Creative & Education Columbia, MD Pop. 104,681

Archivist Salary in Columbia, Maryland

The median archivist salary in Columbia, MD is $69,195 per year, which is 18.0% above the national median and 7.3% above the Maryland state average.

City Median
$69,195
vs State Avg
+$4,691
vs National
+$10,555
Cost of Living
118%

Archivist Pay in Columbia: What to Expect (2026)

Columbia offers a median archivist salary of $69,195, which is $4,691 above the Maryland state average of $64,504. Compared to the national median of $58,640, Columbia pays above average for this role.

However, Columbia's cost of living index is 118%, significantly above the national average. After adjusting for local costs, the $69,195 salary has an effective purchasing power of approximately $58,640. Housing, transportation, and food costs in Columbia should be factored into any relocation or job-change decision.

The salary range for archivists in Columbia spans from $42,480 at the 10th percentile to $110,920 at the 90th percentile — a $68,440 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $44,840, while senior archivists with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $103,840. With a population of 104,681, Columbia is a mid-sized metro with a growing job market.

Archivist Salary in Columbia by Experience

In Columbia, an entry-level archivist earns around $44,840, while experienced professionals earn up to $103,840 per year. The local cost of living index is 118% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$44,840
+$6,840 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$70,800
+$10,800 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$103,840
+$15,840 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Columbia, MD

Percentile Columbia
10th Percentile $42,480
25th Percentile $54,280
Median (50th) $69,195
75th Percentile $89,680
90th Percentile $110,920

Archivist Salary in Other Maryland Cities

Silver Spring, MD
$71,541
Pop. 81,015
Germantown, MD
$67,436
Pop. 90,676
Baltimore, MD
$63,331
Pop. 585,708
Waldorf, MD
$61,572
Pop. 77,000

How to Become a Archivist in Columbia

Education

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

Find Archivist Jobs in Columbia

Browse open archivist positions in Columbia, MD:

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Frequently Asked Questions: Archivist Salary in Columbia

How much does a Archivist make in Columbia, MD? ▼
The median archivist salary in Columbia, Maryland is $69,195 per year, which is 18.0% above the national median of $58,640. Salaries range from $42,480 (10th percentile) to $110,920 (90th percentile).
How much does a Archivist make per hour in Columbia? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $69,195, a archivist in Columbia earns approximately $33 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Columbia compare to the Maryland state average for archivist pay? ▼
Columbia's median archivist salary of $69,195 is 7.3% above the Maryland state average of $64,504. The local cost of living index is 118% of the national average.
What is the cost of living in Columbia, MD? ▼
Columbia has a cost of living index of 118% compared to the national average. This means a archivist salary of $69,195 in Columbia has less purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a archivist in Columbia? ▼
Most archivist positions in Columbia 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.