Creative & Education Portland, OR Pop. 652,503

Archivist Salary in Portland, Oregon

The median archivist salary in Portland, OR is $69,195 per year, which is 18.0% above the national median and 7.3% above the Oregon state average.

City Median
$69,195
vs State Avg
+$4,691
vs National
+$10,555
Cost of Living
118%

Archivist Pay in Portland: What to Expect (2026)

Portland offers a median archivist salary of $69,195, which is $4,691 above the Oregon state average of $64,504. Compared to the national median of $58,640, Portland pays above average for this role.

However, Portland's cost of living index is 118%, significantly above the national average. After adjusting for local costs, the $69,195 salary has an effective purchasing power of approximately $58,640. Housing, transportation, and food costs in Portland should be factored into any relocation or job-change decision.

The salary range for archivists in Portland spans from $42,480 at the 10th percentile to $110,920 at the 90th percentile — a $68,440 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $44,840, while senior archivists with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $103,840. As a major metro area with a population of 652,503, Portland typically offers more job opportunities and employer competition, which can drive salaries higher.

Archivist Salary in Portland by Experience

In Portland, an entry-level archivist earns around $44,840, while experienced professionals earn up to $103,840 per year. The local cost of living index is 118% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$44,840
+$6,840 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$70,800
+$10,800 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$103,840
+$15,840 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Portland, OR

Percentile Portland
10th Percentile $42,480
25th Percentile $54,280
Median (50th) $69,195
75th Percentile $89,680
90th Percentile $110,920

Archivist Salary in Other Oregon Cities

How to Become a Archivist in Portland

Education

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

Find Archivist Jobs in Portland

Browse open archivist positions in Portland, OR:

Frequently Asked Questions: Archivist Salary in Portland

How much does a Archivist make in Portland, OR? ▼
The median archivist salary in Portland, Oregon is $69,195 per year, which is 18.0% above the national median of $58,640. Salaries range from $42,480 (10th percentile) to $110,920 (90th percentile).
How much does a Archivist make per hour in Portland? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $69,195, a archivist in Portland earns approximately $33 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Portland compare to the Oregon state average for archivist pay? ▼
Portland's median archivist salary of $69,195 is 7.3% above the Oregon state average of $64,504. The local cost of living index is 118% of the national average.
What is the cost of living in Portland, OR? ▼
Portland has a cost of living index of 118% compared to the national average. This means a archivist salary of $69,195 in Portland has less purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a archivist in Portland? ▼
Most archivist positions in Portland 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.