Creative & Education Montana (MT) Rank #25 of 50

Archivist Salary in Montana

The median archivist salary in Montana is $55,708 per year, which is 5% below the national median of $58,640.

Median Salary
$55,708
vs National
$-2,932
State Rank
#25 of 50
Cost of Living
95%

Archivist Salary Overview in Montana (2026)

Montana ranks #25 out of 50 states for archivist compensation. Montana falls in the middle of the pack for archivist pay, offering salaries near the national average. At $55,708 per year, archivists in Montana earn $2,932 less than the national median of $58,640.

Montana's cost of living is near the national average at 95%, meaning archivist salaries here translate closely to their face value in purchasing power.

The salary spread in Montana is significant: archivists at the 10th percentile earn $34,200, while those at the 90th percentile bring home $89,300 — a $55,100 gap that reflects differences in experience, specialization, employer type, and metro area. The highest-paying city in Montana for this role is Bozeman, where the median reaches $67,436.

Nationally, archivist employment is projected to grow 8% over the next decade (faster than average). This steady growth indicates stable demand for archivists across the country.

Archivist Salary in Montana by Experience

In Montana, an entry-level archivist earns around $36,100, while experienced professionals earn up to $83,600 per year. The cost of living index in Montana is 95% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$36,100
$-1,900 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$57,000
$-3,000 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$83,600
$-4,400 vs national

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Salary Percentiles in Montana

Percentile MT Salary
10th Percentile $34,200
25th Percentile $43,700
Median (50th) $55,708
75th Percentile $72,200
90th Percentile $89,300

Archivist Salary by City in Montana

The largest employment areas for archivists in Montana include Billings, Missoula, Great Falls, and Bozeman. Salaries vary by city based on local cost of living and demand.

How to Become a Archivist in Montana

Education

Most archivist positions require a master's degree. Montana has several accredited institutions offering relevant programs.

Key Skills

Archival ScienceCatalogingDigital PreservationResearchDatabase ManagementMetadata

Job Outlook in Montana

Nationally, archivist employment is projected to grow 8% over the next decade (faster than average). Montana's demand may vary based on local industry trends.

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Frequently Asked Questions: Archivist Salary in Montana

How much does a Archivist make in Montana? ▼
The median archivist salary in Montana is $55,708 per year, which is 5% below the national median of $58,640. Salaries range from $34,200 (10th percentile) to $89,300 (90th percentile).
How much does a Archivist make per hour in Montana? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $55,708, a archivist in Montana earns approximately $27 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
Is Montana a good state for archivists? ▼
Montana ranks #25 out of 50 states for archivist pay. The cost of living index is 95% of the national average. Entry-level archivists earn $36,100, while senior professionals earn $83,600.
How does Montana compare to other states for archivist salary? ▼
The highest paying state for archivists is Hawaii at $99,688. Montana's median of $55,708 ranks #25 nationally. Nearby-ranked states include Pennsylvania ($56,294) and Illinois ($55,708).
What is the entry-level archivist salary in Montana? ▼
An entry-level archivist in Montana earns approximately $36,100 per year. With 3-7 years of experience, pay increases to around $57,000. Senior-level professionals with 8+ years earn up to $83,600.
What city in Montana pays archivists the most? ▼
Bozeman is the highest paying city in Montana for archivists, with a median salary of $67,436. Other cities include Billings and Missoula.