Historians
Historians (SOC 19-3093) earn a median $76,750 a year ($36.90 an hour) in the United States, with 3,450 employed as of May 2025; the highest-paying state is Massachusetts.
What historians do
Historians research, analyze, record, and interpret the past using sources such as government and institutional records, newspapers and periodicals, photographs, films, interviews, and unpublished materials like diaries and letters. Typical tasks include gathering historical data from archives, court records, diaries, and news files, organizing data and judging its authenticity and significance, and preparing publications, exhibits, and presentations, or reviewing those prepared by others for historical accuracy. They also organize information for publication and other ways of sharing it, protect manuscripts, records, and other artifacts from deterioration, and research the history of a particular country, region, or time period. Historians differ from archivists, curators, and museum workers, who preserve and display collections, from anthropologists and archeologists, who study material remains and living cultures, and from postsecondary teachers who teach history without a research program.
Typical entry: According to O*NET, the most commonly reported education level is a master's degree.
Also called: Architectural Historian, County Historian, Collections Specialist, Dance Historian, Dramatic Arts Historian.
National wage percentiles, May 2025
| Area | Basis | Percentile wage | Mean | Employment | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | 25th | Median | 75th | 90th | ||||
| United States | Hourly | $20.55 | $27.54 | $36.90 | $48.07 | $63.37 | $39.06 | 3,450 |
| Annual | $42,730 | $57,290 | $76,750 | $99,990 | $131,810 | $81,240 | ||
Employment per 1,000 jobs and the location quotient are area measures; they appear in the state and metro tables below. To see what a wage in this range leaves after tax, use FastCalc's take-home pay calculator.
Where historians earn and work most
Five highest-paying states
| Area | Basis | Percentile wage | Mean | Employment | Jobs per 1,000 | Location quotient | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | 25th | Median | 75th | 90th | ||||||
| Massachusetts | Hourly | $28.53 | $50.10 | $58.51 | $58.51 | $61.14 | $53.99 | ** | ** | ** |
| Annual | $59,330 | $104,210 | $121,710 | $121,710 | $127,160 | $112,310 | ||||
| Maryland | Hourly | $32.82 | $40.13 | $57.97 | $73.43 | $82.20 | $55.69 | 50 | 0.02 | 0.74 |
| Annual | $68,260 | $83,470 | $120,580 | $152,730 | $170,980 | $115,840 | ||||
| District of Columbia | Hourly | $28.92 | $29.99 | $56.87 | $70.78 | $75.36 | $54.39 | 250 | 0.36 | 16.30 |
| Annual | $60,160 | $62,380 | $118,290 | $147,220 | $156,750 | $113,140 | ||||
| Minnesota | Hourly | $34.63 | $42.87 | $49.54 | $66.67 | $71.13 | $53.50 | 50 | 0.02 | 0.73 |
| Annual | $72,040 | $89,160 | $103,040 | $138,670 | $147,950 | $111,290 | ||||
| Virginia | Hourly | $31.58 | $37.84 | $49.00 | $67.03 | $77.63 | $51.91 | 180 | 0.04 | 1.99 |
| Annual | $65,680 | $78,700 | $101,920 | $139,420 | $161,470 | $107,970 | ||||
Five states with the most jobs
| Area | Basis | Percentile wage | Mean | Employment | Jobs per 1,000 | Location quotient | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | 25th | Median | 75th | 90th | ||||||
| New York | Hourly | $16.49 | $21.12 | $30.27 | $39.43 | $51.91 | $32.79 | 410 | 0.04 | 1.90 |
| Annual | $34,300 | $43,920 | $62,960 | $82,010 | $107,970 | $68,200 | ||||
| District of Columbia | Hourly | $28.92 | $29.99 | $56.87 | $70.78 | $75.36 | $54.39 | 250 | 0.36 | 16.30 |
| Annual | $60,160 | $62,380 | $118,290 | $147,220 | $156,750 | $113,140 | ||||
| California | Hourly | $29.15 | $35.32 | $46.84 | $62.14 | $70.30 | $48.44 | 210 | 0.01 | 0.52 |
| Annual | $60,620 | $73,460 | $97,420 | $129,250 | $146,220 | $100,750 | ||||
| Virginia | Hourly | $31.58 | $37.84 | $49.00 | $67.03 | $77.63 | $51.91 | 180 | 0.04 | 1.99 |
| Annual | $65,680 | $78,700 | $101,920 | $139,420 | $161,470 | $107,970 | ||||
| New Jersey | Hourly | $24.71 | $27.20 | $37.06 | $47.57 | $50.93 | $37.61 | 130 | 0.03 | 1.39 |
| Annual | $51,390 | $56,570 | $77,080 | $98,950 | $105,930 | $78,220 | ||||
Five highest-paying metropolitan areas
| Area | Basis | Percentile wage | Mean | Employment | Jobs per 1,000 | Location quotient | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | 25th | Median | 75th | 90th | ||||||
| Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH | Hourly | $28.54 | $48.31 | $58.51 | $58.51 | $58.51 | $54.46 | ** | ** | ** |
| Annual | $59,370 | $100,480 | $121,710 | $121,710 | $121,710 | $113,270 | ||||
| Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI | Hourly | $38.75 | $42.87 | $56.02 | $66.67 | $71.13 | $54.69 | 40 | 0.02 | 1.04 |
| Annual | $80,600 | $89,170 | $116,520 | $138,670 | $147,950 | $113,760 | ||||
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | Hourly | $28.92 | $37.85 | $55.62 | $71.49 | $77.63 | $55.48 | 410 | 0.13 | 5.95 |
| Annual | $60,160 | $78,720 | $115,690 | $148,700 | $161,470 | $115,390 | ||||
| San Antonio-New Braunfels, TX | Hourly | $23.12 | $31.32 | $48.99 | $56.55 | $65.11 | $46.19 | 40 | 0.03 | 1.51 |
| Annual | $48,080 | $65,150 | $101,900 | $117,620 | $135,430 | $96,070 | ||||
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | Hourly | $25.63 | $33.42 | $47.22 | $61.71 | $65.76 | $47.65 | 50 | 0.01 | 0.35 |
| Annual | $53,320 | $69,500 | $98,210 | $128,350 | $136,770 | $99,120 | ||||
Five metropolitan areas with the most jobs
| Area | Basis | Percentile wage | Mean | Employment | Jobs per 1,000 | Location quotient | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | 25th | Median | 75th | 90th | ||||||
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | Hourly | $28.92 | $37.85 | $55.62 | $71.49 | $77.63 | $55.48 | 410 | 0.13 | 5.95 |
| Annual | $60,160 | $78,720 | $115,690 | $148,700 | $161,470 | $115,390 | ||||
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | Hourly | $23.92 | $27.20 | $38.65 | $49.25 | $53.83 | $39.42 | 180 | 0.02 | 0.88 |
| Annual | $49,750 | $56,580 | $80,400 | $102,440 | $111,970 | $81,980 | ||||
| Salt Lake City-Murray, UT | Hourly | $16.27 | $16.27 | $16.27 | $16.27 | $17.80 | $18.80 | 80 | 0.09 | 4.12 |
| Annual | $33,840 | $33,840 | $33,840 | $33,840 | $37,020 | $39,100 | ||||
| Urban Honolulu, HI | Hourly | $38.60 | $38.61 | $45.90 | $56.42 | $68.76 | $49.01 | 70 | 0.15 | 6.63 |
| Annual | $80,290 | $80,300 | $95,470 | $117,350 | $143,020 | $101,930 | ||||
| Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY | Hourly | $16.49 | $17.91 | $23.37 | $37.02 | $48.65 | $28.92 | 60 | 0.13 | 5.73 |
| Annual | $34,300 | $37,240 | $48,610 | $77,000 | $101,190 | $60,150 | ||||
Top industries employing historians
Federal Executive Branch (OEWS Designation) employ 20.9% of historians nationally (720 jobs) at a median $116,900 a year ($56.20 an hour), followed by Local Government, excluding Schools and Hospitals (OEWS Designation) (20.0%) and State Government, excluding Schools and Hospitals (OEWS Designation) (14.5%).
| Industry | Employment | Share of occupation | Median annual | Median hourly |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Federal Executive Branch (OEWS Designation) NAICS 999100 | 720 | 20.9% | $116,900 | $56.20 |
| Local Government, excluding Schools and Hospitals (OEWS Designation) NAICS 999300 | 690 | 20.0% | $59,780 | $28.74 |
| State Government, excluding Schools and Hospitals (OEWS Designation) NAICS 999200 | 500 | 14.5% | $62,620 | $30.11 |
| Scientific Research and Development Services NAICS 541700 | 480 | 13.9% | $69,190 | $33.26 |
| Architectural, Engineering, and Related Services NAICS 541300 | 180 | 5.2% | $83,490 | $40.14 |
Share is the industry's employment over the occupation's national employment (3,450). Industries whose employment BLS withheld are not ranked.
Published medians, May 2021 to May 2025
BLS published a median annual wage of $63,940 for historians in May 2021 and $76,750 in May 2025, with employment of 2,910 and 3,450.
| Release | Median annual | Median hourly | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| May 2021 | $63,940 | $30.74 | 2,910 |
| May 2022 | $64,540 | $31.03 | 3,120 |
| May 2023 | $72,890 | $35.04 | 3,040 |
| May 2024 | $74,050 | $35.60 | 3,140 |
| May 2025 | $76,750 | $36.90 | 3,450 |
BLS does not design OEWS as a time series: each release pools three years of samples, and occupational classifications, area definitions and estimation methods change between releases, so a difference between two releases is not a measure of change over time. The figures are shown as published, side by side, and nothing is computed from them. See how often OEWS is updated.
Every state, by median wage
35 states and DC publish a row for this occupation. A linked state has its own page with the within-state metro table and comparison; the others appear here only.
| Rank | State | Median hourly | Median annual | 10th pct (annual) | 90th pct (annual) | Employment | Jobs per 1,000 | Location quotient |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Massachusetts profile | $58.51 | $121,710 | $59,330 | $127,160 | ** | ** | ** |
| 2 | Maryland profile | $57.97 | $120,580 | $68,260 | $170,980 | 50 | 0.02 | 0.74 |
| 3 | District of Columbia profile | $56.87 | $118,290 | $60,160 | $156,750 | 250 | 0.36 | 16.30 |
| 4 | Minnesota profile | $49.54 | $103,040 | $72,040 | $147,950 | 50 | 0.02 | 0.73 |
| 5 | Virginia profile | $49.00 | $101,920 | $65,680 | $161,470 | 180 | 0.04 | 1.99 |
| 6 | Washington profile | $47.94 | $99,720 | $65,480 | $116,840 | 30 | 0.01 | 0.41 |
| 7 | Oregon profile | $47.87 | $99,560 | $66,420 | $121,280 | 40 | 0.02 | 0.88 |
| 8 | California profile | $46.84 | $97,420 | $60,620 | $146,220 | 210 | 0.01 | 0.52 |
| 9 | Hawaii profile | $44.48 | $92,520 | $80,290 | $143,020 | 70 | 0.11 | 4.86 |
| 10 | Illinois profile | $43.11 | $89,670 | $71,190 | $111,650 | ** | ** | ** |
| 11 | Louisiana profile | $38.76 | $80,620 | $52,960 | $115,210 | 60 | 0.03 | 1.37 |
| 12 | Nevada profile | $38.53 | $80,140 | $78,030 | $108,620 | ** | ** | ** |
| 13 | Texas profile | $37.62 | $78,240 | $37,600 | $116,900 | 130 | 0.01 | 0.41 |
| 14 | New Jersey profile | $37.06 | $77,080 | $51,390 | $105,930 | 130 | 0.03 | 1.39 |
| 15 | Florida profile | $35.93 | $74,740 | $44,280 | $112,260 | 110 | 0.01 | 0.52 |
| 16 | North Carolina profile | $35.31 | $73,440 | $42,980 | $116,620 | 120 | 0.02 | 1.05 |
| 17 | Kansas profile | $34.90 | $72,600 | $49,610 | $124,950 | 40 | 0.03 | 1.15 |
| 18 | Alabama profile | $34.85 | $72,490 | $42,300 | $122,930 | 60 | 0.03 | 1.20 |
| 19 | Pennsylvania profile | $34.60 | $71,970 | $55,350 | $96,100 | 70 | 0.01 | 0.53 |
| 20 | Tennessee profile | $34.17 | $71,080 | $47,090 | $92,270 | 40 | 0.01 | 0.56 |
| 21 | Nebraska profile | $33.68 | $70,050 | $48,840 | $128,940 | 30 | 0.03 | 1.53 |
| 22 | New Mexico profile | $32.11 | $66,790 | $32,760 | $122,770 | 40 | 0.05 | 2.16 |
| 23 | Connecticut profile | $32.10 | $66,770 | $38,960 | $116,130 | 40 | 0.02 | 1.03 |
| 24 | Missouri profile | $30.88 | $64,230 | $38,270 | $105,060 | 50 | 0.02 | 0.71 |
| 25 | Georgia profile | $30.69 | $63,840 | $51,430 | $117,780 | 110 | 0.02 | 1.05 |
| 26 | Indiana profile | $30.66 | $63,770 | $43,320 | $125,290 | 30 | 0.01 | 0.49 |
| 27 | Kentucky profile | $30.54 | $63,530 | $42,260 | $98,530 | 50 | 0.02 | 1.06 |
| 28 | New York profile | $30.27 | $62,960 | $34,300 | $107,970 | 410 | 0.04 | 1.90 |
| 29 | Michigan profile | $30.25 | $62,920 | $52,480 | $86,030 | 80 | 0.02 | 0.82 |
| 30 | Ohio profile | $29.01 | $60,350 | $57,540 | $99,690 | ** | ** | ** |
| 31 | South Carolina profile | $25.06 | $52,120 | $39,090 | $97,470 | 60 | 0.03 | 1.11 |
| 32 | Oklahoma profile | $24.51 | $50,980 | $39,290 | $88,710 | 50 | 0.03 | 1.44 |
| 33 | Mississippi profile | $22.12 | $46,010 | $34,760 | $69,760 | 90 | 0.08 | 3.37 |
| 34 | Wisconsin profile | $22.03 | $45,810 | $37,510 | $84,590 | 50 | 0.02 | 0.78 |
| 35 | Utah profile | $16.27 | $33,840 | $33,840 | $95,300 | 80 | 0.05 | 2.20 |
Related occupations
Occupations in the same SOC broad group (19-3090), with their national median annual wage.
Part of Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations. Compare any area in the wage explorer.
Source and notes
Data: BLS OEWS May 2025, released 2026-05-15. Cross-industry estimates, all ownerships. BLS page: OEWS 19-3093 Historians.
**- Employment estimate not available.
- Annual wages assume 2,080 hours a year at the hourly rate; occupations BLS publishes on one basis only show an en dash (–) on the other.
- Employment is rounded to the nearest 10 by BLS. Where BLS withholds a cell, nothing is estimated in its place.
- Top industries: nat4d_M2025_dl.xlsx in oesm25in4.zip (BLS OEWS May 2025, national, 4-digit NAICS, cross-ownership). Employment is the industry's rounded total for this occupation; industries whose employment BLS withheld (**) are not ranked.
- Published medians: national_M2021_dl.xlsx to national_M2024_dl.xlsx in oesm21nat.zip to oesm24nat.zip (BLS OEWS May 2021 to May 2024, national, cross-industry, all ownerships) and the May 2025 spine. Each release is shown as published; nothing is computed between them.
Sources
- BLS Standard Occupational Classification 2018, definition of 19-3093, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (public domain).
- O*NET 30.1 Database, 19-3093.00, National Center for O*NET Development, USDOL/ETA (CC BY 4.0).
- OEWS May 2025 national industry-specific estimates, 4-digit NAICS (oesm25in4.zip), US Bureau of Labor Statistics (public domain).
- OEWS May 2021 national estimates (oesm21nat.zip), US Bureau of Labor Statistics (public domain).
- OEWS May 2022 national estimates (oesm22nat.zip), US Bureau of Labor Statistics (public domain).
- OEWS May 2023 national estimates (oesm23nat.zip), US Bureau of Labor Statistics (public domain).
- OEWS May 2024 national estimates (oesm24nat.zip), US Bureau of Labor Statistics (public domain).
- OEWS May 2025 national estimates (oesm25nat.zip), the site's data spine, US Bureau of Labor Statistics (public domain).
Includes information from O*NET 30.1 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration, used under the CC BY 4.0 license.
Description written 2026-10-17 in our own words from the sources above.