Archivist Salary in Chattanooga, TN: $51,603 (2026)

Archivist Pay in Chattanooga: What to Expect (2026)

Chattanooga offers a median archivist salary of $51,603, which is $587 below the Tennessee state average of $52,190. Compared to the national median of $58,640, Chattanooga pays below the national benchmark for this role.

One of Chattanooga's biggest advantages is its low cost of living at 88% of the national average. This means the $51,603 salary stretches further here — equivalent to roughly $58,640 in an average-cost city. This makes Chattanooga an attractive option for archivists seeking strong real-dollar compensation.

The salary range for archivists in Chattanooga spans from $31,680 at the 10th percentile to $82,720 at the 90th percentile — a $51,040 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $33,440, while senior archivists with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $77,440. With a population of 181,099, Chattanooga is a mid-sized metro with a growing job market.

Archivist Salary in Chattanooga by Experience

In Chattanooga, an entry-level archivist earns around $33,440, while experienced professionals earn up to $77,440 per year. The local cost of living index is 88% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)

$33,440

$-4,560 vs national

Mid Level (3-7 yrs)

$52,800

$-7,200 vs national

Senior Level (8+ yrs)

$77,440

$-10,560 vs national

Percentile	Chattanooga	TN State	National
10th Percentile	$31,680	$32,040	$36,000
25th Percentile	$40,480	$40,940	$46,000
Median (50th)	$51,603	$52,190	$58,640
75th Percentile	$66,880	$67,640	$76,000
90th Percentile	$82,720	$83,660	$94,000

Percentile

Chattanooga

10th Percentile

$31,680

25th Percentile

$40,480

Median (50th)

$51,603

75th Percentile

$66,880

90th Percentile

$82,720

How to Become a Archivist in Chattanooga

Education

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

Frequently Asked Questions: Archivist Salary in Chattanooga

How much does a Archivist make in Chattanooga, TN? ▼

The median archivist salary in Chattanooga, Tennessee is $51,603 per year, which is 12% below the national median of $58,640. Salaries range from $31,680 (10th percentile) to $82,720 (90th percentile).

How much does a Archivist make per hour in Chattanooga? ▼

Based on the median annual salary of $51,603, a archivist in Chattanooga earns approximately $25 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.

How does Chattanooga compare to the Tennessee state average for archivist pay? ▼

Chattanooga's median archivist salary of $51,603 is 1.1% below the Tennessee state average of $52,190. The local cost of living index is 88% of the national average.

What is the cost of living in Chattanooga, TN? ▼

Chattanooga has a cost of living index of 88% compared to the national average. This means a archivist salary of $51,603 in Chattanooga has more purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.

What qualifications do I need to become a archivist in Chattanooga? ▼

Most archivist positions in Chattanooga 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.

Archivist Salary in Chattanooga, Tennessee