Archivist Salary in Columbia, MO: $51,603 (2026)

Archivist Pay in Columbia: What to Expect (2026)

Columbia offers a median archivist salary of $51,603, which is $0 above the Missouri state average of $51,603. Compared to the national median of $58,640, Columbia pays below the national benchmark for this role.

One of Columbia'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 Columbia an attractive option for archivists seeking strong real-dollar compensation.

The salary range for archivists in Columbia 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. With a population of 126,254, 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 $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

Percentile	Columbia	MO State	National
10th Percentile	$31,680	$31,680	$36,000
25th Percentile	$40,480	$40,480	$46,000
Median (50th)	$51,603	$51,603	$58,640
75th Percentile	$66,880	$66,880	$76,000
90th Percentile	$82,720	$82,720	$94,000

Percentile

Columbia

10th Percentile

$31,680

25th Percentile

$40,480

Median (50th)

$51,603

75th Percentile

$66,880

90th Percentile

$82,720

How to Become a Archivist in Columbia

Education

Most archivist positions require a master's degree. Columbia and the surrounding Missouri 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.

Frequently Asked Questions: Archivist Salary in Columbia

How much does a Archivist make in Columbia, MO? ▼

The median archivist salary in Columbia, Missouri 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 Columbia? ▼

Based on the median annual salary of $51,603, a archivist in Columbia earns approximately $25 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.

How does Columbia compare to the Missouri state average for archivist pay? ▼

Columbia's median archivist salary of $51,603 is 0.0% above the Missouri state average of $51,603. The local cost of living index is 88% of the national average.

What is the cost of living in Columbia, MO? ▼

Columbia has a cost of living index of 88% compared to the national average. This means a archivist salary of $51,603 in Columbia has more 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.

Archivist Salary in Columbia, Missouri