Creative & Education Helena, MT Pop. 32,315

Archivist Salary in Helena, Montana

The median archivist salary in Helena, MT is $55,122 per year, which is 6% below the national median and 1.1% below the Montana state average.

City Median
$55,122
vs State Avg
$-586
vs National
$-3,518
Cost of Living
94%

Archivist Pay in Helena: What to Expect (2026)

Helena offers a median archivist salary of $55,122, which is $586 below the Montana state average of $55,708. Compared to the national median of $58,640, Helena pays below the national benchmark for this role.

Helena's cost of living is 94% of the national average, meaning salary figures here closely reflect actual purchasing power. This makes direct comparisons to other cities straightforward.

The salary range for archivists in Helena spans from $33,840 at the 10th percentile to $88,360 at the 90th percentile — a $54,520 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $35,720, while senior archivists with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $82,720. Helena is a smaller market (pop. 32,315), which may mean fewer openings but also less competition for available positions.

Archivist Salary in Helena by Experience

In Helena, an entry-level archivist earns around $35,720, while experienced professionals earn up to $82,720 per year. The local cost of living index is 94% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$35,720
$-2,280 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$56,400
$-3,600 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$82,720
$-5,280 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Helena, MT

Percentile Helena
10th Percentile $33,840
25th Percentile $43,240
Median (50th) $55,122
75th Percentile $71,440
90th Percentile $88,360

Archivist Salary in Other Montana Cities

How to Become a Archivist in Helena

Education

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

Find Archivist Jobs in Helena

Browse open archivist positions in Helena, MT:

Frequently Asked Questions: Archivist Salary in Helena

How much does a Archivist make in Helena, MT? ▼
The median archivist salary in Helena, Montana is $55,122 per year, which is 6% below the national median of $58,640. Salaries range from $33,840 (10th percentile) to $88,360 (90th percentile).
How much does a Archivist make per hour in Helena? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $55,122, a archivist in Helena earns approximately $27 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Helena compare to the Montana state average for archivist pay? ▼
Helena's median archivist salary of $55,122 is 1.1% below the Montana state average of $55,708. The local cost of living index is 94% of the national average.
What is the cost of living in Helena, MT? ▼
Helena has a cost of living index of 94% compared to the national average. This means a archivist salary of $55,122 in Helena has more purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a archivist in Helena? ▼
Most archivist positions in Helena 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.