Archivists

25-4011.00 Zone 5 — Extensive Preparation Needed

Appraise, edit, and direct safekeeping of permanent records and historically valuable documents. Participate in research activities based on archival materials.

Also known as: Accessioning Archivist, Archives Specialist, Archives Technician (Archives Tech), Archivist, Digital Archivist, Digital Asset Archivist, Digitization Assistant, Document Management Technician (Document Management Tech), ...

Annual Salary

$61,570

Median annual wage (May 2024)

$47,890 25th – 75th percentile $79,850
10th percentile $39,330
90th percentile $104,780
U.S. Employment: 7,050

Job Outlook

+3.8%

Projected growth, 2024–2034 (About average)

Annual Job Openings 1,100 per year (avg. 2024–2034)
Typical education: Master's degree

What You'd Do

  • Create and maintain accessible, retrievable computer archives and databases, incorporating current advances in electronic information storage technology.
  • Organize archival records and develop classification systems to facilitate access to archival materials.
  • Authenticate and appraise historical documents and archival materials.
  • Provide reference services and assistance for users needing archival materials.
  • Direct activities of workers who assist in arranging, cataloguing, exhibiting, and maintaining collections of valuable materials.
  • Prepare archival records, such as document descriptions, to allow easy access to information.
  • Preserve records, documents, and objects, copying records to film, videotape, audiotape, disk, or computer formats as necessary.
  • Establish and administer policy guidelines concerning public access and use of materials.
  • Locate new materials and direct their acquisition and display.
  • Research and record the origins and historical significance of archival materials.

Top Skills

Reading Comprehension 4.1
Active Listening 3.9
Writing 3.9
Speaking 3.5
Critical Thinking 3.4
Active Learning 3.4
Complex Problem Solving 3.3
Judgment and Decision Making 3.1

Importance scale: 1 (low) – 5 (high)

Knowledge Areas

History and Archeology 4.4
English Language 4.0
Customer and Personal Service 3.9
Computers and Electronics 3.8
Administration and Management 3.7
Administrative 3.5
Education and Training 3.4
Law and Government 3.2

Importance scale: 1 (low) – 5 (high)

Education Level Distribution

Percentage of workers in this occupation by education level

Master's
83.9%
Bachelor's
6.5%
Post-Master's
6.5%
Post-Bacc Cert
3.2%

Technology & Tools

Software and tools commonly used in this role

In-Demand Technologies

Adobe Acrobat Adobe Creative Cloud software Adobe Illustrator Adobe InDesign Adobe Photoshop Extensible markup language XML Hypertext markup language HTML Microsoft Access Microsoft Excel Microsoft Office software Microsoft Outlook Microsoft PowerPoint Microsoft Word

Other Tools

Adlib Information Systems Adlib Archive Adobe Premiere Pro Apple Final Cut Pro Archivists' Toolkit Archon Corel Paint Shop Pro Database software DiMeMa CONTENTdm Dynamic hypertext markup language DHTML Encoded archival system EAD Esri ArcGIS FileMaker Pro Gallery Systems The Museum System Geographic information system GIS systems Omeka software +2 more

Work Styles

Personality traits and work styles important for this career

2.9
Attention to Detail
2.7
Dependability
2.4
Integrity
2.3
Intellectual Curiosity
2.1
Cautiousness
1.8
Cooperation
1.6
Perseverance

Key Abilities

Cognitive, physical, and sensory abilities important for this role

Written Comprehension 4.0
Category Flexibility 4.0
Oral Expression 3.9
Written Expression 3.9
Near Vision 3.9
Information Ordering 3.9
Oral Comprehension 3.8
Deductive Reasoning 3.6

Importance scale: 1 (low) – 5 (high)

Work Activities

General types of job behaviors occurring on this job

Documenting/Recording Information 4.7
Working with Computers 4.5
Getting Information 4.4
Processing Information 4.4
Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge 4.4
Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events 4.2
Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work 4.1
Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates 4.1

Importance scale: 1 (low) – 5 (high)

Work Environment

Physical and social factors that influence the nature of work

E-Mail
5.0
Indoors, Environmentally Controlled
4.9
Face-to-Face Discussions with Individuals and Within Teams
4.7
Deal With External Customers or the Public in General
4.2
Telephone Conversations
4.1
Contact With Others
4.1
Freedom to Make Decisions
4.0
Spend Time Sitting
4.0
Work With or Contribute to a Work Group or Team
4.0
Determine Tasks, Priorities and Goals
4.0
Importance of Being Exact or Accurate
4.0
Importance of Repeating Same Tasks
3.7

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Salary data: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2024. Outlook data: BLS Employment Projections, 2024–2034.

This page includes information from the O*NET 30.2 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license.