Average Salary for Historians
SOC 19-3093 · Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · 2024 data
The median annual wage for Historians in the United States is $74,050 ($35.60/hr), based on 2024 BLS OEWS data. Wages range from $38,630 at the 10th percentile to $128,500 at the 90th percentile nationally. An estimated 3,140 people work in this occupation across the country. The national median wage has grown 32.5% since 2014.
Median Annual
$74,050
Mean Annual
$78,470
10th Pct
$38,630
75th Pct
$96,330
Employment
3,140
Salary Distribution
$39k
10th
$55k
25th
$74k
Median
$96k
75th
$129k
90th
Highest Paying Metro Areas
| Metro Area | Median Annual |
|---|---|
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $115,710 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $100,610 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $94,590 |
| Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA | $87,920 |
| Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD | $85,160 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $83,360 |
| Urban Honolulu, HI | $82,550 |
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | $78,550 |
| Boulder, CO | $76,760 |
| Montgomery, AL | $72,550 |
| Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA | $59,400 |
| Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY | $54,080 |
| Oklahoma City, OK | $48,730 |
| Rochester, NY | $48,620 |
| Salt Lake City-Murray, UT | $32,000 |
Salary by State
| State | Median Annual |
|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $117,960 |
| North Carolina | $101,440 |
| Maryland | $99,300 |
| Washington | $94,760 |
| Virginia | $94,060 |
| Illinois | $92,020 |
| Connecticut | $88,890 |
| Florida | $84,590 |
| Texas | $84,160 |
| Minnesota | $84,160 |
| California | $83,360 |
| Hawaii | $82,550 |
| Oregon | $76,830 |
| Nevada | $75,640 |
| New Jersey | $74,690 |
| Pennsylvania | $72,720 |
| Louisiana | $72,250 |
| Alabama | $71,070 |
| Missouri | $69,580 |
| Kansas | $68,310 |
| Indiana | $60,800 |
| Michigan | $59,520 |
| Georgia | $59,410 |
| Oklahoma | $53,440 |
| South Carolina | $51,980 |
| New York | $51,620 |
| Kentucky | $49,940 |
| Mississippi | $44,800 |
| Utah | $32,000 |
Salary by Industry
National median wage for Historians broken down by industry sector, 2024 data.
| Industry | Median Annual |
|---|---|
| Federal Executive Branch (OEWS Designation) | $114,650 |
| Federal Government, including the U.S. Postal Service (OEWS Designation) | $114,640 |
| Federal, State, and Local Government, excluding State and Local Government Schools and Hospitals and the U.S. Postal Service (OEWS Designation) | $76,150 |
| Federal, State, and Local Government, excluding State and Local Government Schools and Hospitals and the U.S. Postal Service (OEWS Designation) | $76,150 |
| Architectural, Engineering, and Related Services | $75,790 |
| Management, Scientific, and Technical Consulting Services | $75,640 |
| Federal, State, and Local Government, including State and Local Government Schools and Hospitals and the U.S. Postal Service (OEWS Designation) | $75,380 |
| Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services | $75,070 |
| Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services | $75,070 |
| Cross-industry, Private Ownership only | $73,040 |
| Other Services (except Public Administration) | $69,060 |
| Research and Development in the Social Sciences and Humanities | $66,150 |
| Scientific Research and Development Services | $65,300 |
| Arts, Entertainment, and Recreation | $60,280 |
| Museums, Historical Sites, and Similar Institutions | $59,830 |
| Museums, Historical Sites, and Similar Institutions | $59,830 |
| State Government, excluding Schools and Hospitals (OEWS Designation) | $59,710 |
| State Government, including Schools and Hospitals (OEWS Designation) | $59,680 |
| Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools | $59,520 |
| Educational Services | $59,520 |
| Educational Services | $59,520 |
| Civic and Social Organizations | $58,870 |
| Religious, Grantmaking, Civic, Professional, and Similar Organizations | $58,870 |
| Local Government, excluding Schools and Hospitals (OEWS Designation) | $52,480 |
| Local Government, including Schools and Hospitals (OEWS Designation) | $51,820 |
National Wage Trend
View data table
| Year | Median Annual |
|---|---|
| 2024 | $74,050 |
| 2023 | $72,890 |
| 2022 | $64,540 |
| 2021 | $63,940 |
| 2020 | $63,100 |
| 2019 | $63,680 |
| 2018 | $61,140 |
| 2017 | $59,120 |
| 2016 | $55,110 |
| 2015 | $55,800 |
| 2014 | $55,870 |