Archivist Salary in Washington (2026)

Official state-level BLS pay data for Archivists in Washington, plus how it compares with the rest of the country.

Official BLS state wage data · Unknown vintage
Washington Median
$76,490
per year
Hourly Rate
$36.77
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+18% vs US median
US median $64,550
State Rank
#5 of 38
640 employed here

How much does an Archivist make in Washington?

Archivists in Washington take home a median of $76,490 annually — roughly $36.77 an hour — which runs 18% above the national median of $64,550.

Within Washington, entry-level pay starts around $52,910 while the top 10% make $104,020 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $63,500 and $92,770 a year.

Archivist salary range in Washington

Pay levelAnnual salaryHourly rate
10th percentile (entry level)$52,910$25.44
25th percentile (early career)$63,500$30.53
50th percentile (median)$76,490$36.77
75th percentile (experienced)$92,770$44.60
90th percentile (top earners)$104,020$50.01

How Washington compares

Washington ranks 5th out of 38 states and territories for Archivist pay. The top 5 best-paying states:

RankStateMedian salary
1District of Columbia$93,040
2Connecticut$79,790
3Massachusetts$78,180
4Rhode Island$76,990
5Washington$76,490

Working as an Archivist in Washington

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 Washington pay ($76,490) 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 Washington?
The median Archivist salary in Washington is $76,490 per year, or about $36.77 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $52,910 at the entry level to $104,020 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Washington pay compare to the national average?
Washington pays Archivists about 18% more than the national median of $64,550. Washington ranks 5th out of 38 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Washington a good state for Archivists?
Yes on pay — Washington pays above the national median for this occupation, at $76,490 a year. About 640 Archivists are employed in Washington. Weigh that against local housing and living costs before moving.
What are the highest-paying jobs in Washington?
The highest-paying occupations in Washington include Cardiologist ($656,330), Orthopedic Surgeon, Except Pediatric ($553,310), Dermatologist ($526,170), 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.