Archivists
Impact: Historical preservation
Appraise, edit, and direct safekeeping of permanent records and historically valuable documents. Participate in research activities based on archival materials.
What does an Archivist do?
What the work is really like
You spend most of your time evaluating documents, objects, and records to decide what stays and what goes. An archivist appraises materials for historical or legal value, then organises, catalogues, and stores what survives. The work is as much curatorial as administrative: you write finding aids so researchers can locate items years later, answer reference questions from historians or genealogists, and sometimes prepare materials for digitisation or exhibition. You also enforce preservation standards, which means monitoring temperature and humidity, rehousing fragile items in acid-free folders, and planning for disaster recovery. Much of the job is invisible to the public and happens in climate-controlled back rooms where you are alone with the collection for long stretches.
The problems you solve are mostly about access and longevity. A researcher needs to trace land ownership through nineteenth-century deeds; you locate the right box, assess the condition of the paper, and decide whether it can be handled or needs to be scanned first. A university wants to digitise its oral history recordings; you set priorities, prepare metadata, and coordinate with vendors or in-house technicians. You also deal with donors who want their personal papers preserved but resist restrictions on access, or institutional clients who expect you to process a century of records in a month. The work requires patience with physical materials that degrade and digital formats that become obsolete.
Skills and strengths that matter
You need a solid grounding in history and research methods to assess the value of what you receive. Archival collections are not passive storage; you have to understand the context in which documents were created, the communities they represent, and the ethical questions that arise when materials contain sensitive or contested information. Complex problem solving appears when you inherit a collection with no inventory, unclear provenance, or a mix of formats that require different preservation strategies. You will also use graphics and photo imaging software to create digital surrogates or prepare materials for online access.
Service orientation and active listening matter more than people expect. Researchers arrive with incomplete citations, vague memories, or assumptions about what the archive holds. You listen carefully, ask clarifying questions, and guide them toward what might actually answer their question. Judgment and decision making run through the entire workflow: you decide what gets accessioned, how to describe it, and when to restrict access for privacy or legal reasons. The work rewards people who can hold multiple variables in mind, weigh competing priorities, and act without needing every answer in advance.
Who tends to thrive here
People who thrive here tend to combine a love of research with a tolerance for repetitive tasks and long timelines. You need to care about preserving the past, but also accept that much of your effort goes toward making future research possible rather than conducting it yourself. The role suits those who are comfortable working alone for hours, who find satisfaction in order and completeness, and who can move between close detail work and big-picture planning. You will spend time with people when you conduct reference interviews, lead tours, or collaborate with curators and librarians, but the majority of your day is spent processing materials or managing metadata.
The work can feel draining if you need variety, quick wins, or high visibility. Progress is slow and much of what you do will never be credited to you by name. Physical discomfort is common: you lift boxes, work in storage areas with poor lighting, and handle dust or mould. The role also requires you to work within institutional politics when budgets are cut or when leadership does not understand why preservation takes so long. People who need fast-moving projects or regular public recognition often find the pace isolating.
How people get into the role and grow
Most employers require a master's degree in library science, history, or archival studies, and a growing number of programmes offer a concentration in archives or records management. Some archivists enter the field with a history degree and then complete a certificate programme. Licensing is not required in all settings, but certification through the Academy of Certified Archivists can strengthen your candidacy and signal professional standards. Early roles often start as museum technicians or archival assistants, where you process collections, rehouse materials, and assist with reference requests under supervision.
Reaching mid-career typically takes five to eight years. By that point you are managing projects independently, writing grant proposals, or overseeing digitisation initiatives. Some archivists move into leadership roles at larger institutions, while others specialise in areas like corporate records, government archives, or special collections at universities. Lateral moves into library science, museum conservation, or information governance are common. The field is expected to grow by about 3.8 per cent over the next decade, with moderate demand and salaries ranging from $37,000 at entry to $111,000 at senior levels. The work will continue to require both digital fluency and respect for the physical object.
From people working as an Archivist
Day-to-day as an archivist involves a mix of detective work, careful preservation, and making history accessible. You're constantly appraising new materials, carefully organizing them, and often digitizing fragile documents. It's worth doing to uncover stories and connect people with their past, but it requires great patience and attention to detail. There's a quiet satisfaction in knowing you're safeguarding irreplaceable heritage for future generations.
Drawn from r/Archivists discussions, Archivists Think Tank discussions, Society of American Archivists publications
Attribution: Composite
Composite · Synthesised from r/Archivists discussions, Archivists Think Tank discussions, Society of American Archivists publications
A day in the life of an Archivist
- People interaction
- Extensive
- Team vs solo
- 80% Team / 20% Solo
- Client facing
- Frequent
- Impact visibility
- Moderate
- Travel
- Minimal
- Schedule flexibility
- Flexible
- Remote work
- On-site Only
- Typical work hours
- 40-50
- Stress level
- Moderate
Archivists salary, education and outlook at a glance
- Median salary
- $141,889
- Entry-level
- $96,500
- Senior
- $191,500
- Growth by 2033
- +3.8%
- Demand
- Stable
- Freelance potential
- Moderate
- Salary growth potential
- 200%
- Typical student debt
- Very High
Skills you need as an Archivist
Hard skills
- History and Archeology
- Complex Problem Solving
- Graphics or photo imaging software
Soft skills
- Service Orientation
- Judgment and Decision Making
- Active Listening
Technical complexity: Low
Tools an Archivist uses
Core tools
- ArchivesSpace (Platform): Manages and provides access to archives, manuscripts, and digital objects.
- Axiell Collections (Software): Manages, digitizes, and shares archival collections.
- Digital Preservation Systems (Platform): Ensures the long-term accessibility and integrity of born-digital content.
Commonly used
- OpenRefine (Software): Cleans and transforms messy data, especially useful for metadata.
- Adobe Bridge (Software): Organizes and manages digital assets, including metadata for visual materials.
- Oxygen XML Editor (Software): Edits and validates XML documents, crucial for archival descriptive standards.
Specialist tools
- DARRT (Digital Access Reading Room Terminal) (Hardware): Provides a secure environment for accessing digital archival materials.
How to become an Archivist
- Minimum education
- Master's Degree
- Licensing
- Yes
- Years to mid-career
- 5-9
- Years to senior
- 15-25
- Career switching
- Moderate
Where an Archivist comes from
- Records Management Specialist: Archivists often transition to records management, focusing on the lifecycle of active records before they become archives.
- Librarian: The skills in organizing and preserving information are highly transferable to library science, especially in special collections.
- Curator: Archivists can move into curatorial roles, managing and interpreting collections in museums or galleries.
- Data Management Specialist: With expertise in information organization, archivists can pivot to managing and structuring data in various organizations.
- Museum Technician: Archivists possess skills in handling and preserving artifacts, making them suitable for museum technician roles.
Where an Archivist goes next
- Librarian: Librarians, especially those in academic or special libraries, may pursue archival studies to manage unique collections.
- Museum Technician: Museum technicians often gain experience with historical artifacts and may specialize in archival preservation.
- Historian: Historians frequently work with primary sources and may transition to archiving to directly manage historical records.
Typical Archivists progression
- Museum Technicians and Conservators
- Archivists
- or Librarians and Media Collections Specialists
Archivists job outlook and future demand
- Automation probability
- 0.2451
- AI disruption risk
- Low
- Demand trend
- Stable
Job satisfaction as an Archivist
- Overall satisfaction
- 7.2/10
- Meaning
- 8.5/10
- Work-life balance
- 7.5/10
- Prestige
- 7.5/10
- Social perception
- High
Where an Archivist finds community
Professional organisations
- Society of American Archivists (SAA): The largest and oldest professional association for archivists in North America, offering resources, education, and advocacy.
- International Council on Archives (ICA): A global non-governmental organization dedicated to the effective management of records and the preservation of the world's archival heritage.
- Academy of Certified Archivists (ACA): Certifies archivists who meet professional standards and promotes high quality archival practice.
Reddit communities
- r/Archivists: An online community for archivists to discuss their work, share resources, and ask questions.
Online communities
- Archivists Think Tank: A Facebook group for archivists to connect, share insights, and discuss challenges and best practices.
Questions people ask about an Archivist
How much does an Archivist earn?
Pay for an Archivist starts around $96,500 at entry level, reaches $141,889 at the median and climbs to $191,500 for the most experienced.
What qualifications does an Archivist need?
Most employers look for a Master's Degree, the role carries a licensing requirement and reaching mid-career takes about 5-9 years.
Can an Archivist work remotely?
The work happens on site.
What is the job outlook for Archivists?
Projections put employment growth at +3.8% through 2033, with demand rated Stable.
How exposed is an Archivist to automation and AI?
This work carries a low risk of disruption from AI.
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