Creative & Education Charleston, SC Pop. 150,227

Archivist Salary in Charleston, South Carolina

The median archivist salary in Charleston, SC is $58,640 per year, which is 0.0% above the national median and 12.4% above the South Carolina state average.

City Median
$58,640
vs State Avg
+$6,450
vs National
+$0
Cost of Living
100%

Archivist Pay in Charleston: What to Expect (2026)

Charleston offers a median archivist salary of $58,640, which is $6,450 above the South Carolina state average of $52,190. Compared to the national median of $58,640, Charleston pays above average for this role.

Charleston's cost of living is 100% 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 Charleston spans from $36,000 at the 10th percentile to $94,000 at the 90th percentile — a $58,000 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $38,000, while senior archivists with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $88,000. With a population of 150,227, Charleston is a mid-sized metro with a growing job market.

Archivist Salary in Charleston by Experience

In Charleston, an entry-level archivist earns around $38,000, while experienced professionals earn up to $88,000 per year. The local cost of living index is 100% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$38,000
+$0 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$60,000
+$0 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$88,000
+$0 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Charleston, SC

Percentile Charleston
10th Percentile $36,000
25th Percentile $46,000
Median (50th) $58,640
75th Percentile $76,000
90th Percentile $94,000

Archivist Salary in Other South Carolina Cities

How to Become a Archivist in Charleston

Education

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

Find Archivist Jobs in Charleston

Browse open archivist positions in Charleston, SC:

Frequently Asked Questions: Archivist Salary in Charleston

How much does a Archivist make in Charleston, SC? ▼
The median archivist salary in Charleston, South Carolina is $58,640 per year, which is 0.0% above the national median of $58,640. Salaries range from $36,000 (10th percentile) to $94,000 (90th percentile).
How much does a Archivist make per hour in Charleston? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $58,640, a archivist in Charleston earns approximately $28 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Charleston compare to the South Carolina state average for archivist pay? ▼
Charleston's median archivist salary of $58,640 is 12.4% above the South Carolina state average of $52,190. The local cost of living index is 100% of the national average.
What is the cost of living in Charleston, SC? ▼
Charleston has a cost of living index of 100% compared to the national average. This means a archivist salary of $58,640 in Charleston has more purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a archivist in Charleston? ▼
Most archivist positions in Charleston 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.