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

Historians fall under the Life, Physical, and Social Science category in the U.S. occupational classification. Historians earn a median salary of $74,050 per year, ranking in the top 30% of all U.S. occupations. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects +2.2% job growth through 2034, projected to grow slower than 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 historians earn?

The median annual wage for historians is $74,050. That puts historians at #243 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 historians a growing career?

The 10-year outlook for historians is +2.2%, projected to grow slower than the US average. Employment is projected to move from approximately 3K positions in 2024 to 3K in 2034, a net change of 0K. Flat growth typically reflects a mature, stable field. Most openings will come from retirements rather than new positions, which can favor candidates with strong networks and willingness to relocate.

What do historians do every day?

According to O*NET task surveys of working historians, these are the core responsibilities most professionals perform. This is what your teen would actually be doing in this role.

1. 1.Determine which topics to research, or pursue research topics specified by clients or employers.
2. 2.Trace historical development in a particular field, such as social, cultural, political, or diplomatic history.
3. 3.Gather historical data from sources such as archives, court records, diaries, news files, and photographs, as well as from books, pamphlets, and periodicals.
4. 4.Research the history of a particular country or region, or of a specific time period.
5. 5.Research and prepare manuscripts in support of public programming and the development of exhibits at historic sites, museums, libraries, and archives.
6. 6.Speak to various groups, organizations, and clubs to promote the aims and activities of historical societies.
7. 7.Organize data, and analyze and interpret its authenticity and relative significance.
8. 8.Prepare publications and exhibits, or review those prepared by others, to ensure their historical accuracy.

Top skills for historians

O*NET ranks these as the most important skills for this occupation, on a 1–5 importance scale derived from worker surveys.

What education does my child need to become historian?

The standard path into historians 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

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Common questions parents ask about historians