historian · Research Historian · Archival Historian · Museum Historian
What historians 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 a historian do?
Historians research, analyze, interpret and write about the past by studying historical documents and sources. The median pay is $76,750 per year (BLS, May 2025), most people train for about 2 years after a bachelor’s, and employment is projected to grow +3.0% from 2025–35.
Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026
- Median pay$76,750$36.90/hour · May 2025
- Job growth+3.0%2025–35, about as fast as average
- Openings per year300Average, 2025–35
- Typical entry educationMaster's degreeBLS classification
- Time to train2 years after a bachelor’sTypical program length
- U.S. jobs3,800Employment, 2025
What historians do
Historians tell the story of the past. They research archives, interview people, write reports and exhibits, preserve historic sites and help governments, museums, companies and communities understand history.
A master’s degree is typical; research roles may need a Ph.D. It is a small field.
Typical duties
- Research archives
- Conduct oral histories
- Write reports
- Develop exhibits
- Preserve records
- Answer research requests
- Present to the public
Work environment and schedule
Historians work in offices, archives, museums and historic sites.
Schedule: Full-time business hours.
A day in the life
- Research in the archive.
- Record an oral history.
- Write exhibit text.
- Answer a research request.
See a full day in the life of a historian →
Historian salary
Half of historians earned more than $76,750 and half earned less in May 2025. Pay ranged from about $42,730 for the lowest 10% to $131,810 for the top 10%.
Full historian pay scale and hourly rates →
How to become a historian
- Earn a history bachelor’s
- Intern at a museum or archive
- Earn a master’s
- Get hired
- Advance
A master’s degree in history or public history is typical.
Step-by-step guide to becoming a historian →
Skills and tools
Technical skills
- Historical research
- Archival methods
- Writing
- Oral history
- Exhibit development
People skills
- Curiosity
- Storytelling
- Attention to detail
- Communication
All historian skills and tools →
Pros and cons
Pros
- Meaningful work
- Archives and stories
- Public engagement
- Varied employers
Cons
- Small field
- Grad degree needed
- Modest pay at nonprofits
- Competitive jobs
Certifications and licenses
- Master’s in history: Typical.
- Ph.D.: For research.
- Archives certificate: Helpful.
- Historic preservation certificate: Helpful.
Career path
- Research Assistant: Entry.
- Historian: Research.
- Senior Historian: Lead.
- Chief Historian: Lead programs.
Learn the job before day one
Our Historian training (10 hours, $89.99) covers the role, 15+ key terms, step-by-step procedures such as conduct an oral history interview and write museum exhibit text, safety and how to land your first job.
Related careers
Archivist
Preserve historical records and help people find them.
- $64,550
- 2 years after a bachelor’s
Curator
Build museum collections and plan exhibitions that tell stories.
- $63,420
- 2 years after a bachelor’s plus experience
Archaeologist
Uncover and study artifacts and sites to learn about past human life.
- $70,770
- Bachelor’s plus field school; master’s for leadership
Compare: Historian vs. History Professor · Historian vs. Archivist · Historian vs. Curator · Historian vs. Archaeologist
Historian FAQ
Where do historians work?
Government agencies, museums, historic sites and companies.
Do I need a master’s?
Usually.
Is the field small?
Yes.
How much does a historian make?
The median annual wage for historians was $76,750 ($36.90 per hour) in May 2025, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The lowest 10% earned less than $42,730 and the highest 10% earned more than $131,810.
How long does it take to become a historian?
Most people need about 2 years after a bachelor’s of training. A master’s degree in history or public history is typical.
Do you need a degree to be a historian?
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 19-3093 (Historians).
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS Employment Projections, Table 1.2 (2025–35).
- O*NET OnLine summary for Historians (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.