Creative & Education Cambridge, MA Pop. 118,403

Archivist Salary in Cambridge, Massachusetts

The median archivist salary in Cambridge, MA is $93,824 per year, which is 60.0% above the national median and 18.5% above the Massachusetts state average.

City Median
$93,824
vs State Avg
+$14,660
vs National
+$35,184
Cost of Living
160%

Archivist Pay in Cambridge: What to Expect (2026)

Cambridge offers a median archivist salary of $93,824, which is $14,660 above the Massachusetts state average of $79,164. Compared to the national median of $58,640, Cambridge pays above average for this role.

However, Cambridge's cost of living index is 160%, significantly above the national average. After adjusting for local costs, the $93,824 salary has an effective purchasing power of approximately $58,640. Housing, transportation, and food costs in Cambridge should be factored into any relocation or job-change decision.

The salary range for archivists in Cambridge spans from $57,600 at the 10th percentile to $150,400 at the 90th percentile — a $92,800 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $60,800, while senior archivists with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $140,800. With a population of 118,403, Cambridge is a mid-sized metro with a growing job market.

Archivist Salary in Cambridge by Experience

In Cambridge, an entry-level archivist earns around $60,800, while experienced professionals earn up to $140,800 per year. The local cost of living index is 160% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$60,800
+$22,800 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$96,000
+$36,000 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$140,800
+$52,800 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Cambridge, MA

Percentile Cambridge
10th Percentile $57,600
25th Percentile $73,600
Median (50th) $93,824
75th Percentile $121,600
90th Percentile $150,400

Archivist Salary in Other Massachusetts Cities

Boston, MA
$89,133
Pop. 675,647
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 Cambridge

Education

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

Find Archivist Jobs in Cambridge

Browse open archivist positions in Cambridge, MA:

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Frequently Asked Questions: Archivist Salary in Cambridge

How much does a Archivist make in Cambridge, MA? ▼
The median archivist salary in Cambridge, Massachusetts is $93,824 per year, which is 60.0% above the national median of $58,640. Salaries range from $57,600 (10th percentile) to $150,400 (90th percentile).
How much does a Archivist make per hour in Cambridge? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $93,824, a archivist in Cambridge earns approximately $45 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Cambridge compare to the Massachusetts state average for archivist pay? ▼
Cambridge's median archivist salary of $93,824 is 18.5% above the Massachusetts state average of $79,164. The local cost of living index is 160% of the national average.
What is the cost of living in Cambridge, MA? ▼
Cambridge has a cost of living index of 160% compared to the national average. This means a archivist salary of $93,824 in Cambridge has less purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a archivist in Cambridge? ▼
Most archivist positions in Cambridge 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.