Archivist salary in Tennessee
Archivists in Tennessee earn a median of $53,210 a year ($25.58 an hour), based on BLS data for 110 workers.
Pay ranges from $38,790 for the lowest-paid 10% to $78,740 for the top 10%. That is 18% lower than the national median of $64,550. Tennessee ranks 31st 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 0.67). The average (mean) salary is $56,700, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for archivists in Tennessee
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $38,790 | $18.65 |
| 25th percentile | $45,660 | $21.95 |
| Median | $53,210 | $25.58 |
| 75th percentile | $63,820 | $30.68 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $78,740 | $37.85 |
| Average (mean) | $56,700 | $27.26 |
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 | $4,434.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,217.08 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,046.54 |
| Weekly | $1,023.27 |
| Hourly | $25.58 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Archivist salary in cities in Tennessee
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN | $54,590 | 60 |
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 Tennessee
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Librarians and Media Collections Specialists | $62,090 | $29.85 |
| Library Technician | $36,400 | $17.50 |
| Museum Technicians and Conservators | $44,710 | $21.49 |
| Curator | $57,580 | $27.68 |
| Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education | $59,980 | — |
| Teaching Assistants, Except Postsecondary | $29,210 | — |
| Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education | $61,860 | — |
| Middle School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education | $60,690 | — |
| Substitute Teachers, Short-Term | $29,500 | $14.18 |
| Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education | $34,280 | $16.48 |
| Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary | $98,870 | — |
| Instructional Coordinator | $74,390 | $35.77 |
| Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten and Elementary School | $62,560 | — |
| Self-Enrichment Teacher | $38,730 | $18.62 |
More: Educational Instruction and Library Occupations · all salaries in Tennessee
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 Tennessee?
The median salary for archivists in Tennessee is $53,210 a year, or $25.58 an hour. Pay ranges from $38,790 for the lowest-paid 10% to $78,740 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid archivists make in Tennessee?
The top 10% of archivists in Tennessee earn at least $78,740 a year. The top 25% earn $63,820 or more.
What is the starting pay for archivists in Tennessee?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $38,790 a year, and a quarter of archivists earn $45,660 or less.
How many archivists work in Tennessee?
About 110 archivists are employed in Tennessee, not counting the self-employed.