Archivists in California
Thinking about a career as an Archivists in California? Here’s what the data says. Appraise, edit, and direct safekeeping of permanent records and historically valuable documents. Participate in research activities based on archival materials.
What do Archivists Make in California?
For archivists working in California, wages run about $62,160 per year (or about $29.88/hour).Annual wages span from $38,980 at the 10th percentile to $117,400 at the 90th percentile.
| Wage Statistic | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $38,980 | $18.74 |
| 25th percentile | $42,960 | $20.65 |
| Median (50th) | $62,160 | $29.88 |
| 75th percentile | $81,120 | $39.00 |
| 90th percentile | $117,400 | $56.44 |
Location quotient — how concentrated this career is in California compared to the national average — is 1.05.
National Wage Comparison
Nationally, archivists earn a median of $53,759 per year ($25.85/hour), higher than the California median.
Employment Outlook
Nationally, total employment in this occupation is 1,174,248 archivists in the U.S.. In California alone, approximately 860 people work in this role. That’s more than the typical state, which employs around 100 archivists.
Top California Metros for Archivists
The largest metro-area employers of archivists in California.
| Metro Area | Number Employed | Annual Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | 420 | $61,270 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | 150 | $74,250 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | 60 | $47,270 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | 50 | $61,690 |
| Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA | 40 | $71,310 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | 30 | $72,790 |
Top States for Archivists Employment
The table below shows the states where the most archivists work.
| State | Number Employed |
|---|---|
| New York | 900 |
| California | 860 |
| Washington | 630 |
| Maryland | 540 |
| Pennsylvania | 330 |
| Massachusetts | 320 |
| Texas | 280 |
| District of Columbia | 190 |
| Wisconsin | 180 |
| Michigan | 160 |
| Illinois | 150 |
| Ohio | 150 |
| Connecticut | 150 |
| Missouri | 150 |
| Tennessee | 140 |
| Florida | 130 |
| Georgia | 130 |
| North Carolina | 120 |
| Virginia | 120 |
| Utah | 100 |
Highest-Paying States for Archivists
The highest-paying states for archivists.
| State | Annual Median Salary |
|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $92,100 |
| New Mexico | $83,770 |
| Maryland | $75,330 |
| New York | $74,880 |
| Rhode Island | $74,140 |
| Virginia | $72,220 |
| Massachusetts | $71,790 |
| Washington | $70,400 |
| Illinois | $69,590 |
| New Jersey | $67,080 |
Skills
The most important archivists skills, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:
Knowledge Areas
Core knowledge areas for this occupation, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:
Abilities
Top abilities for archivists, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:
Daily Tasks
Common tasks include:
- 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.
- Coordinate educational and public outreach programs, such as tours, workshops, lectures, and classes.
- Specialize in an area of history or technology, researching topics or items relevant to collections to determine what should be retained or acquired.
Work Activities
- Documenting/Recording Information
- Working with Computers
- Getting Information
- Processing Information
- Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge
- Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events
- Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work
- Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates
- Communicating with People Outside the Organization
- Making Decisions and Solving Problems
- Judging the Qualities of Objects, Services, or People
- Interpreting the Meaning of Information for Others
Tools & Technology
Software and systems commonly involved: Hot technologies: Adobe Acrobat, Adobe Creative Cloud software In-demand technologies: Archivists' Toolkit
What Major Will Prepare You For This Career?
Programs that train for this career include:
- Fine & Studio Arts
- Museum Studies
- Historic Preservation
- Digital Humanities and Textual Studies
- History
- Library & Information Science
Featured schools near , edit
Related Careers
Related occupations to archivists include:
- Document Management Specialists
- Digital Forensics Analysts
- Anthropologists and Archeologists
- Historians
- Social Science Research Assistants
- Library Science Teachers, Postsecondary
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), Document Scanner, Film Archivist, Image Archivist, Museum Archivist, Processing Archivist, Project Archivist, Records Associate.
References
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics — https://www.bls.gov/oes/
- O*NET Online — https://www.onetonline.org/
- BLS Employment Projections — https://www.bls.gov/emp/
- O*NET-SOC code: 25-4011.00
GradDegree.com provides higher-education, college and university, degree, program, career, salary, and other helpful information to students, faculty, institutions, and other internet audiences. Presented information and data are subject to change. Inclusion on this website does not imply or represent a direct relationship with the company, school, or brand. Information, though believed correct at time of publication, may not be correct, and no warranty is provided. Contact the schools to verify any information before relying on it. Financial aid may be available for those who qualify. The displayed options may include sponsored or recommended results, not necessarily based on your preferences.
© GradDegree.com – All Rights Reserved.