SOC 19-3093 · May 2025 · United States
Historians
National figures, with pay broken out by state and metro area
The median wage for Historians across the United States is $76,750 per year, measured over 3,450 jobs. The highest state median is in Massachusetts, at $121,710.
National wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Where the pay is highest for Historians
Pay for this occupation varies by 259.7% between the highest and lowest paying states with published data. Massachusetts pays $121,710 and Utah pays $33,840.
| # | State | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Massachusetts | $121,710 | — | |
| 2 | Maryland | $120,580 | 50 | |
| 3 | District of Columbia | $118,290 | 250 | |
| 4 | Minnesota | $103,040 | 50 | |
| 5 | Virginia | $101,920 | 180 | |
| 6 | Washington | $99,720 | 30 | |
| 7 | Oregon | $99,560 | 40 | |
| 8 | California | $97,420 | 210 | |
| 9 | Hawaii | $92,520 | 70 | |
| 10 | Illinois | $89,670 | — |
States with the most Historians jobs
| # | State | Jobs | Median | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | New York | 410 | $62,960 | |
| 2 | District of Columbia | 250 | $118,290 | |
| 3 | California | 210 | $97,420 | |
| 4 | Virginia | 180 | $101,920 | |
| 5 | New Jersey | 130 | $77,080 | |
| 6 | Texas | 130 | $78,240 | |
| 7 | North Carolina | 120 | $73,440 | |
| 8 | Florida | 110 | $74,740 | |
| 9 | Georgia | 110 | $63,840 | |
| 10 | Mississippi | 90 | $46,010 |
Top-paying metro areas
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Boston | $121,710 | — |
| 2 | Minneapolis | $116,520 | 40 |
| 3 | Washington | $115,690 | 410 |
| 4 | San Antonio | $101,900 | 40 |
| 5 | Los Angeles | $98,210 | 50 |
| 6 | Sacramento | $97,420 | 40 |
| 7 | Urban Honolulu | $95,470 | 70 |
| 8 | Chicago | $89,670 | — |
| 9 | San Francisco | $88,790 | 50 |
| 10 | New Orleans | $82,400 | 40 |
Source and methodology
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 Salary Explorer is an independent project. It is not affiliated with, or endorsed by, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics or any government agency. Full methodology.
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