Archivists: Salary, Job Outlook & How to Become One (2026 Parent Guide)

Archivists fall under the Education, Training, and Library category in the U.S. occupational classification. Archivists earn a median salary of $64,550 per year, ranking in the top 44% of all U.S. occupations. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects +3.4% job growth through 2035, projected to grow at roughly the US average. Entry into this field typically requires a bachelor's degree, with specific licensing or certification depending on the state and employer. For parents whose teenager is exploring this path, the most actionable step is mapping the education requirements to specific colleges and majors before junior year — not waiting until application season.

What do archivists earn?

The median annual wage for archivists is $64,550. That puts archivists at #365 on the BLS ranked list of all U.S. occupations by median pay. This salary is above the U.S. median for individual workers and reflects a stable, credentialed occupation. Actual pay varies meaningfully by state, employer type, and years of experience — entry-level salaries are typically 30–40% below the median, while top-decile earners often exceed it by 50% or more.

Is archivists a growing career?

The 10-year outlook for archivists is +3.4%, projected to grow at roughly the US average. Employment is projected to move from approximately 10K positions in 2024 to 10K in 2034, a net change of <1K. Average growth signals a healthy, resilient occupation that mirrors broader U.S. employment trends. Job availability tends to track regional economic conditions.

What education does my child need to become archivist?

The standard path into archivists begins with a bachelor's degree in a related field, followed by entry-level experience or internships during college. For parents helping a teen prepare, the highest-leverage step before junior year is identifying colleges and programs that feed reliably into this occupation — Solyo's college search lets parents filter by major and admissions data side by side.

Related careers your child might also consider

• Middle School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education
  $64,370 median
• Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education
  $63,970 median
• Career/Technical Education Teachers, Postsecondary
  $63,820 median
• Curators
  $63,420 median
• Kindergarten Teachers, Except Special Education
  $62,680 median
• Adult Basic Education, Adult Secondary Education, and English as a Second Language Instructors
  $61,540 median

Common questions parents ask about archivists