Historian Salary in Virginia (2026)

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

Official BLS state wage data · Unknown vintage
Virginia Median
$101,920
per year
Hourly Rate
$49.00
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+33% vs US median
US median $76,750
State Rank
#5 of 35
180 employed here

How much does a Historian make in Virginia?

A Historian working in Virginia earns a median salary of $101,920 per year, or about $49.00 per hour. That is 33% above the national median of $76,750 for this occupation.

Within Virginia, entry-level pay starts around $65,680 while the top 10% make $161,470 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $78,700 and $139,420 a year.

Historian salary range in Virginia

Pay levelAnnual salaryHourly rate
10th percentile (entry level)$65,680$31.58
25th percentile (early career)$78,700$37.84
50th percentile (median)$101,920$49.00
75th percentile (experienced)$139,420$67.03
90th percentile (top earners)$161,470$77.63

How Virginia compares

Virginia ranks 5th out of 35 states and territories for Historian pay. The top 5 best-paying states:

RankStateMedian salary
1Massachusetts$121,710
2Maryland$120,580
3District of Columbia$118,290
4Minnesota$103,040
5Virginia$101,920

Working as a Historian in Virginia

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 Virginia pay ($101,920) 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 Virginia?
The median Historian salary in Virginia is $101,920 per year, or about $49.00 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $65,680 at the entry level to $161,470 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Virginia pay compare to the national average?
Virginia pays Historians about 33% more than the national median of $76,750. Virginia ranks 5th out of 35 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Virginia a good state for Historians?
Yes on pay — Virginia pays above the national median for this occupation, at $101,920 a year. About 180 Historians are employed in Virginia. Weigh that against local housing and living costs before moving.
What are the highest-paying jobs in Virginia?
The highest-paying occupations in Virginia include Anesthesiologist ($488,310), Orthopedic Surgeon, Except Pediatric ($478,710), Cardiologist ($461,450), 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.