Creative & Education San Jose, CA Pop. 1,013,240

Archivist Salary in San Jose, California

The median archivist salary in San Jose, CA is $98,515 per year, which is 68.0% above the national median and 21.7% above the California state average.

City Median
$98,515
vs State Avg
+$17,592
vs National
+$39,875
Cost of Living
168%

Archivist Pay in San Jose: What to Expect (2026)

San Jose offers a median archivist salary of $98,515, which is $17,592 above the California state average of $80,923. Compared to the national median of $58,640, San Jose pays above average for this role.

However, San Jose's cost of living index is 168%, significantly above the national average. After adjusting for local costs, the $98,515 salary has an effective purchasing power of approximately $58,640. Housing, transportation, and food costs in San Jose should be factored into any relocation or job-change decision.

The salary range for archivists in San Jose spans from $60,480 at the 10th percentile to $157,920 at the 90th percentile — a $97,440 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $63,840, while senior archivists with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $147,840. As a major metro area with a population of 1,013,240, San Jose typically offers more job opportunities and employer competition, which can drive salaries higher.

Archivist Salary in San Jose by Experience

In San Jose, an entry-level archivist earns around $63,840, while experienced professionals earn up to $147,840 per year. The local cost of living index is 168% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$63,840
+$25,840 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$100,800
+$40,800 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$147,840
+$59,840 vs national

Salary Percentiles in San Jose, CA

Percentile San Jose
10th Percentile $60,480
25th Percentile $77,280
Median (50th) $98,515
75th Percentile $127,680
90th Percentile $157,920

Archivist Salary in Other California Cities

San Francisco, CA
$106,725
Pop. 873,965
Los Angeles, CA
$85,614
Pop. 3,898,747
San Diego, CA
$83,269
Pop. 1,386,932
Sacramento, CA
$69,195
Pop. 524,943

How to Become a Archivist in San Jose

Education

Most archivist positions require a master's degree. San Jose 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 San Jose may vary based on local industry and population growth.

Find Archivist Jobs in San Jose

Browse open archivist positions in San Jose, CA:

Indeed → LinkedIn → ZipRecruiter → Glassdoor →

Frequently Asked Questions: Archivist Salary in San Jose

How much does a Archivist make in San Jose, CA? ▼
The median archivist salary in San Jose, California is $98,515 per year, which is 68.0% above the national median of $58,640. Salaries range from $60,480 (10th percentile) to $157,920 (90th percentile).
How much does a Archivist make per hour in San Jose? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $98,515, a archivist in San Jose earns approximately $47 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does San Jose compare to the California state average for archivist pay? ▼
San Jose's median archivist salary of $98,515 is 21.7% above the California state average of $80,923. The local cost of living index is 168% of the national average.
What is the cost of living in San Jose, CA? ▼
San Jose has a cost of living index of 168% compared to the national average. This means a archivist salary of $98,515 in San Jose has less purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a archivist in San Jose? ▼
Most archivist positions in San Jose 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.