District of Columbia Median
$93,040
per year
Hourly Rate
$44.73
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+44% vs US median
US median $64,550
State Rank
#1 of 38
200 employed here
How much does an Archivist make in District of Columbia?
Archivists in District of Columbia take home a median of $93,040 annually — roughly $44.73 an hour — which runs 44% above the national median of $64,550.
Within District of Columbia, entry-level pay starts around $62,400 while the top 10% make $128,610 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $76,320 and $108,160 a year.
Archivist salary range in District of Columbia
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $62,400 | $30.00 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $76,320 | $36.69 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $93,040 | $44.73 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $108,160 | $52.00 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $128,610 | $61.83 |
|
How District of Columbia compares
District of Columbia ranks 1st out of 38 states and territories for Archivist pay. The top 5 best-paying states:
Archivist salary in other states
Connecticut $79,790Massachusetts $78,180Rhode Island $76,990Washington $76,490Maryland $76,440New York $73,860California $70,530New 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 District of Columbia
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 District of Columbia pay ($93,040) 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 District of Columbia?
The median Archivist salary in District of Columbia is $93,040 per year, or about $44.73 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $62,400 at the entry level to $128,610 for the top 10% of earners.
How does District of Columbia pay compare to the national average?
District of Columbia pays Archivists about 44% more than the national median of $64,550. District of Columbia ranks 1st out of 38 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is District of Columbia a good state for Archivists?
Yes on pay — District of Columbia pays above the national median for this occupation, at $93,040 a year. About 200 Archivists are employed in District of Columbia. Weigh that against local housing and living costs before moving.
What are the highest-paying jobs in District of Columbia?
The highest-paying occupations in District of Columbia include Neurologist ($332,000), Emergency Medicine Physician ($318,200), Podiatrist ($265,740), 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.