Creative & Education Arlington, VA Pop. 238,643

Archivist Salary in Arlington, Virginia

The median archivist salary in Arlington, VA is $77,405 per year, which is 32.0% above the national median and 26.9% above the Virginia state average.

City Median
$77,405
vs State Avg
+$16,419
vs National
+$18,765
Cost of Living
132%

Archivist Pay in Arlington: What to Expect (2026)

Arlington offers a median archivist salary of $77,405, which is $16,419 above the Virginia state average of $60,986. Compared to the national median of $58,640, Arlington pays above average for this role.

However, Arlington's cost of living index is 132%, significantly above the national average. After adjusting for local costs, the $77,405 salary has an effective purchasing power of approximately $58,640. Housing, transportation, and food costs in Arlington should be factored into any relocation or job-change decision.

The salary range for archivists in Arlington spans from $47,520 at the 10th percentile to $124,080 at the 90th percentile — a $76,560 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $50,160, while senior archivists with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $116,160. With a population of 238,643, Arlington is a mid-sized metro with a growing job market.

Archivist Salary in Arlington by Experience

In Arlington, an entry-level archivist earns around $50,160, while experienced professionals earn up to $116,160 per year. The local cost of living index is 132% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$50,160
+$12,160 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$79,200
+$19,200 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$116,160
+$28,160 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Arlington, VA

Percentile Arlington
10th Percentile $47,520
25th Percentile $60,720
Median (50th) $77,405
75th Percentile $100,320
90th Percentile $124,080

Archivist Salary in Other Virginia Cities

Virginia Beach, VA
$59,813
Pop. 449,974
Richmond, VA
$58,640
Pop. 226,610
Chesapeake, VA
$57,467
Pop. 249,422
Norfolk, VA
$56,294
Pop. 238,005

How to Become a Archivist in Arlington

Education

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

Find Archivist Jobs in Arlington

Browse open archivist positions in Arlington, VA:

Indeed → LinkedIn → ZipRecruiter → Glassdoor →

Frequently Asked Questions: Archivist Salary in Arlington

How much does a Archivist make in Arlington, VA? ▼
The median archivist salary in Arlington, Virginia is $77,405 per year, which is 32.0% above the national median of $58,640. Salaries range from $47,520 (10th percentile) to $124,080 (90th percentile).
How much does a Archivist make per hour in Arlington? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $77,405, a archivist in Arlington earns approximately $37 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Arlington compare to the Virginia state average for archivist pay? ▼
Arlington's median archivist salary of $77,405 is 26.9% above the Virginia state average of $60,986. The local cost of living index is 132% of the national average.
What is the cost of living in Arlington, VA? ▼
Arlington has a cost of living index of 132% compared to the national average. This means a archivist salary of $77,405 in Arlington has less purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a archivist in Arlington? ▼
Most archivist positions in Arlington 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.