Also called: Records archivist, University archivist
Preserves and organizes historical documents, photos, recordings, and digital files so people can use them.
Archivists sort through boxes of old letters, describe collections so researchers can find them, digitize fragile items, and help historians, filmmakers, and families find records. Some work for the National Archives, corporations, or sports teams.
BLS archivists, May 2024 estimate.
Approximate: anchored on Bureau of Labor Statistics data for a broader job group.
Master's degree, about 6 years after high school. Bachelor's in any subject plus a Master of Library and Information Science (MLIS/MLS, 1-2 years).
Ways in: Graduate school. Training cost: $60k – $150k.
Majors to look at: History, Library Science, Public History.
Growing faster than average (about 6% over 10 years). BLS projects archivists, curators, and museum workers to grow faster than average.
Low risk in 5 years, medium in 10. AI transcribes handwriting and describes collections, speeding work; handling fragile items and helping researchers stay human.
Classes: AP US History, AP English Language, Computer applications.
Official data: O*NET occupation 25-4011.
Career Universe is an early version. Pay, training and AI-risk figures are estimates to start your own research, not verified facts. The research was written with AI research assistants, checked by validation scripts and spot-checked by hand. Check anything important with schools, employers and official sources. How the numbers work.