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Historian: pay, job outlook and how to become one

Updated October 26, 2026. Based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and O*NET data. Published by Humblebee.

$76,750median pay per year, or $36.90 an hour, May 2025[2]
  1. $42,730lowest 10% earn less
  2. $57,29025th percentile
  3. $76,750median
  4. $99,99075th percentile
  5. $131,810top 10% earn more
Middle half of workers in the inner band[3]Median for all US jobs, $50,980[4]

Historians typically need a master's degree to enter the job[1]. The median pay was $76,750 a year[2].

Job growth, 2025–35
+3%[5]
Openings per year
300[6]
Typical entry education
Master's degree[1]

How much do historians make?

The median wage for historians was $76,750 a year, or $36.90 an hour[2]. Half of workers earned more and half earned less[2]. The average was $81,240 a year, or $39.06 an hour[7].

Pay varies widely. The lowest-paid 10% earned less than $42,730 a year, and the highest-paid 10% earned more than $131,810[3]. The 25th percentile was $57,290 and the 75th was $99,990[3]. Hourly, the 10th and 90th percentiles were $20.55 and $63.37[8]. A percentile is a boundary, and BLS publishes percentile wages, not a starting salary[9].

The median annual wage for all occupations was $50,980[4]. The median for historians was higher than that figure[2][4].

These wages cover people paid a wage or salary. They leave out the self-employed and do not include benefits or nonproduction bonuses[10]. About 3,450 people worked as historians under that count[11].

Pay by state and city

Massachusetts had the highest median annual wage among the states with published data, at $121,710[12]. Maryland was next at $120,580, then the District of Columbia at $118,290, Minnesota at $103,040 and Virginia at $101,920[12]. Many states have only a few dozen historian jobs, so these medians rest on small counts[12].

New York had the most jobs, at 410[13]. The District of Columbia (250), California (210), Virginia (180) and New Jersey (130) followed[13].

Among metro areas with at least 100 jobs, Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV had the highest median at $115,690, followed by New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ at $80,400[14]. The Washington area also had the most jobs, at 410[15].

Show median pay in 34 states and DC
StateMedian per yearJobs
Massachusetts[12]$121,710n/a
Maryland$120,58050
District of Columbia$118,290250
Minnesota$103,04050
Virginia$101,920180
Washington$99,72030
Oregon$99,56040
California$97,420210
Hawaii$92,52070
Illinois$89,670n/a
Louisiana$80,62060
Nevada$80,140n/a
Texas$78,240130
New Jersey$77,080130
Florida$74,740110
North Carolina$73,440120
Kansas$72,60040
Alabama$72,49060
Pennsylvania$71,97070
Tennessee$71,08040
Nebraska$70,05030
New Mexico$66,79040
Connecticut$66,77040
Missouri$64,23050
Georgia$63,840110
Indiana$63,77030
Kentucky$63,53050
New York$62,960410
Michigan$62,92080
Ohio$60,350n/a
South Carolina$52,12060
Oklahoma$50,98050
Mississippi$46,01090
Wisconsin$45,81050
Utah$33,84080

How to become a historian

In an O*NET survey of 25 workers, 64% said a master's degree was required, 10% said a bachelor's degree and 7% said a doctoral degree[21].

The Handbook lists several useful skills. These include analysis, clear communication, attention to detail and problem solving[22][23][24][25]. Reading sources in other languages can also help[26].

What historians do

Historians research, analyze, record and interpret the past using sources such as records, newspapers, photographs, interviews and personal letters[27]. Tasks reported to O*NET include:

Workers report job titles such as county historian, historical interpreter and historic preservation coordinator[29].

Where historians work

Historians are employed by museums, archives, historical societies and research groups, and some work as consultants[30]. Professional, scientific, and technical services was the largest employer group, at 24%[31]. BLS put the self-employed share at 5.5% in 2025[32].

Some historians travel for research, interviews or visits to learn about an area's culture and environment[33]. Most work full time during regular business hours[34]. Some work independently and set their own schedules, and those in public institutions may work evenings or weekends[34].

Job outlook

BLS projects employment to grow 3% from 2025 to 2035, from about 3,800 to 3,900 jobs[5]. For all occupations, the projected growth is 3.5%[35]. So this job is projected to grow at about the average pace.

About 300 openings are projected each year[6]. Openings include jobs that come from workers leaving, not only new jobs[6]. Each year, 1.7% of workers leave the labor force and 4.9% move to a different occupation[36].

Is it a good fit?

The entry bar is high. A master's degree is typical[1], and some research jobs may need a Ph.D.[20]. In return, the median pay was above the all-occupations median[2][4], though the range is wide[3]. The field is small, with about 300 openings a year[6]. Growth is close to the average for all occupations[5][35]. The work centers on research, analysis and communication[28][22][23].

Related occupations from O*NET, with BLS median pay and projected growth[37].

Frequently asked questions

How much does a historian make an hour?
The median was $36.90 an hour, and the average was $39.06[2][7].
What degree do you need to be a historian?
The typical entry education is a master's degree[1]. A bachelor's degree in history may qualify for some entry-level positions[38].
Is historian a growing field?
Employment is projected to grow 3% from 2025 to 2035, compared with 3.5% for all occupations[5][35]. About 300 openings are projected each year[6].
What is the highest paying state for historians?
Massachusetts, with a median of $121,710 a year[12].

Facts and sources

  1. BLS Employment Projections, typical path into Historians: education needed for entry: Master's degree; work experience in a related occupation: None; typical on-the-job training: None. BLS Employment Projections
  2. BLS OEWS, May 2025: the median wage for Historians in the US was $76,750 per year and $36.90 per hour. Half of workers earned more and half earned less. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  3. BLS OEWS, May 2025, annual wage percentiles for Historians: 10th percentile $42,730, 25th percentile $57,290, 75th percentile $99,990, 90th percentile $131,810. The 10th percentile means 10% of workers earned less. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  4. BLS OEWS, May 2025: the median annual wage for all occupations in the US was $50,980. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  5. BLS Employment Projections: employment of Historians is projected to grow 3% from 2025 to 2035, from about 3,800 to 3,900 jobs (a change of +100). These counts include self-employed workers. BLS Employment Projections
  6. BLS Employment Projections: about 300 openings for Historians are projected each year, on average, from 2025 to 2035. Openings include jobs that open when workers retire or move to other occupations, not only new jobs. BLS Employment Projections
  7. BLS OEWS, May 2025: the mean (average) wage for Historians was $81,240 per year and $39.06 per hour. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  8. BLS OEWS, May 2025, hourly wage percentiles for Historians: 10th percentile $20.55, 25th percentile $27.54, 75th percentile $48.07, 90th percentile $63.37. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  9. BLS OEWS FAQ: a percentile wage is a boundary. The median (50th percentile) separates the highest-paid 50% from the lowest-paid 50% of workers in the occupation. OEWS publishes percentile wages, not a starting salary. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  10. BLS OEWS FAQ: OEWS covers part-time and full-time workers paid a wage or salary. It does not cover the self-employed, owners and partners in unincorporated firms, household workers or unpaid family workers. OEWS wages do not include nonproduction bonuses or employer costs of benefits such as health insurance or retirement contributions. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  11. BLS OEWS, May 2025: about 3,450 people were employed as Historians in the US (wage and salary jobs, not counting self-employed workers). BLS OEWS, May 2025
  12. Median annual wage for Historians in every state with published data, May 2025 (table on this page). BLS OEWS, May 2025
  13. BLS OEWS, May 2025, states with the most Historians jobs: New York 410; District of Columbia 250; California 210; Virginia 180; New Jersey 130. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  14. BLS OEWS, May 2025, metro areas with the highest median annual wage for Historians (areas with at least 100 jobs): Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV $115,690; New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ $80,400. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  15. BLS OEWS, May 2025, metro areas with the most Historians jobs: Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV 410 (median $115,690); New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ 180 (median $80,400); Salt Lake City-Murray, UT 80 (median $33,840); Urban Honolulu, HI 70 (median $95,470); Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY 60 (median $48,610); Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA 60 (median $61,640). BLS OEWS, May 2025
  16. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Education. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  17. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Education. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  18. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Other Experience. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  19. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Education. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  20. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Education. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  21. O*NET 19-3093.00 survey of workers (25 respondents), education level they say is required: Master's Degree 64%, Bachelor's Degree 10%, Less than a High School Diploma 9%, Some College Courses 8%, Doctoral Degree 7% (levels under 5% not listed). O*NET OnLine
  22. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Important Qualities. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  23. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Important Qualities. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  24. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Important Qualities. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  25. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Important Qualities. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  26. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Important Qualities. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  27. O*NET description of Historians. O*NET OnLine
  28. O*NET task list for Historians. O*NET OnLine
  29. O*NET 19-3093.00 sample job titles reported by workers: Collections Specialist, County Historian, Historian, Historic Architectural Resources Curator, Historic Interpreter, Historic Preservation Coordinator, Historic Sites Registrar, Historical Interpreter. O*NET OnLine
  30. Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  31. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, largest employers of historians in 2025: Professional, scientific, and technical services 24%. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  32. BLS Employment Projections: 5.5% of Historians were self-employed in 2025. BLS Employment Projections
  33. Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  34. Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment: Work Schedules. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  35. BLS Employment Projections: employment in all occupations is projected to grow 3.5% from 2025 to 2035. BLS Employment Projections
  36. BLS Employment Projections, 2025-35 annual average for Historians: 1.7% of workers leave the labor force each year and 4.9% move to a different occupation. BLS Employment Projections
  37. Related occupations (O*NET) with BLS pay, growth and entry education. O*NET OnLine
  38. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook

Notes are for reading the data only. They are not facts and cannot be cited: use the wage_scope and percentile_meaning facts instead. OEWS employment (jobs in May 2025) and Employment Projections employment (2025, includes self-employed) are different measures and can differ. O*NET education shares come from a small survey of workers in the occupation, not from all workers.

This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. CareerFacts has modified all or some of this information. USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.