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Archivists Salary in Washington, DC

In the 2025 U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS dataset, Archivists in Washington, DC have a median annual salary of $84,590, with 670 recorded jobs in this area. Recorded earnings range from $52,110 at the 10th percentile to $132,620 at the 90th percentile.

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS · Data year: 2025 · Last updated: 2026-09-22

Salary overview

Median annual salary

$84,590

Data year: 2025

Hourly median

$40.67

Employment

670

Source

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS

Salary distribution

$52,110
10th
$60,320
25th
$84,590
Median
$112,290
75th
$132,620
90th

Local compared with national

Washington, DC

$84,590

Median annual · 2025

United States

$64,550

Median annual · 2025

The Washington, DC median is 31.0% above the national median in the available dataset (a difference of $20,040).

Top skills

  1. 1.Reading ComprehensionImportance 4.1
  2. 2.Active ListeningImportance 3.9
  3. 3.WritingImportance 3.9
  4. 4.SpeakingImportance 3.5
  5. 5.Critical ThinkingImportance 3.4
  6. 6.Active LearningImportance 3.4
  7. 7.Complex Problem SolvingImportance 3.3
  8. 8.Service OrientationImportance 3.1
  9. 9.Judgment and Decision MakingImportance 3.1
  10. 10.MonitoringImportance 3.0
  11. 11.Learning StrategiesImportance 2.9
  12. 12.CoordinationImportance 2.9

Career information

Education and experience

Typical education
Master's Degree
Experience
Over 6 months, up to and including 1 year
Job zone
5

Technology used

  • Adlib Information Systems Adlib Archive
  • Adobe Acrobat
  • Adobe Creative Cloud software
  • Adobe Illustrator
  • Adobe InDesign
  • Adobe Photoshop
  • 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

Common 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.
  • Locate new materials and direct their acquisition and display.
  • Authenticate and appraise historical documents and archival materials.

Related careers

Occupations recorded as related in the dataset. A relationship does not imply a guaranteed transition.

Archivists salary in other locations

Other occupations in Washington, DC