Creative & Education Boston, MA Pop. 675,647

Archivist Salary in Boston, Massachusetts

The median archivist salary in Boston, MA is $89,133 per year, which is 52.0% above the national median and 12.6% above the Massachusetts state average.

City Median
$89,133
vs State Avg
+$9,969
vs National
+$30,493
Cost of Living
152%

Archivist Pay in Boston: What to Expect (2026)

Boston offers a median archivist salary of $89,133, which is $9,969 above the Massachusetts state average of $79,164. Compared to the national median of $58,640, Boston pays above average for this role.

However, Boston's cost of living index is 152%, significantly above the national average. After adjusting for local costs, the $89,133 salary has an effective purchasing power of approximately $58,640. Housing, transportation, and food costs in Boston should be factored into any relocation or job-change decision.

The salary range for archivists in Boston spans from $54,720 at the 10th percentile to $142,880 at the 90th percentile — a $88,160 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $57,760, while senior archivists with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $133,760. As a major metro area with a population of 675,647, Boston typically offers more job opportunities and employer competition, which can drive salaries higher.

Archivist Salary in Boston by Experience

In Boston, an entry-level archivist earns around $57,760, while experienced professionals earn up to $133,760 per year. The local cost of living index is 152% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$57,760
+$19,760 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$91,200
+$31,200 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$133,760
+$45,760 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Boston, MA

Percentile Boston
10th Percentile $54,720
25th Percentile $69,920
Median (50th) $89,133
75th Percentile $115,520
90th Percentile $142,880

Archivist Salary in Other Massachusetts Cities

Cambridge, MA
$93,824
Pop. 118,403
Worcester, MA
$64,504
Pop. 206,518
Lowell, MA
$61,572
Pop. 115,554
Springfield, MA
$57,467
Pop. 155,929

How to Become a Archivist in Boston

Education

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

Find Archivist Jobs in Boston

Browse open archivist positions in Boston, MA:

Indeed → LinkedIn → ZipRecruiter → Glassdoor →

Frequently Asked Questions: Archivist Salary in Boston

How much does a Archivist make in Boston, MA? ▼
The median archivist salary in Boston, Massachusetts is $89,133 per year, which is 52.0% above the national median of $58,640. Salaries range from $54,720 (10th percentile) to $142,880 (90th percentile).
How much does a Archivist make per hour in Boston? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $89,133, a archivist in Boston earns approximately $43 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Boston compare to the Massachusetts state average for archivist pay? ▼
Boston's median archivist salary of $89,133 is 12.6% above the Massachusetts state average of $79,164. The local cost of living index is 152% of the national average.
What is the cost of living in Boston, MA? ▼
Boston has a cost of living index of 152% compared to the national average. This means a archivist salary of $89,133 in Boston has less purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a archivist in Boston? ▼
Most archivist positions in Boston 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.