Creative & Education Madison, WI Pop. 269,840

Archivist Salary in Madison, Wisconsin

The median archivist salary in Madison, WI is $58,640 per year, which is 0.0% above the national median and 8.7% above the Wisconsin state average.

City Median
$58,640
vs State Avg
+$4,691
vs National
+$0
Cost of Living
100%

Archivist Pay in Madison: What to Expect (2026)

Madison offers a median archivist salary of $58,640, which is $4,691 above the Wisconsin state average of $53,949. Compared to the national median of $58,640, Madison pays above average for this role.

Madison's cost of living is 100% of the national average, meaning salary figures here closely reflect actual purchasing power. This makes direct comparisons to other cities straightforward.

The salary range for archivists in Madison spans from $36,000 at the 10th percentile to $94,000 at the 90th percentile — a $58,000 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $38,000, while senior archivists with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $88,000. With a population of 269,840, Madison is a mid-sized metro with a growing job market.

Archivist Salary in Madison by Experience

In Madison, an entry-level archivist earns around $38,000, while experienced professionals earn up to $88,000 per year. The local cost of living index is 100% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$38,000
+$0 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$60,000
+$0 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$88,000
+$0 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Madison, WI

Percentile Madison
10th Percentile $36,000
25th Percentile $46,000
Median (50th) $58,640
75th Percentile $76,000
90th Percentile $94,000

Archivist Salary in Other Wisconsin Cities

How to Become a Archivist in Madison

Education

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

Find Archivist Jobs in Madison

Browse open archivist positions in Madison, WI:

Frequently Asked Questions: Archivist Salary in Madison

How much does a Archivist make in Madison, WI? ▼
The median archivist salary in Madison, Wisconsin is $58,640 per year, which is 0.0% above the national median of $58,640. Salaries range from $36,000 (10th percentile) to $94,000 (90th percentile).
How much does a Archivist make per hour in Madison? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $58,640, a archivist in Madison earns approximately $28 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Madison compare to the Wisconsin state average for archivist pay? ▼
Madison's median archivist salary of $58,640 is 8.7% above the Wisconsin state average of $53,949. The local cost of living index is 100% of the national average.
What is the cost of living in Madison, WI? ▼
Madison has a cost of living index of 100% compared to the national average. This means a archivist salary of $58,640 in Madison has more purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a archivist in Madison? ▼
Most archivist positions in Madison 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.