Creative & Education Indianapolis, IN Pop. 887,642

Archivist Salary in Indianapolis, Indiana

The median archivist salary in Indianapolis, IN is $54,535 per year, which is 7% below the national median and 3.3% above the Indiana state average.

City Median
$54,535
vs State Avg
+$1,759
vs National
$-4,105
Cost of Living
93%

Archivist Pay in Indianapolis: What to Expect (2026)

Indianapolis offers a median archivist salary of $54,535, which is $1,759 above the Indiana state average of $52,776. Compared to the national median of $58,640, Indianapolis pays below the national benchmark for this role.

Indianapolis's cost of living is 93% of the national average, meaning salary figures here closely reflect actual purchasing power. This makes direct comparisons to other cities straightforward.

The salary range for archivists in Indianapolis spans from $33,480 at the 10th percentile to $87,420 at the 90th percentile — a $53,940 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $35,340, while senior archivists with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $81,840. As a major metro area with a population of 887,642, Indianapolis typically offers more job opportunities and employer competition, which can drive salaries higher.

Archivist Salary in Indianapolis by Experience

In Indianapolis, an entry-level archivist earns around $35,340, while experienced professionals earn up to $81,840 per year. The local cost of living index is 93% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$35,340
$-2,660 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$55,800
$-4,200 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$81,840
$-6,160 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Indianapolis, IN

Percentile Indianapolis
10th Percentile $33,480
25th Percentile $42,780
Median (50th) $54,535
75th Percentile $70,680
90th Percentile $87,420

Archivist Salary in Other Indiana Cities

Carmel, IN
$61,572
Pop. 99,757
Fort Wayne, IN
$49,844
Pop. 263,886
Evansville, IN
$49,258
Pop. 117,429
South Bend, IN
$48,671
Pop. 103,453

How to Become a Archivist in Indianapolis

Education

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

Find Archivist Jobs in Indianapolis

Browse open archivist positions in Indianapolis, IN:

Indeed → LinkedIn → ZipRecruiter → Glassdoor →

Frequently Asked Questions: Archivist Salary in Indianapolis

How much does a Archivist make in Indianapolis, IN? ▼
The median archivist salary in Indianapolis, Indiana is $54,535 per year, which is 7% below the national median of $58,640. Salaries range from $33,480 (10th percentile) to $87,420 (90th percentile).
How much does a Archivist make per hour in Indianapolis? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $54,535, a archivist in Indianapolis earns approximately $26 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Indianapolis compare to the Indiana state average for archivist pay? ▼
Indianapolis's median archivist salary of $54,535 is 3.3% above the Indiana state average of $52,776. The local cost of living index is 93% of the national average.
What is the cost of living in Indianapolis, IN? ▼
Indianapolis has a cost of living index of 93% compared to the national average. This means a archivist salary of $54,535 in Indianapolis has more purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a archivist in Indianapolis? ▼
Most archivist positions in Indianapolis 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.