Career Overview
Appraise, edit, and direct safekeeping of permanent records and historically valuable documents. Participate in research activities based on archival materials.
Also Known As
- Archivist
- Records Manager
- Registrar
- State Archivist
Alternate Job Titles
- Accessioning Archivist
- Archives Specialist
- Archives Technician (Archives Tech)
- Archivist
- Digital Archivist
- Digital Asset Archivist
- Digitization Assistant
- Document Management Technician (Document Management Tech)
- Document Scanner
- Film Archivist
- Image Archivist
- Museum Archivist
- Processing Archivist
- Project Archivist
- Records Associate
What You'll Do
In this role, your typical responsibilities include:
- 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, cataloguing, exhibiting, and maintaining collections of valuable materials.
- Preserve records, documents, and objects, copying records to film, videotape, audiotape, disk, or computer formats as necessary.
Emerging Responsibilities
As this field evolves, you may also:
- Write grants and apply for funding to support archival work.
Knowledge You'll Use
You'll need solid knowledge in these areas:
- History and Archeology
- English Language
- Customer and Personal Service
- Computers and Electronics
- Administration and Management
- Administrative
Essential Skills
Success in this career requires strong skills in:
- Reading Comprehension
- Active Listening
- Writing
Key Abilities
This career requires key abilities in:
- Written Comprehension
- Category Flexibility
- Oral Expression
- Written Expression
- Near Vision
- Information Ordering
- Oral Comprehension
- Deductive Reasoning
- Inductive Reasoning
- Speech Recognition
Work Style
People who excel in this career typically demonstrate:
- Attention to Detail
- Dependability
- Integrity
- Intellectual Curiosity
- Cautiousness
What Matters in This Career
This career tends to satisfy these work values:
- Independence
- Achievement
- Recognition
- Relationships
- Working Conditions
Education & Preparation
Typical Education: Master's Degree
Related Work Experience Needed: Over 6 months, up to and including 1 year
On-the-Job Training: Over 6 months, up to and including 1 year
Education Details: Most of these occupations require graduate school. For example, they may require a master's degree, and some require a Ph.D., M.D., or J.D. (law degree).
Experience Required: Extensive skill, knowledge, and experience are needed for these occupations. Many require more than five years of experience. For example, surgeons must complete four years of college and an additional five to seven years of specialized medical training to be able to do their job.
Technology You'll Use
Popular Technologies & Software
- Adobe Acrobat
- Adobe Creative Cloud software
- Adobe Illustrator
- Adobe InDesign
- Adobe Photoshop
- Extensible markup language XML
- Hypertext markup language HTML
- Microsoft Access
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Office software
Tools & Equipment
- Compact digital cameras
- Data input scanners
- Desktop computers
- Digitizers
- Inkjet printers
- Laptop computers
- Personal computers
Work Environment
- Indoors, Environmentally Controlled
- Face-to-Face Discussions with Individuals and Within Teams
- Deal With External Customers or the Public in General
- Telephone Conversations
Salary & Job Market
| Salary Percentile | Annual Wage |
|---|---|
| Entry-Level (10th percentile) | $39,330 |
| Median | $61,570 |
| Top Earners (90th percentile) | $104,780 |
Workers Employed Nationally: 7,050
Related Careers
If you're interested in this career, you might also consider:
Librarians and Media Collections Specialists
Education: Master's Degree
Median Salary: $64,320
Historians
Education: Master's Degree
Median Salary: $74,050
Curators
Education: Master's Degree
Median Salary: $61,770
Document Management Specialists
Education: Bachelor's Degree
Median Salary: $108,970
Library Science Teachers, Postsecondary
Education: Doctoral Degree
Median Salary: $78,630
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Occupational data sourced from the O*NET OnLine database, developed by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration. Wage data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), 2024.