Creative & Education Detroit, MI Pop. 639,111

Archivist Salary in Detroit, Michigan

The median archivist salary in Detroit, MI is $51,603 per year, which is 12% below the national median and 2.2% below the Michigan state average.

City Median
$51,603
vs State Avg
$-1,173
vs National
$-7,037
Cost of Living
88%

Archivist Pay in Detroit: What to Expect (2026)

Detroit offers a median archivist salary of $51,603, which is $1,173 below the Michigan state average of $52,776. Compared to the national median of $58,640, Detroit pays below the national benchmark for this role.

One of Detroit's biggest advantages is its low cost of living at 88% of the national average. This means the $51,603 salary stretches further here — equivalent to roughly $58,640 in an average-cost city. This makes Detroit an attractive option for archivists seeking strong real-dollar compensation.

The salary range for archivists in Detroit spans from $31,680 at the 10th percentile to $82,720 at the 90th percentile — a $51,040 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $33,440, while senior archivists with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $77,440. As a major metro area with a population of 639,111, Detroit typically offers more job opportunities and employer competition, which can drive salaries higher.

Archivist Salary in Detroit by Experience

In Detroit, an entry-level archivist earns around $33,440, while experienced professionals earn up to $77,440 per year. The local cost of living index is 88% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$33,440
$-4,560 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$52,800
$-7,200 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$77,440
$-10,560 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Detroit, MI

Percentile Detroit
10th Percentile $31,680
25th Percentile $40,480
Median (50th) $51,603
75th Percentile $66,880
90th Percentile $82,720

Archivist Salary in Other Michigan Cities

Ann Arbor, MI
$61,572
Pop. 123,851
Grand Rapids, MI
$52,776
Pop. 198,917
Warren, MI
$51,603
Pop. 139,387
Lansing, MI
$50,430
Pop. 112,644

How to Become a Archivist in Detroit

Education

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

Find Archivist Jobs in Detroit

Browse open archivist positions in Detroit, MI:

Indeed → LinkedIn → ZipRecruiter → Glassdoor →

Frequently Asked Questions: Archivist Salary in Detroit

How much does a Archivist make in Detroit, MI? ▼
The median archivist salary in Detroit, Michigan is $51,603 per year, which is 12% below the national median of $58,640. Salaries range from $31,680 (10th percentile) to $82,720 (90th percentile).
How much does a Archivist make per hour in Detroit? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $51,603, a archivist in Detroit earns approximately $25 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Detroit compare to the Michigan state average for archivist pay? ▼
Detroit's median archivist salary of $51,603 is 2.2% below the Michigan state average of $52,776. The local cost of living index is 88% of the national average.
What is the cost of living in Detroit, MI? ▼
Detroit has a cost of living index of 88% compared to the national average. This means a archivist salary of $51,603 in Detroit has more purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a archivist in Detroit? ▼
Most archivist positions in Detroit 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.