Archivists Salary in San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA
The median pay for a archivists in San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA is $74,250/year ($35.7/hour), per BLS data. The range runs from $45K at the entry level to $126K for experienced workers. Prices run high here (RPP 115.61), so that salary is closer to $64,225 in real purchasing power. A 2-bedroom apartment runs $3,604/month — about 74.3% of take-home, which is tight.
AffordMap analysis of BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (latest release, May 2024)
So what does $74K get you in San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont?
About archivists
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA
Entry-level archivists (10th percentile) start around $45K. Mid-career wages sit at $74K.Top earners bring in $126K or more - a $81K spread from bottom to top.
Archivists pay across states
Median income ranked highest to lowest, compared to the national figure
| State | Median salary | vs. national | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $92K | +50% | 190 |
| New Mexico | $84K | +36% | N/A |
| Maryland | $75K | +22% | 540 |
| New York | $75K | +22% | 900 |
| Rhode Island | $74K | +20% | 40 |
| Virginia | $72K | +17% | 120 |
| Massachusetts | $72K | +17% | 320 |
| Washington | $70K | +14% | 630 |
| Illinois | $70K | +13% | 150 |
| New Jersey | $67K | +9% | 60 |
| Nevada | $67K | +9% | 30 |
| Oregon | $64K | +4% | 60 |
| Minnesota | $63K | +3% | 80 |
| California | $62K | +1% | 860 |
| Wisconsin | $61K | -2% | 180 |
Track archivists salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
How much do archivists make in San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA?
The median is $74,250 a year - that works out to about $35.7 an hour. The range is wide: entry-level workers start around $45,100, and experienced archivists can clear $125,820. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $74K enough to live in San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $4,798/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $3,604/month (HUD Fair Market Rent), which eats 75.1% of your paycheck. That's above the 30% rule of thumb - housing will be a stretch at the median salary, though you can manage with roommates or a smaller place.
How far does a archivists salary go in San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont?
San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont has a Regional Price Parity of 115.61 (100 is the national average). Prices are above average here, so your dollar buys less than the same salary would in a cheaper metro. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median archivists salary is worth about $64,225 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do archivists get paid the most?
The table above ranks every state by median pay for this role. Keep in mind that the highest-paying states tend to have the highest costs of living, so the top salary doesn't always mean the most money in your pocket.