District of Columbia Median
$118,290
per year
Hourly Rate
$56.87
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+54% vs US median
US median $76,750
State Rank
#3 of 35
250 employed here
How much does a Historian make in District of Columbia?
Historians in District of Columbia take home a median of $118,290 annually — roughly $56.87 an hour — which runs 54% above the national median of $76,750.
Within District of Columbia, entry-level pay starts around $60,160 while the top 10% make $156,750 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $62,380 and $147,220 a year.
Historian salary range in District of Columbia
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $60,160 | $28.92 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $62,380 | $29.99 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $118,290 | $56.87 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $147,220 | $70.78 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $156,750 | $75.36 |
|
How District of Columbia compares
District of Columbia ranks 3rd out of 35 states and territories for Historian pay. The top 5 best-paying states:
Historian salary in other states
Massachusetts $121,710Maryland $120,580Minnesota $103,040Virginia $101,920Washington $99,720Oregon $99,560California $97,420Hawaii $92,520Illinois $89,670Louisiana $80,620Nevada $80,140Texas $78,240New Jersey $77,080Florida $74,740North Carolina $73,440Kansas $72,600Alabama $72,490Pennsylvania $71,970Tennessee $71,080Nebraska $70,050New Mexico $66,790Connecticut $66,770Missouri $64,230Georgia $63,840Indiana $63,770Kentucky $63,530New York $62,960Michigan $62,920Ohio $60,350South Carolina $52,120Oklahoma $50,980Mississippi $46,010Wisconsin $45,810Utah $33,840
Working as a Historian in District of Columbia
Nationally, about 3,000 people work as Historians in the United States. A master's degree (usually 5 to 6 years of college) is typically required.
Considering a move? Compare District of Columbia pay ($118,290) 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 a Historian make in District of Columbia?
The median Historian salary in District of Columbia is $118,290 per year, or about $56.87 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $60,160 at the entry level to $156,750 for the top 10% of earners.
How does District of Columbia pay compare to the national average?
District of Columbia pays Historians about 54% more than the national median of $76,750. District of Columbia ranks 3rd out of 35 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is District of Columbia a good state for Historians?
Yes on pay — District of Columbia pays above the national median for this occupation, at $118,290 a year. About 250 Historians 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 Historian 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.