Archivists in Massachusetts
Considering working as an Archivists in Massachusetts? Here’s what you need to know. 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 Massachusetts?
For a archivists working in Massachusetts, the median annual wage is $71,790 per year (or about $34.51/hour).Pay can range from $46,320 at the 10th percentile to $110,180 at the 90th percentile.
| Wage Statistic | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $46,320 | $22.27 |
| 25th percentile | $58,890 | $28.31 |
| Median (50th) | $71,790 | $34.51 |
| 75th percentile | $86,520 | $41.60 |
| 90th percentile | $110,180 | $52.97 |
The location quotient — a measure of how concentrated this occupation is in Massachusetts nationwide is 1.91, indicating that archivists are more concentrated here than the national average.
National Wage Comparison
Nationally, archivists earn a median of $53,759 per year ($25.85/hour), above the Massachusetts median.
Employment Outlook
Nationally, total employment in this occupation is 1,174,248 archivists across the United States. In Massachusetts alone, around 320 people work in this role. That’s higher than the typical state, which employs around 100 archivists.
Top Massachusetts Metros for Archivists
The metro areas below employ the most archivists in Massachusetts.
| Metro Area | Number Employed | Annual Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH | 250 | $74,380 |
Top States for Archivists Employment
View the states that employ 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
Important knowledge areas for this occupation, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:
Abilities
Key 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
Technologies frequently used: Hot technologies: Adobe Acrobat, Adobe Creative Cloud software In-demand technologies: Archivists' Toolkit
What Major Will Prepare You For This Career?
Related college programs include:
- Fine & Studio Arts
- Museum Studies
- Historic Preservation
- Digital Humanities and Textual Studies
- History
- Library & Information Science
Featured schools near , edit
Related Careers
Other careers like 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