Life As an Archivist
Occupation Description Appraise, edit, and direct safekeeping of permanent records and historically valuable documents. Participate in research activities based on archival materials.
What Do Archivists Do On a Daily Basis?
- 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.
- Locate new materials and direct their acquisition and display.
- Create and maintain accessible, retrievable computer archives and databases, incorporating current advances in electronic information storage technology.
- Select and edit documents for publication and display, applying knowledge of subject, literary expression, and presentation techniques.
- Authenticate and appraise historical documents and archival materials.
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Archivist Required Skills
Archivists state the following job skills are important in their day-to-day work.
Reading Comprehension: Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
Writing: Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.
Active Listening: Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
Critical Thinking: Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
Speaking: Talking to others to convey information effectively.
Active Learning: Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.
Related Job Titles
- Curator of Manuscripts
- Docent Coordinator
- Director of Archives
- Curatorial Specialist
- Outreach Coordinator
Is There Going to be Demand for Archivists?
In the United States, there were 6,800 jobs for Archivist in 2016. New jobs are being produced at a rate of 14.7% which is above the national average. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts 1,000 new jobs for Archivist by 2026. There will be an estimated 800 positions for Archivist per year.
The states with the most job growth for Archivist are Nebraska, Kentucky, and Georgia. Watch out if you plan on working in Wyoming, Vermont, or Oklahoma. These states have the worst job growth for this type of profession.
How Much Does an Archivist Make?
The average yearly salary of an Archivist ranges between $30,440 and $90,830.
Archivists who work in District of Columbia, California, or Georgia, make the highest salaries.
How much do Archivists make in different U.S. states?
| State | Annual Mean Salary |
|---|---|
| Alabama | $50,790 |
| Arizona | $43,890 |
| Arkansas | $59,480 |
| California | $72,240 |
| Colorado | $51,080 |
| Connecticut | $62,910 |
| Delaware | $46,080 |
| District of Columbia | $74,860 |
| Florida | $46,370 |
| Georgia | $64,160 |
| Illinois | $63,200 |
| Indiana | $40,920 |
| Kansas | $42,860 |
| Kentucky | $44,410 |
| Louisiana | $45,480 |
| Maine | $46,440 |
| Maryland | $67,360 |
| Massachusetts | $63,270 |
| Michigan | $52,380 |
| Minnesota | $46,700 |
| Missouri | $51,410 |
| Montana | $38,870 |
| New Jersey | $67,110 |
| New Mexico | $46,420 |
| New York | $56,270 |
| North Carolina | $51,960 |
| Ohio | $46,610 |
| Oklahoma | $41,790 |
| Oregon | $43,470 |
| Pennsylvania | $52,800 |
| Rhode Island | $59,520 |
| South Carolina | $42,530 |
| Tennessee | $38,430 |
| Texas | $66,120 |
| Utah | $34,400 |
| Vermont | $46,610 |
| Virginia | $55,400 |
| Washington | $56,690 |
| Wisconsin | $47,800 |
What Tools & Technology do Archivists Use?
Although they’re not necessarily needed for all jobs, the following technologies are used by many Archivists:
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Word
- Microsoft Office
- Hypertext markup language HTML
- Microsoft PowerPoint
- Microsoft Outlook
- Web browser software
- Microsoft Access
- Word processing software
- Adobe Systems Adobe Acrobat
- Adobe Systems Adobe Photoshop
- Database software
- FileMaker Pro
- Adobe Systems Adobe Illustrator
- Extensible markup language XML
- Adobe Systems Adobe InDesign
- Apple Final Cut Pro
- Presentation software
- Dynamic hypertext markup language DHTML
- Adobe Systems Adobe Creative Suite
How do I Become an Archivist?
Are there Archivists education requirements?
How many years of work experience do I need?
Archivists Sector
The table below shows some of the most common industries where those employed in this career field work.
Related Careers
Those thinking about becoming an Archivist might also be interested in the following careers:
References:
Image Credit: Jorge Royan via Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 Unported
More about our data sources and methodologies.
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