Historians Salary in District of Columbia
In District of Columbia, historians earn $117,960 at the median — $56.71 an hour. The range runs from $59K at the entry level to $158K for experienced workers.
AffordMap analysis of BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (latest release, May 2024)
So what does $118K get you in District of Columbia?
About historians
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, District of Columbia
Entry-level historians (10th percentile) start around $59K. Mid-career wages sit at $118K.Top earners bring in $158K or more - a $99K spread from bottom to top.
Historians pay across states
Median income ranked highest to lowest, compared to the national figure
| State | Median salary | vs. national | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $118K | +59% | 260 |
| North Carolina | $101K | +37% | 30 |
| Maryland | $99K | +34% | 60 |
| Washington | $95K | +28% | 60 |
| Virginia | $94K | +27% | 180 |
| Illinois | $92K | +24% | 30 |
| Connecticut | $89K | +20% | 50 |
| Florida | $85K | +14% | 80 |
| Minnesota | $84K | +14% | N/A |
| Texas | $84K | +14% | 70 |
| California | $83K | +13% | 180 |
| Hawaii | $83K | +11% | 60 |
| Oregon | $77K | +4% | 60 |
| Nevada | $76K | +2% | N/A |
| New Jersey | $75K | +1% | 90 |
Track historians salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when District of Columbia numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
How much do historians make in District of Columbia?
The median is $117,960 a year - that works out to about $56.71 an hour. The range is wide: entry-level workers start around $58,870, and experienced historians can clear $157,980. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $118K enough to live in District of Columbia?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $7,015/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom in this state rents for about $2,246/month (median of metro areas), which eats 32% 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 historians salary go in District of Columbia?
District of Columbia has a Regional Price Parity of 100 (100 is the national average). That's right at the national average. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median historians salary is worth about $117,960 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do historians 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.