Creative & Education Tuscaloosa, AL Pop. 101,129

Archivist Salary in Tuscaloosa, Alabama

The median archivist salary in Tuscaloosa, AL is $51,603 per year, which is 12% below the national median and 1.1% above the Alabama state average.

City Median
$51,603
vs State Avg
+$586
vs National
$-7,037
Cost of Living
88%

Archivist Pay in Tuscaloosa: What to Expect (2026)

Tuscaloosa offers a median archivist salary of $51,603, which is $586 above the Alabama state average of $51,017. Compared to the national median of $58,640, Tuscaloosa pays below the national benchmark for this role.

One of Tuscaloosa's biggest advantages is its low cost of living at 88% of the national average. This means the $51,603 salary stretches further here — equivalent to roughly $58,640 in an average-cost city. This makes Tuscaloosa an attractive option for archivists seeking strong real-dollar compensation.

The salary range for archivists in Tuscaloosa spans from $31,680 at the 10th percentile to $82,720 at the 90th percentile — a $51,040 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $33,440, while senior archivists with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $77,440. With a population of 101,129, Tuscaloosa is a mid-sized metro with a growing job market.

Archivist Salary in Tuscaloosa by Experience

In Tuscaloosa, an entry-level archivist earns around $33,440, while experienced professionals earn up to $77,440 per year. The local cost of living index is 88% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$33,440
$-4,560 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$52,800
$-7,200 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$77,440
$-10,560 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Tuscaloosa, AL

Percentile Tuscaloosa
10th Percentile $31,680
25th Percentile $40,480
Median (50th) $51,603
75th Percentile $66,880
90th Percentile $82,720

Archivist Salary in Other Alabama Cities

Huntsville, AL
$53,949
Pop. 216,963
Birmingham, AL
$52,776
Pop. 197,575
Montgomery, AL
$50,430
Pop. 200,603
Mobile, AL
$49,844
Pop. 187,041

How to Become a Archivist in Tuscaloosa

Education

Most archivist positions require a master's degree. Tuscaloosa and the surrounding Alabama area have institutions offering relevant programs.

Key Skills

Archival ScienceCatalogingDigital PreservationResearchDatabase ManagementMetadata

Job Outlook

Nationally, archivist employment is projected to grow 8% over the next decade (faster than average). Demand in Tuscaloosa may vary based on local industry and population growth.

Find Archivist Jobs in Tuscaloosa

Browse open archivist positions in Tuscaloosa, AL:

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Frequently Asked Questions: Archivist Salary in Tuscaloosa

How much does a Archivist make in Tuscaloosa, AL? ▼
The median archivist salary in Tuscaloosa, Alabama is $51,603 per year, which is 12% below the national median of $58,640. Salaries range from $31,680 (10th percentile) to $82,720 (90th percentile).
How much does a Archivist make per hour in Tuscaloosa? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $51,603, a archivist in Tuscaloosa earns approximately $25 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Tuscaloosa compare to the Alabama state average for archivist pay? ▼
Tuscaloosa's median archivist salary of $51,603 is 1.1% above the Alabama state average of $51,017. The local cost of living index is 88% of the national average.
What is the cost of living in Tuscaloosa, AL? ▼
Tuscaloosa has a cost of living index of 88% compared to the national average. This means a archivist salary of $51,603 in Tuscaloosa has more purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a archivist in Tuscaloosa? ▼
Most archivist positions in Tuscaloosa require a master's degree. Key skills include Archival Science, Cataloging, Digital Preservation, Research. The job market is projected to grow 8% nationally over the next decade.