Creative & Education Charleston, WV Pop. 48,006

Archivist Salary in Charleston, West Virginia

The median archivist salary in Charleston, WV is $51,603 per year, which is 12% below the national median and 4.8% above the West Virginia state average.

City Median
$51,603
vs State Avg
+$2,345
vs National
$-7,037
Cost of Living
88%

Archivist Pay in Charleston: What to Expect (2026)

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

One of Charleston'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 Charleston an attractive option for archivists seeking strong real-dollar compensation.

The salary range for archivists in Charleston 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. Charleston is a smaller market (pop. 48,006), which may mean fewer openings but also less competition for available positions.

Archivist Salary in Charleston by Experience

In Charleston, 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

Salary Percentiles in Charleston, WV

Percentile Charleston
10th Percentile $31,680
25th Percentile $40,480
Median (50th) $51,603
75th Percentile $66,880
90th Percentile $82,720

Archivist Salary in Other West Virginia Cities

Morgantown, WV
$52,776
Pop. 30,955
Huntington, WV
$48,085
Pop. 46,842
Parkersburg, WV
$46,912
Pop. 29,675
Wheeling, WV
$45,739
Pop. 26,711

How to Become a Archivist in Charleston

Education

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

Find Archivist Jobs in Charleston

Browse open archivist positions in Charleston, WV:

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Frequently Asked Questions: Archivist Salary in Charleston

How much does a Archivist make in Charleston, WV? ▼
The median archivist salary in Charleston, West Virginia 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 Charleston? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $51,603, a archivist in Charleston earns approximately $25 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Charleston compare to the West Virginia state average for archivist pay? ▼
Charleston's median archivist salary of $51,603 is 4.8% above the West Virginia state average of $49,258. The local cost of living index is 88% of the national average.
What is the cost of living in Charleston, WV? ▼
Charleston has a cost of living index of 88% compared to the national average. This means a archivist salary of $51,603 in Charleston has more purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a archivist in Charleston? ▼
Most archivist positions in Charleston 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.