Creative & Education Seattle, WA Pop. 737,015

Archivist Salary in Seattle, Washington

The median archivist salary in Seattle, WA is $86,787 per year, which is 48.0% above the national median and 28.7% above the Washington state average.

City Median
$86,787
vs State Avg
+$19,351
vs National
+$28,147
Cost of Living
148%

Archivist Pay in Seattle: What to Expect (2026)

Seattle offers a median archivist salary of $86,787, which is $19,351 above the Washington state average of $67,436. Compared to the national median of $58,640, Seattle pays above average for this role.

However, Seattle's cost of living index is 148%, significantly above the national average. After adjusting for local costs, the $86,787 salary has an effective purchasing power of approximately $58,640. Housing, transportation, and food costs in Seattle should be factored into any relocation or job-change decision.

The salary range for archivists in Seattle spans from $53,280 at the 10th percentile to $139,120 at the 90th percentile — a $85,840 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $56,240, while senior archivists with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $130,240. As a major metro area with a population of 737,015, Seattle typically offers more job opportunities and employer competition, which can drive salaries higher.

Archivist Salary in Seattle by Experience

In Seattle, an entry-level archivist earns around $56,240, while experienced professionals earn up to $130,240 per year. The local cost of living index is 148% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$56,240
+$18,240 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$88,800
+$28,800 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$130,240
+$42,240 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Seattle, WA

Percentile Seattle
10th Percentile $53,280
25th Percentile $68,080
Median (50th) $86,787
75th Percentile $112,480
90th Percentile $139,120

Archivist Salary in Other Washington Cities

Bellevue, WA
$89,133
Pop. 151,854
Tacoma, WA
$64,504
Pop. 219,346
Vancouver, WA
$59,813
Pop. 190,915
Spokane, WA
$53,949
Pop. 228,989

How to Become a Archivist in Seattle

Education

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

Find Archivist Jobs in Seattle

Browse open archivist positions in Seattle, WA:

Indeed → LinkedIn → ZipRecruiter → Glassdoor →

Frequently Asked Questions: Archivist Salary in Seattle

How much does a Archivist make in Seattle, WA? ▼
The median archivist salary in Seattle, Washington is $86,787 per year, which is 48.0% above the national median of $58,640. Salaries range from $53,280 (10th percentile) to $139,120 (90th percentile).
How much does a Archivist make per hour in Seattle? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $86,787, a archivist in Seattle earns approximately $42 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Seattle compare to the Washington state average for archivist pay? ▼
Seattle's median archivist salary of $86,787 is 28.7% above the Washington state average of $67,436. The local cost of living index is 148% of the national average.
What is the cost of living in Seattle, WA? ▼
Seattle has a cost of living index of 148% compared to the national average. This means a archivist salary of $86,787 in Seattle has less purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a archivist in Seattle? ▼
Most archivist positions in Seattle 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.