Archivist salary in South Carolina
Archivists in South Carolina earn a median of $52,810 a year ($25.39 an hour), based on BLS data for 60 workers.
Pay ranges from $36,990 for the lowest-paid 10% to $79,420 for the top 10%. That is 18% lower than the national median of $64,550. South Carolina ranks 32nd of 38 states for archivists pay. There are 0.03 archivists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.49). The average (mean) salary is $55,220, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for archivists in South Carolina
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $36,990 | $17.79 |
| 25th percentile | $43,850 | $21.08 |
| Median | $52,810 | $25.39 |
| 75th percentile | $65,810 | $31.64 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $79,420 | $38.18 |
| Average (mean) | $55,220 | $26.55 |
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 | $4,400.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,200.42 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,031.15 |
| Weekly | $1,015.58 |
| Hourly | $25.39 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Archivist salary in cities in South Carolina
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | $58,000 | 30 |
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 South Carolina
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Librarians and Media Collections Specialists | $62,640 | $30.12 |
| Library Technician | $36,070 | $17.34 |
| Curator | $47,200 | $22.69 |
| Museum Technicians and Conservators | $38,290 | $18.41 |
| Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education | $60,820 | — |
| Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education | $62,580 | — |
| Teaching Assistants, Except Postsecondary | $27,860 | — |
| Middle School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education | $60,810 | — |
| Substitute Teachers, Short-Term | $30,400 | $14.62 |
| Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education | $34,500 | $16.59 |
| Instructional Coordinator | $65,460 | $31.47 |
| Self-Enrichment Teacher | $39,800 | $19.14 |
| Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten and Elementary School | $62,360 | — |
| Teaching Assistants, Postsecondary | $46,760 | — |
More: Educational Instruction and Library Occupations · all salaries in South Carolina
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 South Carolina?
The median salary for archivists in South Carolina is $52,810 a year, or $25.39 an hour. Pay ranges from $36,990 for the lowest-paid 10% to $79,420 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid archivists make in South Carolina?
The top 10% of archivists in South Carolina earn at least $79,420 a year. The top 25% earn $65,810 or more.
What is the starting pay for archivists in South Carolina?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $36,990 a year, and a quarter of archivists earn $43,850 or less.
How many archivists work in South Carolina?
About 60 archivists are employed in South Carolina, not counting the self-employed.