Occupation · SOC 25-4011
Archivists
Appraise, edit, and direct safekeeping of permanent records and historically valuable documents. Participate in research activities based on archival materials.
Median wage
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Projected growth
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Annual openings
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per year
Employed (US)
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Job Zone 5
Typical preparation
Extensive preparation
Stackable credential programs
250 mapped
Core skills
Reading ComprehensionActive ListeningWritingSpeakingActive LearningCritical ThinkingComplex Problem SolvingService Orientation
Knowledge areas
History and ArcheologyEnglish LanguageCustomer and Personal ServiceComputers and ElectronicsAdministration and Management
Technology & tools
Data base user interface and query softwareDocument management softwareGraphics or photo imaging softwareDesktop publishing softwareVideo creation and editing software
Representative tasks
Organize archival records and develop classification systems to facilitate access to archival materials.Provide reference services and assistance for users needing archival materials.Prepare archival records, such as document descriptions, to allow easy access to information.Create and maintain accessible, retrievable computer archives and databases, incorporating current advances in electronic information storage technology.Establish and administer policy guidelines concerning public access and use of materials.Direct activities of workers who assist in arranging, cataloguing, exhibiting, and maintaining collections of valuable materials.Preserve records, documents, and objects, copying records to film, videotape, audiotape, disk, or computer formats as necessary.Research and record the origins and historical significance of archival materials.Locate new materials and direct their acquisition and display.Authenticate and appraise historical documents and archival materials.Coordinate educational and public outreach programs, such as tours, workshops, lectures, and classes.Specialize in an area of history or technology, researching topics or items relevant to collections to determine what should be retained or acquired.Select and edit documents for publication and display, applying knowledge of subject, literary expression, and presentation techniques.
Competency framework
Skill expectations by proficiency level.
emerging
Archival records and basic classification schemes — apply established organizational systems under faculty or senior archivist supervision in a university or institutional repository setting.Reference inquiries from researchers — respond to routine requests by locating and retrieving archival materials under direct guidance in a public-facing reading room.Document descriptions and finding aids — draft preliminary metadata entries following departmental standards under close review by a supervising archivist.Electronic databases and digital archives — enter and index records into existing database structures using current electronic information storage protocols under direction.Access and use policies — interpret and communicate existing institutional policy guidelines to patrons, escalating complex cases to senior staff in a regulated archive environment.Physical records and fragile documents — handle, rehouse, and perform basic preservation tasks using established procedures under supervised conditions in a climate-controlled repository.Archival materials of historical significance — research provenance information using secondary sources and internal accession records under mentored instruction.Spreadsheet and database query tools — use standard software applications to track accession data and generate simple inventory reports within an institutional collections management system.Cataloguing and arrangement workflows — assist senior archivists in arranging newly acquired collections according to the principle of provenance in a professional archive setting.Written finding aids and descriptive notes — compose clear, grammatically accurate descriptions of archival series using controlled vocabulary under editorial supervision.
developing
Archival classification systems — design and implement series-level arrangement schemes with reduced oversight for mid-sized acquisitions in a government or academic archive.Reference services for diverse user groups — provide tailored research assistance to scholars, genealogists, and public users navigating complex holdings in a multi-format repository.Finding aids and descriptive records — independently produce EAD-encoded finding aids conforming to DACS standards for newly processed collections in an institutional archive.Digital preservation workflows — create and maintain retrievable computer archives by applying current metadata schemas and file format migration strategies in a hybrid analog-digital repository.Access and use policy questions — advise patrons on copyright, donor restrictions, and privacy considerations by applying existing institutional policy frameworks in day-to-day reference interactions.Collections maintenance activities — coordinate with support staff to oversee rehousing, labeling, and environmental monitoring tasks in a temperature- and humidity-controlled stacks environment.Provenance and historical context research — investigate and document the origins and significance of newly acquired materials using primary sources and external historical records.Document management and imaging software — use scanning, photo imaging, and desktop publishing tools to produce high-quality digital surrogates of archival originals for online access.Preservation copying projects — execute reformatting of deteriorating records to digital or microfilm formats following established preservation standards in a conservation-aware setting.Monitoring and quality review — evaluate the accuracy of cataloguing and descriptive work produced by paraprofessional assistants and recommend corrections within an established review cycle.
proficient
Complex archival collections — autonomously appraise, arrange, and describe large or disorganized acquisitions, making independent intellectual judgments about series structure in a research institution or special collections environment.Reference services for advanced research needs — guide faculty, legal professionals, and documentary filmmakers through intricate or obscure holdings, synthesizing cross-collection evidence in a specialized archival repository.Comprehensive finding aids and descriptive instruments — produce publication-quality, multi-level EAD finding aids with contextual biographical and organizational histories that meet national archival descriptive standards.Enterprise-level digital repository systems — architect and administer electronic archives incorporating linked data principles, digital object identifiers, and long-term preservation planning in an institutional or consortium environment.Access, privacy, and intellectual property policies — interpret ambiguous donor agreements, FOIA obligations, and records law to render independent access decisions on sensitive or restricted materials.Collections management staff — direct the full work cycle of archival assistants and project cataloguers, setting priorities, resolving technical disputes, and ensuring descriptive quality across an active processing program.Outreach and exhibition programming — curate thematic archival exhibitions and educational programs that translate primary-source holdings into public-facing narratives for diverse audiences.Geographic information systems and web platforms — integrate GIS data and web development tools to build interactive online access points that enhance discovery of spatially indexed archival materials.Preservation risk assessment — evaluate the physical and digital condition of entire collection areas and develop prioritized treatment plans in collaboration with conservators and IT infrastructure teams.Historical and legal significance research — independently establish and record the provenance, chain of custody, and contextual significance of rare or disputed archival materials for institutional record and scholarly publication.
advanced
Institutional archives strategy — set the long-range vision, collection scope, and programmatic priorities for an entire archival program aligned with organizational mission at the executive or directorial level.Organizational access and use policy frameworks — develop, promulgate, and regularly review comprehensive policy governance structures covering public access, digitization rights, and data privacy across all institutional holdings.Cross-institutional consortia and national standards — lead collaborative initiatives with peer repositories, professional associations, and standards bodies to shape best practices in archival description and digital preservation at a national level.Archival workforce development — mentor and train emerging and developing archivists through formal supervision, professional development programs, and structured knowledge-transfer initiatives within a large repository or university system.Enterprise digital preservation infrastructure — direct the selection, procurement, and governance of repository platforms, metadata standards, and long-term digital stewardship programs at an organizational scale.Resource allocation and budget stewardship — oversee multi-year operational and capital budgets for collections care, staffing, and technology, justifying investments to institutional leadership and external funding bodies.Donor relations and acquisitions leadership — cultivate strategic relationships with donors, government agencies, and private collectors to expand institutional holdings in alignment with documented collection development policies.Equity and inclusive access initiatives — champion institution-wide programs that address historical description biases, expand community archives partnerships, and ensure equitable access to archival resources for underserved populations.Advocacy and legislative engagement — represent the archival profession before legislative bodies, regulatory agencies, and public forums, influencing records management law and information policy at regional or national levels.Research and professional scholarship — produce and disseminate original scholarship on archival theory, practice, or institutional history that advances the field and elevates the institution's intellectual reputation within the broader scholarly community.
Also known as
34 alternate job titles map to this occupation.
Project ArchivistRegistrarProcessing ArchivistDocument ScannerImage ArchivistHistorian Apprentice (Air Force 3H031)Historian Manager (Air Force 3H000)Records ManagerRecords SpecialistArchives Technician (Archives Tech)Archives SpecialistHistorian (Air Force 3H0X1)Document Management Technician (Document Management Tech)Historian Helper (Air Force 3H011)Historian Superintendent (Air Force 3H091)Accessioning ArchivistHistorian Craftsman (Air Force 3H071)Records ClerkMuseum ArchivistArchivistDigitization AssistantState ArchivistDigital Asset ArchivistUniversity ArchivistHistorian (Marine Corps 8878)Film ArchivistProduction Manager (Navy 002761)Digital ArchivistRecords AssociateHistorian Journeyman (Air Force 3H051)Historian (Air Force 84H0)Historical Officer (Navy 2415)Records Management SpecialistReference Archivist