Archivist Salary in Owensboro, KY: $48,085 (2026)

Archivist Pay in Owensboro: What to Expect (2026)

Owensboro offers a median archivist salary of $48,085, which is $2,932 below the Kentucky state average of $51,017. Compared to the national median of $58,640, Owensboro pays below the national benchmark for this role.

One of Owensboro's biggest advantages is its low cost of living at 82% of the national average. This means the $48,085 salary stretches further here — equivalent to roughly $58,640 in an average-cost city. This makes Owensboro an attractive option for archivists seeking strong real-dollar compensation.

The salary range for archivists in Owensboro spans from $29,520 at the 10th percentile to $77,080 at the 90th percentile — a $47,560 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $31,160, while senior archivists with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $72,160. Owensboro is a smaller market (pop. 60,183), which may mean fewer openings but also less competition for available positions.

Archivist Salary in Owensboro by Experience

In Owensboro, an entry-level archivist earns around $31,160, while experienced professionals earn up to $72,160 per year. The local cost of living index is 82% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)

$31,160

$-6,840 vs national

Mid Level (3-7 yrs)

$49,200

$-10,800 vs national

Senior Level (8+ yrs)

$72,160

$-15,840 vs national

Percentile	Owensboro	KY State	National
10th Percentile	$29,520	$31,320	$36,000
25th Percentile	$37,720	$40,020	$46,000
Median (50th)	$48,085	$51,017	$58,640
75th Percentile	$62,320	$66,120	$76,000
90th Percentile	$77,080	$81,780	$94,000

Percentile

Owensboro

10th Percentile

$29,520

25th Percentile

$37,720

Median (50th)

$48,085

75th Percentile

$62,320

90th Percentile

$77,080

How to Become a Archivist in Owensboro

Education

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

Frequently Asked Questions: Archivist Salary in Owensboro

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

The median archivist salary in Owensboro, Kentucky is $48,085 per year, which is 18% below the national median of $58,640. Salaries range from $29,520 (10th percentile) to $77,080 (90th percentile).

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

Based on the median annual salary of $48,085, a archivist in Owensboro earns approximately $23 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.

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

Owensboro's median archivist salary of $48,085 is 5.7% below the Kentucky state average of $51,017. The local cost of living index is 82% of the national average.

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

Owensboro has a cost of living index of 82% compared to the national average. This means a archivist salary of $48,085 in Owensboro has more purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.

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

Most archivist positions in Owensboro 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 Owensboro, Kentucky