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Archivists
Appraise, edit, and direct safekeeping of permanent records and historically valuable documents. Participate in research activities based on archival materials.
Other titles employers use
Accessioning Archivist · Archivist · Digital Archivist · Film Archivist · Museum Archivist · Records Manager · Reference Archivist · Registrar
Inside the work
What you would actually do.
6 responsibilities that define the role, before job titles and workplaces change the details.
- Organize archival records and develop classification systems to facilitate access to archival materials.
- Provide reference services and assistance for users needing archival materials.
- Prepare archival records, such as document descriptions, to allow easy access to information.
- Create and maintain accessible, retrievable computer archives and databases, incorporating current advances in electronic information storage technology.
- Establish and administer policy guidelines concerning public access and use of materials.
- Direct activities of workers who assist in arranging, cataloging, exhibiting, and maintaining collections of valuable materials.
Who it suits
Would this work hold your attention?
This career often appeals to people drawn to organizing and analytical work.
- Organizing
- Creating order, checking details, and keeping work accurate
- Analytical
- Investigating questions, testing ideas, and solving problems
Skills and strengths
What you would get good at.
Compare the skills the work relies on, the subjects behind it, and the abilities that make it easier to learn.
Core skills
- Reading Comprehension
- Active Listening
- Writing
- Speaking
- Critical Thinking
- Active Learning
Subjects to know
- History and Archeology
- English Language
- Customer and Personal Service
- Computers and Electronics
- Administration and Management
Useful strengths
- Written Comprehension
- Category Flexibility
- Oral Expression
- Written Expression
- Information Ordering
Working day
Picture yourself doing it.
These measures show how much of the day involves people, movement, conversation, and hands-on work.
| Measure | Out of 5 | What that means here |
|---|---|---|
| Close to other people | 2.9 | Largely your own space |
| On your feet | 2.4 | Mostly seated |
| Talking face to face | 4.7 | Continuous — the job is conversations |
| Working with your hands | 3.1 | Some of the day |
Preparation
How people prepare for this work.
Employers usually ask for a master's degree. Other routes may also lead into the field.
- A master's degree 87%
- A four-year degree 7%
- A doctorate or professional degree 6%
Tools of the work
Technology you may use.
- Graphics or photo imaging software
- Data base user interface and query software
- Document management software
- Web platform development software
- Desktop publishing software
- Enterprise application integration software
- Spreadsheet software
- Office suite software
Opportunity near you
See where this work is growing.
Choose a state to compare the size of the field, annual openings, and expected hiring change.
- People doing this work
- 1,100
- Job openings each year
- 140
- Expected hiring change, 2022–2032
- 10.0%
Compare every available state
| State | People doing it | Job openings each year | Expected change |
|---|---|---|---|
| California | 1,100 | 140 | 10.0% |
| New York | 1,020 | 10 | 13.3% |
| Maryland | 730 | 90 | 10.6% |
| Washington | 570 | 80 | 23.9% |
| Pennsylvania | 450 | 60 | 9.8% |
| South Carolina | 450 | 60 | 18.4% |
| Colorado | 400 | 50 | 11.1% |
| Texas | 380 | 50 | 18.8% |
| Utah | 280 | 40 | 21.7% |
| Oklahoma | 240 | 30 | 4.3% |
| District of Columbia | 220 | 30 | 10.0% |
| Wisconsin | 180 | 20 | 12.5% |
| Illinois | 170 | 20 | 6.3% |
| Louisiana | 160 | 20 | 14.3% |
| Tennessee | 160 | 20 | 23.1% |
| Indiana | 150 | 20 | 7.1% |
| Michigan | 150 | 20 | 7.1% |
| Florida | 130 | 20 | 18.2% |
| Missouri | 130 | 20 | 8.3% |
| New Jersey | 130 | 20 | 8.3% |
| Ohio | 130 | 20 | — |
| Virginia | 130 | 20 | 8.3% |
| Massachusetts | 120 | 10 | 9.1% |
| North Carolina | 120 | 10 | 9.1% |
| Alabama | 110 | 10 | 10.0% |
| Kentucky | 110 | 10 | 10.0% |
| Minnesota | 110 | 10 | 10.0% |
| Arizona | 90 | 10 | 28.6% |
| New Mexico | 80 | 10 | 14.3% |
| Kansas | 70 | 10 | — |
| Arkansas | 60 | 10 | — |
| Montana | 60 | 10 | 20.0% |
| Delaware | 50 | 10 | — |
| Maine | 50 | 10 | — |
| New Hampshire | 50 | 10 | 25.0% |
| Oregon | 50 | 10 | 25.0% |
| Rhode Island | 50 | 10 | — |
| Nevada | 40 | 0 | 33.3% |
| Puerto Rico | 40 | 10 | — |
| Alaska | 30 | 0 | — |
| Idaho | 20 | 0 | — |
| North Dakota | 20 | 0 | — |
| Nebraska | 10 | 0 | — |
Career to college
Build a path toward this work.
Start with a related major, then compare colleges where students complete that field.
Where to study
Colleges with strong activity in these fields.
Start with program size, admission, and likely cost. Open a college for the full picture.
California State University-Long Beach
- Degrees each year
- 587
- Admit rate
- 47%
- Annual cost after aid
- $10,000
School of the Art Institute of Chicago
- Degrees each year
- 581
- Admit rate
- 76%
- Annual cost after aid
- $47,000
California State University-Fullerton
- Degrees each year
- 549
- Admit rate
- 87%
- Annual cost after aid
- $6,000
California State University-Northridge
- Degrees each year
- 422
- Admit rate
- 93%
- Annual cost after aid
- $8,000
University of North Texas
- Degrees each year
- 398
- Admit rate
- 72%
- Annual cost after aid
- $14,000
University of California-Los Angeles
- Degrees each year
- 398
- Admit rate
- 9%
- Annual cost after aid
- $10,000
San Diego State University
- Degrees each year
- 335
- Admit rate
- 34%
- Annual cost after aid
- $13,000
Southern New Hampshire University
- Degrees each year
- 315
- Admit rate
- 96%
- Annual cost after aid
- $37,000
Compare every college offering historic preservation and conservation