What is a Historian?

Occupation Description Research, analyze, record, and interpret the past as recorded in sources, such as government and institutional records, newspapers and other periodicals, photographs, interviews, films, electronic media, and unpublished manuscripts, such as personal diaries and letters.

Life As a Historian

• Collect detailed information on individuals for use in biographies.
• Gather historical data from sources such as archives, court records, diaries, news files, and photographs, as well as collect data sources such as books, pamphlets, and periodicals.
• Conduct historical research as a basis for the identification, conservation, and reconstruction of historic places and materials.
• Recommend actions related to historical art, such as which items to add to a collection or which items to display in an exhibit.
• Teach and conduct research in colleges, universities, museums, and other research agencies and schools.
• Conduct historical research, and publish or present findings and theories.

What Skills Do You Need to Work as a Historian?

Historians state the following job skills are important in their day-to-day work.

Reading Comprehension: Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.

Critical Thinking: Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.

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.

Writing: Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.

Speaking: Talking to others to convey information effectively.

Related Job Titles

• Historic Sites Registrar
• Historic Preservationist
• Historian
• Genealogist Researcher
• Film Historian

Are There Job Opportunities for Historians?

In 2016, there was an estimated number of 3,300 jobs in the United States for Historians.

New jobs are being produced at a rate of 6% which is lower than average. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts 200 new jobs for Historians by 2026. The BLS estimates 300 yearly job openings in this field per year.

The states with the most job growth for Historians are New York, Utah, and Virginia.

Watch out if you plan on working in New Jersey, Wisconsin, or Washington. These states have the worst job growth for this type of profession.

What is the Average Salary of a Historian

Historians Make between $29,270 and $110,670 a year. The median salary is $61,140.

How much do Historians make in different U.S. states?

Annual Mean Salary by State

State	Annual Mean Salary
District of Columbia	$107,440
California	$88,770
Virginia	$80,480
Colorado	$79,100
New Jersey	$76,320
Maryland	$76,300
Washington	$74,530
Ohio	$74,090
New Mexico	$71,800
Utah	$70,310
Massachusetts	$69,300
North Carolina	$68,840
Alabama	$67,870
Georgia	$67,000
Texas	$66,170
Illinois	$64,050
Nebraska	$63,690
Pennsylvania	$63,590
Michigan	$63,170
Florida	$60,510
Oklahoma	$58,900
Kentucky	$50,270
Missouri	$49,740
Mississippi	$41,090
New York	$32,640

What Tools do Historians Use?

Below is a list of the types of tools and technologies that Historians may use on a daily basis:

• Microsoft Excel
• Adobe Systems Adobe Dreamweaver
• Extensible markup language XML
• Geographic information system GIS software
• Structured query language SQL
• Adobe Systems Adobe InDesign
• Microsoft Word
• Adobe Systems Adobe Photoshop
• Microsoft Office
• Adobe Systems Adobe Acrobat

How to Become a Historian

Individuals working as Historians have obtained the following education levels:

How Long Does it Take to Become Historian?

Who Employs Historians?

References

Bureau of Labor Statistics

College Factual

O*NET Online

Image Credit: Via Wikimedia Commons