Historian salary in Rochester, NY
Historians in the Rochester, NY metro area earn a median of $46,630 a year ($22.42 an hour), based on BLS data for 40 workers.
Pay ranges from $33,230 for the lowest-paid 10% to $144,610 for the top 10%. That is 39% lower than the national median of $76,750. Pay here is 26% lower than the New York statewide median of $62,960. There are 0.08 historians per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 3.8× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $64,740, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for historians in Rochester, NY
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $33,230 | $15.98 |
| 25th percentile | $35,310 | $16.98 |
| Median | $46,630 | $22.42 |
| 75th percentile | $75,430 | $36.26 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $144,610 | $69.53 |
| Average (mean) | $64,740 | $31.12 |
Half of historians 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 | $3,885.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,942.92 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,793.46 |
| Weekly | $896.73 |
| Hourly | $22.42 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Historian salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | $80,400 | 180 |
| Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY | $68,010 | 40 |
| Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY | $48,610 | 60 |
Highest-paying states for historians
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Massachusetts | $121,710 |
| Maryland | $120,580 |
| District of Columbia | $118,290 |
| Minnesota | $103,040 |
| Virginia | $101,920 |
| Washington | $99,720 |
| Oregon | $99,560 |
| California | $97,420 |
| Hawaii | $92,520 |
| Illinois | $89,670 |
See Historian pay in every state or the New York statewide figures.
Related jobs in Rochester, NY
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| School Psychologist | $73,050 | $35.12 |
| Clinical and Counseling Psychologists | $95,780 | $46.05 |
| Social Scientists and Related Workers, All Other | $89,230 | $42.90 |
| Urban and Regional Planners | $92,550 | $44.50 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $84,570 | $40.66 |
| Chemist | $84,030 | $40.40 |
| Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health | $75,160 | $36.13 |
| Life, Physical, and Social Science Technicians, All Other | $51,370 | $24.70 |
| Chemical Technician | $57,020 | $27.41 |
| Biological Scientists, All Other | $107,010 | $51.45 |
| Biological Technician | $47,670 | $22.92 |
| Environmental Science and Protection Technicians, Including Health | $55,320 | $26.60 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Technicians | $58,850 | $28.29 |
| Food Scientists and Technologists | $90,040 | $43.29 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in Rochester, NY
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 19-3093. 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 historian make in Rochester, NY?
The median salary for historians in the Rochester, NY metro area is $46,630 a year, or $22.42 an hour. Pay ranges from $33,230 for the lowest-paid 10% to $144,610 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid historians make in Rochester, NY?
The top 10% of historians in the Rochester, NY metro area earn at least $144,610 a year. The top 25% earn $75,430 or more.
What is the starting pay for historians in Rochester, NY?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $33,230 a year, and a quarter of historians earn $35,310 or less.
How many historians work in Rochester, NY?
About 40 historians are employed in the Rochester, NY metro area, not counting the self-employed.