Archivist Salary in Louisville, KY: $53,949 (2026)

Archivist Pay in Louisville: What to Expect (2026)

Louisville offers a median archivist salary of $53,949, which is $2,932 above the Kentucky state average of $51,017. Compared to the national median of $58,640, Louisville pays below the national benchmark for this role.

Louisville's cost of living is 92% 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 Louisville spans from $33,120 at the 10th percentile to $86,480 at the 90th percentile — a $53,360 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $34,960, while senior archivists with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $80,960. As a major metro area with a population of 633,045, Louisville typically offers more job opportunities and employer competition, which can drive salaries higher.

Archivist Salary in Louisville by Experience

In Louisville, an entry-level archivist earns around $34,960, while experienced professionals earn up to $80,960 per year. The local cost of living index is 92% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)

$34,960

$-3,040 vs national

Mid Level (3-7 yrs)

$55,200

$-4,800 vs national

Senior Level (8+ yrs)

$80,960

$-7,040 vs national

Percentile	Louisville	KY State	National
10th Percentile	$33,120	$31,320	$36,000
25th Percentile	$42,320	$40,020	$46,000
Median (50th)	$53,949	$51,017	$58,640
75th Percentile	$69,920	$66,120	$76,000
90th Percentile	$86,480	$81,780	$94,000

Percentile

Louisville

10th Percentile

$33,120

25th Percentile

$42,320

Median (50th)

$53,949

75th Percentile

$69,920

90th Percentile

$86,480

How to Become a Archivist in Louisville

Education

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

Frequently Asked Questions: Archivist Salary in Louisville

How much does a Archivist make in Louisville, KY? ▼

The median archivist salary in Louisville, Kentucky is $53,949 per year, which is 8% below the national median of $58,640. Salaries range from $33,120 (10th percentile) to $86,480 (90th percentile).

How much does a Archivist make per hour in Louisville? ▼

Based on the median annual salary of $53,949, a archivist in Louisville earns approximately $26 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.

How does Louisville compare to the Kentucky state average for archivist pay? ▼

Louisville's median archivist salary of $53,949 is 5.7% above the Kentucky state average of $51,017. The local cost of living index is 92% of the national average.

What is the cost of living in Louisville, KY? ▼

Louisville has a cost of living index of 92% compared to the national average. This means a archivist salary of $53,949 in Louisville has more purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.

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

Most archivist positions in Louisville 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 Louisville, Kentucky