Creative & Education Aberdeen, SD Pop. 28,324

Archivist Salary in Aberdeen, South Dakota

The median archivist salary in Aberdeen, SD is $49,258 per year, which is 16% below the national median and 4.5% below the South Dakota state average.

City Median
$49,258
vs State Avg
$-2,345
vs National
$-9,382
Cost of Living
84%

Archivist Pay in Aberdeen: What to Expect (2026)

Aberdeen offers a median archivist salary of $49,258, which is $2,345 below the South Dakota state average of $51,603. Compared to the national median of $58,640, Aberdeen pays below the national benchmark for this role.

One of Aberdeen's biggest advantages is its low cost of living at 84% of the national average. This means the $49,258 salary stretches further here — equivalent to roughly $58,640 in an average-cost city. This makes Aberdeen an attractive option for archivists seeking strong real-dollar compensation.

The salary range for archivists in Aberdeen spans from $30,240 at the 10th percentile to $78,960 at the 90th percentile — a $48,720 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $31,920, while senior archivists with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $73,920. Aberdeen is a smaller market (pop. 28,324), which may mean fewer openings but also less competition for available positions.

Archivist Salary in Aberdeen by Experience

In Aberdeen, an entry-level archivist earns around $31,920, while experienced professionals earn up to $73,920 per year. The local cost of living index is 84% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$31,920
$-6,080 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$50,400
$-9,600 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$73,920
$-14,080 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Aberdeen, SD

Percentile Aberdeen
10th Percentile $30,240
25th Percentile $38,640
Median (50th) $49,258
75th Percentile $63,840
90th Percentile $78,960

Archivist Salary in Other South Dakota Cities

Sioux Falls, SD
$53,949
Pop. 192,517
Rapid City, SD
$52,776
Pop. 74,703
Brookings, SD
$50,430
Pop. 24,194
Mitchell, SD
$48,085
Pop. 15,660

How to Become a Archivist in Aberdeen

Education

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

Find Archivist Jobs in Aberdeen

Browse open archivist positions in Aberdeen, SD:

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Frequently Asked Questions: Archivist Salary in Aberdeen

How much does a Archivist make in Aberdeen, SD? ▼
The median archivist salary in Aberdeen, South Dakota is $49,258 per year, which is 16% below the national median of $58,640. Salaries range from $30,240 (10th percentile) to $78,960 (90th percentile).
How much does a Archivist make per hour in Aberdeen? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $49,258, a archivist in Aberdeen earns approximately $24 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Aberdeen compare to the South Dakota state average for archivist pay? ▼
Aberdeen's median archivist salary of $49,258 is 4.5% below the South Dakota state average of $51,603. The local cost of living index is 84% of the national average.
What is the cost of living in Aberdeen, SD? ▼
Aberdeen has a cost of living index of 84% compared to the national average. This means a archivist salary of $49,258 in Aberdeen has more purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a archivist in Aberdeen? ▼
Most archivist positions in Aberdeen 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.