Archivist salary in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA
Archivists in the Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA metro area earn a median of $78,530 a year ($37.75 an hour), based on BLS data for 310 workers.
Pay ranges from $56,190 for the lowest-paid 10% to $104,790 for the top 10%. That is 22% higher than the national median of $64,550. Pay here is 3% higher than the Washington statewide median of $76,490. There are 0.15 archivists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 2.9× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $81,510, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for archivists in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $56,190 | $27.02 |
| 25th percentile | $64,070 | $30.80 |
| Median | $78,530 | $37.75 |
| 75th percentile | $95,120 | $45.73 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $104,790 | $50.38 |
| Average (mean) | $81,510 | $39.19 |
Half of archivists earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $6,544.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,272.08 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,020.38 |
| Weekly | $1,510.19 |
| Hourly | $37.75 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $78,530 salary, see how much house you can afford in Washington at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Archivist salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Olympia-Lacey-Tumwater, WA | $77,990 | 100 |
| Spokane-Spokane Valley, WA | $64,430 | 50 |
| Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA | $61,880 | 60 |
Highest-paying states for archivists
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $93,040 |
| Connecticut | $79,790 |
| Massachusetts | $78,180 |
| Rhode Island | $76,990 |
| Washington | $76,490 |
| Maryland | $76,440 |
| New York | $73,860 |
| California | $70,530 |
| New Jersey | $67,900 |
| Minnesota | $65,740 |
See Archivist pay in every state or the Washington statewide figures.
Related jobs in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Librarians and Media Collections Specialists | $101,780 | $48.93 |
| Library Technician | $65,690 | $31.58 |
| Museum Technicians and Conservators | $61,370 | $29.50 |
| Curator | $78,340 | $37.66 |
| Teaching Assistants, Except Postsecondary | $53,950 | — |
| Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education | $102,920 | — |
| Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education | $46,380 | $22.30 |
| Self-Enrichment Teacher | $48,530 | $23.33 |
| Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education | $102,670 | — |
| Substitute Teachers, Short-Term | $60,070 | $28.88 |
| Middle School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education | $102,560 | — |
| Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary | $164,860 | — |
| Instructional Coordinator | $97,130 | $46.70 |
| Kindergarten Teachers, Except Special Education | $101,580 | — |
More: Educational Instruction and Library Occupations · all salaries in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 25-4011. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a archivist make in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA?
The median salary for archivists in the Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA metro area is $78,530 a year, or $37.75 an hour. Pay ranges from $56,190 for the lowest-paid 10% to $104,790 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid archivists make in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA?
The top 10% of archivists in the Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA metro area earn at least $104,790 a year. The top 25% earn $95,120 or more.
What is the starting pay for archivists in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $56,190 a year, and a quarter of archivists earn $64,070 or less.
How many archivists work in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA?
About 310 archivists are employed in the Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA metro area, not counting the self-employed.