Archivist salary in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV
Archivists in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro area earn a median of $84,590 a year ($40.67 an hour), based on BLS data for 670 workers.
Pay ranges from $52,110 for the lowest-paid 10% to $132,620 for the top 10%. That is 31% higher than the national median of $64,550. Pay here is 9% lower than the District of Columbia statewide median of $93,040. There are 0.21 archivists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 4.2× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $88,250, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for archivists in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $52,110 | $25.05 |
| 25th percentile | $60,320 | $29.00 |
| Median | $84,590 | $40.67 |
| 75th percentile | $112,290 | $53.99 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $132,620 | $63.76 |
| Average (mean) | $88,250 | $42.43 |
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 | $7,049.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,524.58 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,253.46 |
| Weekly | $1,626.73 |
| Hourly | $40.67 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $84,590 salary, see how much house you can afford in District of Columbia 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD | $76,440 | 230 |
| Richmond, VA | $65,240 | 60 |
| Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD | $60,690 | 160 |
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 District of Columbia statewide figures.
Related jobs in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Librarians and Media Collections Specialists | $95,480 | $45.90 |
| Library Technician | $57,290 | $27.54 |
| Museum Technicians and Conservators | $79,230 | $38.09 |
| Curator | $87,400 | $42.02 |
| Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education | $79,470 | — |
| Teaching Assistants, Except Postsecondary | $46,200 | — |
| Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education | $80,300 | — |
| Substitute Teachers, Short-Term | $46,470 | $22.34 |
| Middle School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education | $77,350 | — |
| Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education | $44,660 | $21.47 |
| Self-Enrichment Teacher | $59,760 | $28.73 |
| Instructional Coordinator | $105,220 | $50.59 |
| Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten and Elementary School | $79,880 | — |
| Teaching Assistants, Postsecondary | $58,330 | — |
More: Educational Instruction and Library Occupations · all salaries in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV
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 Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV?
The median salary for archivists in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro area is $84,590 a year, or $40.67 an hour. Pay ranges from $52,110 for the lowest-paid 10% to $132,620 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid archivists make in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV?
The top 10% of archivists in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro area earn at least $132,620 a year. The top 25% earn $112,290 or more.
What is the starting pay for archivists in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $52,110 a year, and a quarter of archivists earn $60,320 or less.
How many archivists work in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV?
About 670 archivists are employed in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro area, not counting the self-employed.