Creative & Education Los Angeles, CA Pop. 3,898,747

Archivist Salary in Los Angeles, California

The median archivist salary in Los Angeles, CA is $85,614 per year, which is 46.0% above the national median and 5.8% above the California state average.

City Median
$85,614
vs State Avg
+$4,691
vs National
+$26,974
Cost of Living
146%

Archivist Pay in Los Angeles: What to Expect (2026)

Los Angeles offers a median archivist salary of $85,614, which is $4,691 above the California state average of $80,923. Compared to the national median of $58,640, Los Angeles pays above average for this role.

However, Los Angeles's cost of living index is 146%, significantly above the national average. After adjusting for local costs, the $85,614 salary has an effective purchasing power of approximately $58,640. Housing, transportation, and food costs in Los Angeles should be factored into any relocation or job-change decision.

The salary range for archivists in Los Angeles spans from $52,560 at the 10th percentile to $137,240 at the 90th percentile — a $84,680 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $55,480, while senior archivists with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $128,480. As a major metro area with a population of 3,898,747, Los Angeles typically offers more job opportunities and employer competition, which can drive salaries higher.

Archivist Salary in Los Angeles by Experience

In Los Angeles, an entry-level archivist earns around $55,480, while experienced professionals earn up to $128,480 per year. The local cost of living index is 146% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$55,480
+$17,480 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$87,600
+$27,600 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$128,480
+$40,480 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Los Angeles, CA

Percentile Los Angeles
10th Percentile $52,560
25th Percentile $67,160
Median (50th) $85,614
75th Percentile $110,960
90th Percentile $137,240

Archivist Salary in Other California Cities

San Francisco, CA
$106,725
Pop. 873,965
San Jose, CA
$98,515
Pop. 1,013,240
San Diego, CA
$83,269
Pop. 1,386,932
Sacramento, CA
$69,195
Pop. 524,943

How to Become a Archivist in Los Angeles

Education

Most archivist positions require a master's degree. Los Angeles and the surrounding California 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 Los Angeles may vary based on local industry and population growth.

Find Archivist Jobs in Los Angeles

Browse open archivist positions in Los Angeles, CA:

Indeed → LinkedIn → ZipRecruiter → Glassdoor →

Frequently Asked Questions: Archivist Salary in Los Angeles

How much does a Archivist make in Los Angeles, CA? ▼
The median archivist salary in Los Angeles, California is $85,614 per year, which is 46.0% above the national median of $58,640. Salaries range from $52,560 (10th percentile) to $137,240 (90th percentile).
How much does a Archivist make per hour in Los Angeles? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $85,614, a archivist in Los Angeles earns approximately $41 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Los Angeles compare to the California state average for archivist pay? ▼
Los Angeles's median archivist salary of $85,614 is 5.8% above the California state average of $80,923. The local cost of living index is 146% of the national average.
What is the cost of living in Los Angeles, CA? ▼
Los Angeles has a cost of living index of 146% compared to the national average. This means a archivist salary of $85,614 in Los Angeles has less purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a archivist in Los Angeles? ▼
Most archivist positions in Los Angeles 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.