Archivist salary in Massachusetts
Archivists in Massachusetts earn a median of $78,180 a year ($37.59 an hour), based on BLS data for 270 workers.
Pay ranges from $52,240 for the lowest-paid 10% to $117,080 for the top 10%. That is 21% higher than the national median of $64,550. Massachusetts ranks 3rd of 38 states for archivists pay, one of the best-paying states for this job. There are 0.07 archivists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.4× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $81,700, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for archivists in Massachusetts
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $52,240 | $25.12 |
| 25th percentile | $64,290 | $30.91 |
| Median | $78,180 | $37.59 |
| 75th percentile | $100,360 | $48.25 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $117,080 | $56.29 |
| Average (mean) | $81,700 | $39.28 |
Half of archivists earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $6,515 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,257.50 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,006.92 |
| Weekly | $1,503.46 |
| Hourly | $37.59 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Archivist salary in cities in Massachusetts
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH | $78,220 | 230 |
| Providence-Warwick, RI-MA | $76,990 | 40 |
Highest-paying states for archivists
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $93,040 |
| Connecticut | $79,790 |
| Massachusetts | $78,180 |
| Rhode Island | $76,990 |
| Washington | $76,490 |
| Maryland | $76,440 |
| New York | $73,860 |
| California | $70,530 |
| New Jersey | $67,900 |
| Minnesota | $65,740 |
Related jobs in Massachusetts
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Librarians and Media Collections Specialists | $78,540 | $37.76 |
| Library Technician | $50,430 | $24.24 |
| Museum Technicians and Conservators | $58,530 | $28.14 |
| Curator | $77,790 | $37.40 |
| Teaching Assistants, Except Postsecondary | $39,380 | — |
| Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education | $94,000 | — |
| Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education | $95,260 | — |
| Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education | $45,890 | $22.06 |
| Middle School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education | $89,450 | — |
| Self-Enrichment Teacher | $49,430 | $23.77 |
| Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary | $134,520 | — |
| Substitute Teachers, Short-Term | $41,350 | $19.88 |
| Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten and Elementary School | $91,350 | — |
| Instructional Coordinator | $95,320 | $45.83 |
More: Educational Instruction and Library Occupations · all salaries in Massachusetts
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 25-4011. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a archivist make in Massachusetts?
The median salary for archivists in Massachusetts is $78,180 a year, or $37.59 an hour. Pay ranges from $52,240 for the lowest-paid 10% to $117,080 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid archivists make in Massachusetts?
The top 10% of archivists in Massachusetts earn at least $117,080 a year. The top 25% earn $100,360 or more.
What is the starting pay for archivists in Massachusetts?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $52,240 a year, and a quarter of archivists earn $64,290 or less.
How many archivists work in Massachusetts?
About 270 archivists are employed in Massachusetts, not counting the self-employed.