What Is an Archivist?
Archivists help control, organize and collect information. Their aim is to preserve sound recordings, videos, documents, photographs, films, and electronic data. Archivists typically work for museums, schools, government agencies, or other institutions that keep permanent records. Archival work is usually conducted during normal business hours. They often come into contact with the general public and may have to deal with difficult individuals on occasion. These professionals may have to lift heavy objects and climb ladders. The main responsibilities included in an archivist's career are:
- Facilitating the acquisition, preservation, access, and arrangement of born-digital materials
- Appraising the materials to determine preservation issues and resolving issues
- Completing organization, preservation, and description of archived collections
- Creating exhibits and engaging in outreach campaigns and activities
- Maintaining and updating archival database
Archivist Career Requirements
| Degree Level | Bachelor's degree; master's degree preferred |
| Degree Field | Art, history, library science, archival science, or related field |
| Certification | Voluntary and beneficial |
| Key Skills | Analytical, organizational, research, and communication skills |
| Median Salary (2020)* | $56,760 (for all archivists) |
Source: *U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
What is an Archivist's Salary?
The career requirements for archivists includes strong analytical, organizational, research, and communication skills, as well as at least a bachelor's degree. So, how much can archivists earn? Salary varies by industry but, in general, archivists earned an average yearly salary of $56,760 in May 2020, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The statistics include information for museum curators and technicians, which are also career opportunities for educated archivists. The expected job growth over the next ten years is 11%, which is much faster than the average occupation. Now let's walk through the steps archivists take to enter and succeed in this career.
How to Become an Archivist
Step 1: Obtain an Undergraduate Degree
If you're wondering how do you become an archivist, the most important step is education. An undergraduate degree is a necessary archivist qualification. Ideally, an archivist acquires a bachelor's degree in library science or archival science. However, archivists can also hold bachelor's degrees in subjects such as history, art, or science. Concentrations, specializations, minors, and classes focusing on archival studies can help archivists gain a solid understanding of the field.
During college, you may want to take advantage of volunteering opportunities Volunteer work in a museum or library can help an aspiring archivist gain valuable first-hand experience working in the field. Museum archivist education on your resume is an impressive thing for potential employers to see. Additionally, aspiring archivists should use this time to familiarize themselves with the necessary technology. You might take elective courses in computers and study archival computer software. If you are interested in how to become a digital archivist, this is a crucial knowledge to have. Computers play a vital role in archival work, so archivists who are familiar with them might have a better career outlook.
Step 2: Consider a Graduate Archivist Degree
The question of what degree do you need to be an archivist is a tricky one. While a bachelor's degree may suffice for some positions, many employers prefer to hire archivists with master's degrees. At the graduate level, many schools offer master's degrees in archival studies, which may allow students to concentrate their studies on specific types of archival studies, like protecting and working with film or paper.
Participate in an archival internship: this helps students achieve the archivist training firsthand and aspiring archivists practice the skills learned in the classroom while establishing valuable networking connections. Additionally, an internship can serve as relevant work experience to list on a resume, helping you stand out when applying for jobs after graduation.
Step 3: Pursue Voluntary Certification
While this is not a necessary step to becoming an archivist, it is an important one! Many employers prefer archivists who have acquired voluntary certification with the Academy of Certified Archivists. The designation of Certified Archivist requires a master's degree in archival studies, one year of work experience and passage of a written exam. Anyone with a master's degree in a field other than archival studies needs two years of work experience. Certified archivists must re-certify every five years.
Step 4: Consider Advancement Opportunities
Archivists remain current in the field of archival studies by attending workshops, meetings, and conferences sponsored by historical museums and archival organizations. Archivists are often faced with limited promotional opportunities, though some can receive promotions to managerial or supervisory roles at bigger archives. Obtaining a doctorate can improve archivists' chances of rising to director positions, particularly with state archives.
Continue Your Education After Your Academic Career
A variety of continuing education options are available to archivists, such as workshops, courses and independent study. Continuing education may improve advancement opportunities and help an archivist stay current on industry trends and topics.
Additionally, you may want to join a professional organization, such as the Society of American Archivists. Doing so can provide an archivist with a variety of resources that may help with career advancement, including continuing education options, access to academic publications, an invitation to an annual meeting for archivists and networking opportunities.
Archivists generally need at least a bachelor's degree, many employers prefer a master's degree and professional certification.
