CFChooseField
Education

Archivists

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

Visual summary of pay, outlook, skills, interests, and preparation for Archivists
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Median pay

$61,570
Median annual pay for Archivists.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024
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10-year growth

3.8%
Projected employment growth from 2024 to 2034.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024–2034 projections
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Annual openings

1,100
Projected annual openings, including growth and replacement demand.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024–2034 projections
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Employment

9,300
Estimated U.S. employment for Archivists in 2024.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024
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Jobs added or lost

+400
Projected numeric employment change from 2024 to 2034.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024–2034 projections
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Entry preparation

Master's degree
Typical education needed to enter Archivists.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024 profile
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O*NET occupation profile

What the work involves

Strongest O*NET signals first.

Essential skills

  1. 1Reading Comprehension
  2. 2Active Listening
  3. 3Writing
  4. 4Speaking
  5. 5Active Learning
  6. 6Critical Thinking

Knowledge areas

  1. 1History and Archeology
  2. 2English Language
  3. 3Customer and Personal Service
  4. 4Computers and Electronics
  5. 5Administration and Management
  6. 6Administrative

Abilities

  1. 1Category Flexibility
  2. 2Written Comprehension
  3. 3Information Ordering
  4. 4Near Vision
  5. 5Oral Expression
  6. 6Written Expression

Career interests

  1. 1Conventional
  2. 2Investigative
  3. 3Social
  4. 4Artistic
  5. 5Realistic
  6. 6Enterprising

Work styles

  1. 1Attention to Detail
  2. 2Dependability
  3. 3Integrity
  4. 4Intellectual Curiosity
  5. 5Cautiousness
  6. 6Cooperation

Work activities

  1. 1Documenting/Recording Information
  2. 2Working with Computers
  3. 3Getting Information
  4. 4Processing Information
  5. 5Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge
  6. 6Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events

Work context

  1. 1E-Mail
  2. 2Indoors, Environmentally Controlled
  3. 3Face-to-Face Discussions with Individuals and Within Teams
  4. 4Deal With External Customers or the Public in General
  5. 5Telephone Conversations
  6. 6Contact With Others

Representative tasks

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

Software and tools

Microsoft Outlook · in demandMicrosoft Office software · in demandMicrosoft Excel · in demandArchivists' Toolkit · in demandAdobe Acrobat · hot technologyAdobe Creative Cloud software · hot technologyAdobe Illustrator · hot technologyAdobe InDesign · hot technologyAdobe Photoshop · hot technologyMicrosoft Word · hot technologyExtensible markup language XML · hot technologyMicrosoft PowerPoint · hot technology

Sources

BLS provides national pay, employment, and projections. O*NET provides skills, interests, preparation, tasks, work context, and tools.

ChooseField compares fields using public labor-market and professional sources.