Creative & Education Memphis, TN Pop. 633,104

Archivist Salary in Memphis, Tennessee

The median archivist salary in Memphis, TN is $50,430 per year, which is 14% below the national median and 3.4% below the Tennessee state average.

City Median
$50,430
vs State Avg
$-1,760
vs National
$-8,210
Cost of Living
86%

Archivist Pay in Memphis: What to Expect (2026)

Memphis offers a median archivist salary of $50,430, which is $1,760 below the Tennessee state average of $52,190. Compared to the national median of $58,640, Memphis pays below the national benchmark for this role.

One of Memphis's biggest advantages is its low cost of living at 86% of the national average. This means the $50,430 salary stretches further here — equivalent to roughly $58,640 in an average-cost city. This makes Memphis an attractive option for archivists seeking strong real-dollar compensation.

The salary range for archivists in Memphis spans from $30,960 at the 10th percentile to $80,840 at the 90th percentile — a $49,880 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $32,680, while senior archivists with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $75,680. As a major metro area with a population of 633,104, Memphis typically offers more job opportunities and employer competition, which can drive salaries higher.

Archivist Salary in Memphis by Experience

In Memphis, an entry-level archivist earns around $32,680, while experienced professionals earn up to $75,680 per year. The local cost of living index is 86% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$32,680
$-5,320 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$51,600
$-8,400 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$75,680
$-12,320 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Memphis, TN

Percentile Memphis
10th Percentile $30,960
25th Percentile $39,560
Median (50th) $50,430
75th Percentile $65,360
90th Percentile $80,840

Archivist Salary in Other Tennessee Cities

Nashville, TN
$58,640
Pop. 689,447
Murfreesboro, TN
$53,949
Pop. 152,769
Knoxville, TN
$51,603
Pop. 190,740
Chattanooga, TN
$51,603
Pop. 181,099

How to Become a Archivist in Memphis

Education

Most archivist positions require a master's degree. Memphis 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 Memphis may vary based on local industry and population growth.

Find Archivist Jobs in Memphis

Browse open archivist positions in Memphis, TN:

Indeed → LinkedIn → ZipRecruiter → Glassdoor →

Frequently Asked Questions: Archivist Salary in Memphis

How much does a Archivist make in Memphis, TN? ▼
The median archivist salary in Memphis, Tennessee is $50,430 per year, which is 14% below the national median of $58,640. Salaries range from $30,960 (10th percentile) to $80,840 (90th percentile).
How much does a Archivist make per hour in Memphis? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $50,430, a archivist in Memphis earns approximately $24 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Memphis compare to the Tennessee state average for archivist pay? ▼
Memphis's median archivist salary of $50,430 is 3.4% below the Tennessee state average of $52,190. The local cost of living index is 86% of the national average.
What is the cost of living in Memphis, TN? ▼
Memphis has a cost of living index of 86% compared to the national average. This means a archivist salary of $50,430 in Memphis has more purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a archivist in Memphis? ▼
Most archivist positions in Memphis 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.