California Median
$70,530
per year
Hourly Rate
$33.91
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+9% vs US median
US median $64,550
State Rank
#8 of 38
1,160 employed here
How much does an Archivist make in California?
Archivists in California take home a median of $70,530 annually — roughly $33.91 an hour — which runs 9% above the national median of $64,550.
Within California, entry-level pay starts around $43,540 while the top 10% make $122,190 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $53,200 and $91,170 a year.
Archivist salary range in California
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $43,540 | $20.93 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $53,200 | $25.58 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $70,530 | $33.91 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $91,170 | $43.83 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $122,190 | $58.75 |
|
How California compares
California ranks 8th out of 38 states and territories for Archivist pay. The top 5 best-paying states:
Archivist salary in other states
District of Columbia $93,040Connecticut $79,790Massachusetts $78,180Rhode Island $76,990Washington $76,490Maryland $76,440New York $73,860New Jersey $67,900Minnesota $65,740Michigan $63,890Oregon $61,880New Hampshire $61,410Pennsylvania $60,690Missouri $60,020Wisconsin $59,400Illinois $59,340Colorado $59,210Louisiana $59,070Georgia $59,010Iowa $59,010Ohio $58,790Arkansas $58,560Idaho $58,370Alabama $57,860Utah $56,660Maine $56,260North Carolina $55,370Indiana $54,220Delaware $53,890Tennessee $53,210South Carolina $52,810Florida $52,100Oklahoma $51,940Texas $50,160Kansas $49,200Kentucky $48,810Arizona $47,010
Working as an Archivist in California
Nationally, about 8,000 people work as Archivists in the United States. A bachelor's degree (about 4 years of college) is the standard entry requirement.
Considering a move? Compare California pay ($70,530) against the highest-paying state above, and weigh the difference against housing and everyday costs — a smaller paycheck in a cheaper state can stretch further.
Frequently asked questions
How much does an Archivist make in California?
The median Archivist salary in California is $70,530 per year, or about $33.91 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $43,540 at the entry level to $122,190 for the top 10% of earners.
How does California pay compare to the national average?
California pays Archivists about 9% more than the national median of $64,550. California ranks 8th out of 38 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is California a good state for Archivists?
Yes on pay — California pays above the national median for this occupation, at $70,530 a year. About 1,160 Archivists are employed in California. Weigh that against local housing and living costs before moving.
What are the highest-paying jobs in California?
The highest-paying occupations in California include Ophthalmologist, Except Pediatric ($400,150), Neurologist ($357,080), Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers ($353,900), based on median annual pay in official BLS state estimates.
← See the national Archivist salary report
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Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), Unknown vintage. Education requirements: O*NET (U.S. Department of Labor). State figures are official BLS state-level wage estimates. Where BLS suppresses a state percentile, it is scaled from the official national distribution. Individual pay varies by employer, metro area, and experience.