Archivist Salary in Kansas City, KS: $51,603 (2026)

Archivist Pay in Kansas City: What to Expect (2026)

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

One of Kansas City'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 Kansas City an attractive option for archivists seeking strong real-dollar compensation.

The salary range for archivists in Kansas City 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 156,607, Kansas City is a mid-sized metro with a growing job market.

Archivist Salary in Kansas City by Experience

In Kansas City, 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

Percentile	Kansas City	KS State	National
10th Percentile	$31,680	$31,320	$36,000
25th Percentile	$40,480	$40,020	$46,000
Median (50th)	$51,603	$51,017	$58,640
75th Percentile	$66,880	$66,120	$76,000
90th Percentile	$82,720	$81,780	$94,000

Percentile

Kansas City

10th Percentile

$31,680

25th Percentile

$40,480

Median (50th)

$51,603

75th Percentile

$66,880

90th Percentile

$82,720

How to Become a Archivist in Kansas City

Education

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

Frequently Asked Questions: Archivist Salary in Kansas City

How much does a Archivist make in Kansas City, KS? ▼

The median archivist salary in Kansas City, Kansas 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 Kansas City? ▼

Based on the median annual salary of $51,603, a archivist in Kansas City earns approximately $25 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.

How does Kansas City compare to the Kansas state average for archivist pay? ▼

Kansas City's median archivist salary of $51,603 is 1.1% above the Kansas state average of $51,017. The local cost of living index is 88% of the national average.

What is the cost of living in Kansas City, KS? ▼

Kansas City has a cost of living index of 88% compared to the national average. This means a archivist salary of $51,603 in Kansas City has more purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.

What qualifications do I need to become a archivist in Kansas City? ▼

Most archivist positions in Kansas City 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.

Archivist Salary in Kansas City, Kansas