How to Become an Archivist: Education, Salary, and Job Outlook for 2025

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Becoming an archivist unlocks the door to preserving our shared history, safeguarding documents, and curating culturally significant records. Archivists organize and maintain valuable collections, from old manuscripts to digital files, ensuring future generations access vital information. This career blends research, technology, and a passion for storytelling, making it truly rewarding for those who love exploration.

Archivists play a crucial role in museums, libraries, and government agencies, shaping how history is remembered. In this article, you'll discover the education paths, skills, and professional insights needed to embark on this fascinating journey into the past and its preservation.

What are the benefits of becoming an archivist?

The archivist field is expected to grow by 8% through 2025, reflecting steady demand for professionals preserving historical records and digital information.
Archivists typically earn an average salary of around $60,000, with opportunities increasing in government, museums, and private sectors.
A career as an archivist offers a unique blend of research, preservation, and discovery, ideal for those passionate about history and information management.

What credentials do you need to become an archivist?

Becoming an archivist in the United States requires a combination of academic qualifications and professional credentials. The journey often begins with foundational studies before advancing to specialized higher education and certification. These steps align closely with archivist education requirements 2025, ensuring candidates remain competitive in a changing field.

Here are the typical credentials aspiring archivists pursue:

Bachelor's degree: Usually earned in history, library science, political science, or related fields, this undergraduate degree establishes essential knowledge and critical thinking skills. The major is often flexible, allowing for interdisciplinary exploration.
Master's degree: Most archivist roles require a master's degree in archival studies, library and information science, or history. Graduate programs include archival coursework and practicum or internship experiences that prepare students for real-world challenges.
Advanced degrees: A doctorate is generally reserved for senior academic roles, but specialized graduate programs like the Master of Archives and Records Administration (MARA) address evolving industry needs.
Professional certification: The Academy of Certified Archivists (ACA) offers certification, which as of 2025, no longer requires prior education or work experience for the exam, broadening access to certified archivist qualifications United States-wide.
Continuing education: Workshops and professional associations play a critical role in ongoing development, keeping archivists abreast of new technologies and methods.

Requirements can vary depending on the state, employer, or archival specialty, with some roles emphasizing subject matter expertise or language skills. For those seeking quick credentials, exploring the best associate degree in 6 months online accredited may provide a helpful starting point in related fields.

What skills do you need to have as an archivist?

Successful archivists blend careful organization with a spirit of discovery, navigating technologies and historical materials with equal skill. Developing key abilities is essential to preserving and interpreting the past in a meaningful way. Mastering both technical and interpersonal skills opens doors to a rewarding career in archival work.

The core skills for archivists include:

Archival Processing: Managing collections by accessioning, arranging, and documenting them according to accepted standards like DACS or EAD.
Metadata Creation: Crafting and maintaining metadata for physical and digital items using frameworks such as Dublin Core or IIIF.
Digital Preservation: Employing workflows and tools to safeguard long-term access to born-digital and digitized materials within digital repositories.
Research Support: Assisting with reference inquiries, aiding researchers, and making archival holdings understandable to diverse audiences.
Records Management: Keeping detailed logs of acquisitions, removals, and transfers within collections.
Project Collaboration: Engaging in multidisciplinary initiatives, educational programming, and community outreach activities.
Technical Software Skills: Utilizing systems like Microsoft Office and archive-specific platforms such as EMu effectively.
Organization and Time Management: Prioritizing and handling extensive, complex collections efficiently.
Communication and Teamwork: Collaborating with colleagues, donors, and the public while working independently when needed.

What is the typical career progression for an archivist?

Embarking on a career as an archivist invites you to delve into history while influencing how it is preserved and understood. This evolving path offers hands-on involvement with valuable records and growing leadership opportunities. Each stage builds new expertise and expands your impact in the field.

Assistant Archivist (0-2 years): Engage in detailed work processing and cataloging materials, developing strong organizational abilities and attention to detail.
Archivist (2-5 years): Take on responsibilities such as evaluating, acquiring, and maintaining collections to ensure their preservation and accessibility.
Senior Archivist (5-10 years): Lead teams, manage resources, and create strategies that involve collaboration across departments and enhance institutional goals.
Specialization Tracks: Focus on areas like digital preservation, audiovisual collections, or legal and compliance records, refining niche expertise.
Lateral Moves: Explore related fields including records management, digital asset management, or museum curation to broaden professional scope.

Throughout this journey, forging connections, seeking mentorship, and embracing ongoing education are essential to uncover new possibilities and grow within this dynamic profession.

How much can you earn as an archivist?

The role of an archivist invites curiosity and adventure, offering a career path rich with historical discovery and expertise-building. In 2025, the financial landscape for archivists reflects this varied journey, influenced by location, experience, and specialization.

For those exploring the archivist salary in the United States, average annual pay hovers around $57,100, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Entry-level archivists typically start near $45,750, while experienced professionals can earn upwards of $78,000. In cities with deep historical roots such as Boston, Seattle, or Washington, DC, salaries may exceed $84,000, reflecting regional demand and specialization. The average archivist salary by state can vary significantly, making location a key factor in earning potential.

Education and specialized training play pivotal roles, with advanced degrees or expertise in digital archiving, conservation, or rare collections often translating into higher salaries. Pursuing certificate programs that pay well in these areas can accelerate career growth and open doors to unique archival opportunities.

Whether working with government archives, corporate collections, or rare historical artifacts, archivists who embrace ongoing learning and specialization will find their earnings and career prospects expanding as they navigate this dynamic field.

What internships can you apply for to gain experience as an archivist?

Exploring Archival Internship Opportunities Nationwide is an exciting way to gain hands-on experience and make meaningful connections in the archival profession. These internships span diverse sectors, from national repositories to museums and academic libraries, providing practical skills that give aspiring archivists a competitive edge.

The National Archives offers voluntary internships in locations such as San Francisco and Dallas. Interns engage in archival processing, document preparation, digitization, and creating metadata-essential competencies for any archivist.
The Whitney Museum of American Art provides a paid internship for Fall 2025 focused on modern and contemporary art. Interns assist with reference services, digitize archival materials, and edit metadata using ArchivesSpace, gaining valuable museum experience.
The University of Michigan's Special Collections Research Center offers archival processing internships oriented to graduate students in library and information science. These placements deliver professional-level tasks under experienced archivists' mentorship, ideal for academic settings.

These opportunities highlight Archivist Internships in the United States that are tailored to diverse interests and specialties within the field. Whether you seek museum work, national records management, or academic archives, these internships deepen expertise and foster essential networking skills.

For those committed to advancing their education alongside real-world experience, consider exploring options such as a cheap phd program to complement your archival training, expanding your qualifications for the job market as demand grows through 2025.

How can you advance your career as an archivist?

Archivists eager to expand their professional horizons have multiple dynamic routes to explore. Embracing continuous growth and community engagement can open doors to exciting opportunities in this evolving field.

Continuing education: Enrolling in workshops and online courses through professional bodies like the Society of American Archivists helps archivists stay updated on emerging trends, digital tools, and best practices.
Certification: Earning credentials such as the Certified Archivist designation from the Academy of Certified Archivists showcases expertise and enhances professional credibility.
Networking: Building connections by participating in archives associations, conferences, and online forums allows archivists to share ideas, uncover job prospects, and collaborate on innovative projects.
Mentorship: Engaging with experienced professionals offers guidance in mastering archival challenges, leadership development, and exploring specialized roles within the discipline.
Leadership roles: Taking on positions like Lead Archivist or Collections Manager provides greater responsibility and influence, shaping organizational direction and archival strategy.
Cross-disciplinary projects: Involvement in collaborative initiatives beyond traditional archival duties broadens skills and encourages creative approaches to preserving history and engaging communities.

Where can you work as an archivist?

Exploring archivist jobs in United States reveals a variety of fascinating environments where professionals preserve history and manage vital records. Whether working in traditional settings or modern digital spaces, archivists play a key role in maintaining cultural memory and supporting research. The opportunities range across museums, universities, government, and corporate sectors.

For those pursuing museum and university archivist positions, the scope of work includes curation, special collections management, and scholarly collaboration. Professionals interested in innovating with digital records may also find exciting roles in new media and technology organizations.

Museums: Institutions like the Smithsonian Institution and the Metropolitan Museum of Art hire archivists to curate historical artifacts and manage comprehensive collections.
Universities and Libraries: Facilities such as Harvard University and the University of California, Berkeley employ archivists to oversee special collections and support academic research.
Government Agencies: The National Archives and Records Administration and other public entities focus on preserving government records and ensuring public access to information.
Corporate Archives: Companies like Google and Microsoft engage archivists to manage digital records, support data governance, and help navigate information compliance challenges.
Non-profit Organizations: Historical societies and community archives preserve local histories and foster public engagement with archival materials.

For those looking to enter this field quickly, pursuing short programs that pay well can provide a practical introduction with promising career prospects.

What challenges will you encounter as an archivist?

The archival field offers a unique blend of history and advanced technology, inviting those eager to explore both. Yet, this path demands persistence and adaptability as the landscape continues evolving. Aspiring archivists should prepare for several key challenges along the way.

Competitive Job Market: Permanent archival roles often attract applicants nationwide, especially as remote options expand. Finding a secure, on-site position typically takes between four and nine months.
Unstable Funding: Many archival jobs rely on grants or short-term public funds, causing frequent hiring freezes and temporary contracts. Financial planning and willingness to relocate can be crucial.
Rapid Technological Changes: Archivists must keep up with the latest in digital preservation and evolving file formats. By 2025, a blend of subject expertise and technical ability will be expected, widening the skills gap for many candidates.
Physical and Emotional Strain: Handling collections often involves repetitive, labor-intensive tasks and exposure to sensitive or difficult materials that require ethical care and can impact mental health.
Slow Career Growth: Advancement is usually gradual due to small team sizes and flat organizational structures. Progress may mean moving between institutions or transitioning into related sectors. Despite this, the field is projected to grow nearly 10% from 2022 to 2032, signaling steady opportunities.

What tips do you need to know to excel as an archivist?

The world of archives is ever-changing, inviting those with a passion for discovery and lifelong learning to thrive. As technology advances and preservation methods evolve, archivists must stay eager to adapt and grow. Embracing both formal education and real-world practice can unlock new opportunities and deepen expertise.

Engage actively in professional development through workshops, online communities, and membership in groups like the Society of American Archivists to stay current with emerging tools and standards.
Seek out internships or volunteer positions at archives, museums, or historical organizations to gain hands-on experience in cataloging, digitization, and handling fragile materials.
Build a portfolio reflecting 100 to 300 hours of practical work, showcasing specific projects such as digitization efforts or preservation strategies that highlight your technical skills.
Develop a targeted resume along with a digital portfolio emphasizing your familiarity with archival software like Archivematica and ArchivesSpace, and your understanding of metadata frameworks such as Dublin Core and PREMIS.
Foster professional connections by finding mentors, attending annual conferences, and conducting informational interviews to gain insights into the field and evolving job market.

How do you know if becoming an archivist is the right career choice for you?

Wondering whether an archivist career is the right fit for you? This journey suits those fascinated by history, eager to preserve stories from the past, and motivated by organizing valuable information. To help decide if this path aligns with your passions and strengths, consider the following qualities needed to be an archivist.

Passion for history: Archivists share a deep curiosity about the past and a respect for preserving knowledge through manuscripts, photographs, or historical objects.
Detail-oriented mindset: The role thrives on meticulous tasks like cataloging, digitizing, and organizing records, requiring patience and precision.
Analytical skills: Assessing the significance and origin of materials demands strong research capabilities and problem-solving aptitude.
Work preferences: Archivist positions offer stable routines within libraries, museums, or government agencies, suiting those who value predictable environments over fast-paced change.
Values alignment: If contributing to cultural heritage and career stability matter to you, this profession can be deeply satisfying.
Real-world experience: Enjoying internships in archives, volunteering at museums, or excelling in relevant courses often signals a strong fit for this career path.

If you find long periods of quiet work draining or dislike organizing information, you may want to explore other options. For those attracted to thoughtful, independent work combined with collaboration, becoming an archivist could be a rewarding choice. For additional insights on whether this fits your personal career goals, you might explore resources about the best high paying careers for introverts.

What Professionals Who Work as an archivist Say About Their Careers

Choosing a career as an archivist has provided me with remarkable job stability and competitive salary growth, especially given the increasing emphasis on digital preservation. The blend of historical knowledge and technology makes this profession both secure and rewarding.
Wylder
Working as an archivist presents unique challenges daily, from managing sensitive historical records to implementing innovative digital systems. This constant evolution in the industry keeps me engaged and continuously learning, which I find deeply fulfilling.
Mustafa
The opportunity for professional development in archival work is impressive, with numerous specialized training programs and certifications that can lead to advanced roles. My journey has been one of continual growth, allowing me to expand my expertise and impact on preserving cultural heritage.
Bowen

Other Things You Should Know About Becoming an archivist

What types of collections do archivists typically manage?

Archivists manage a range of collections, including historical documents, photographs, audio-visual materials, digital records, and artifacts. These collections often come from institutions such as museums, government agencies, corporations, and universities. The diversity of materials requires archivists to be knowledgeable about various preservation and cataloging techniques specific to each type of medium.

How does technology impact the work of an archivist?

Technology plays a central role in modern archival work by facilitating digital preservation, electronic record management, and online access to collections. Archivists use specialized software to organize and catalog materials, as well as tools for digitizing physical records. Staying updated on technological advances is essential to effectively manage both traditional and electronic archives.

Are archivists involved in public outreach or education?

Yes, many archivists engage in public outreach and educational activities to share their collections with broader audiences. This can include organizing exhibitions, creating digital archives accessible online, conducting workshops, and collaborating with researchers or educators. These efforts help raise awareness about the historical significance of their collections.

What ethical considerations are important in archival work?

Archivists must adhere to ethical standards related to privacy, confidentiality, and the accurate representation of records. They are responsible for ensuring sensitive information is protected while maintaining transparency and accessibility. Ethical considerations also involve decisions about what to preserve and how to respect the cultural significance of archival materials.