Historians Salary in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA
In Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA, historians earn $100,610 at the median — $48.37 an hour. The range runs from $63K at the entry level to $110K for experienced workers. Prices run high here (RPP 111.13), so that salary is closer to $90,534 in real purchasing power. A 2-bedroom apartment runs $2,501/month — about 37.1% of take-home, which is tight.
AffordMap analysis of BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (latest release, May 2024)
So what does $101K get you in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue?
About historians
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA
Entry-level historians (10th percentile) start around $63K. Mid-career wages sit at $101K.Top earners bring in $110K or more - a $48K 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 Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
How much do historians make in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA?
The median is $100,610 a year - that works out to about $48.37 an hour. The range is wide: entry-level workers start around $62,720, and experienced historians can clear $110,280. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $101K enough to live in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $6,597/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $2,501/month (HUD Fair Market Rent), which eats 37.9% 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 Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue?
Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue has a Regional Price Parity of 111.13 (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 historians salary is worth about $90,534 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.