Washington Median
$99,720
per year
Hourly Rate
$47.94
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+30% vs US median
US median $76,750
State Rank
#6 of 35
30 employed here
How much does a Historian make in Washington?
Historians in Washington take home a median of $99,720 annually — roughly $47.94 an hour — which runs 30% above the national median of $76,750.
Within Washington, entry-level pay starts around $65,480 while the top 10% make $116,840 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $81,330 and $116,210 a year.
Historian salary range in Washington
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $65,480 | $31.48 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $81,330 | $39.10 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $99,720 | $47.94 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $116,210 | $55.87 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $116,840 | $56.17 |
|
How Washington compares
Washington ranks 6th out of 35 states and territories for Historian pay. The top 5 best-paying states:
Historian salary in other states
Massachusetts $121,710Maryland $120,580District of Columbia $118,290Minnesota $103,040Virginia $101,920Oregon $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 Washington
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 Washington pay ($99,720) 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 Washington?
The median Historian salary in Washington is $99,720 per year, or about $47.94 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $65,480 at the entry level to $116,840 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Washington pay compare to the national average?
Washington pays Historians about 30% more than the national median of $76,750. Washington ranks 6th out of 35 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Washington a good state for Historians?
Yes on pay — Washington pays above the national median for this occupation, at $99,720 a year. About 30 Historians 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 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.