Top 15 cities for historians by average salary
| Washington, DC | $115,390 |
|---|---|
| Minneapolis, MN | $113,760 |
| Boston, MA | $113,270 |
| Sacramento, CA | $103,980 |
| Honolulu, HI | $101,930 |
| Los Angeles, CA | $99,120 |
| San Francisco, CA | $98,140 |
| San Antonio, TX | $96,070 |
| Philadelphia, PA | $91,480 |
| Chicago, IL | $86,480 |
| Dayton, OH | $85,960 |
| New York, NY | $81,980 |
| Montgomery, AL | $78,110 |
| New Orleans, LA | $78,040 |
| Atlanta, GA | $72,830 |
Map: Historians salary by metro area
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Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors.
Historians salary by state
Maryland pays historians the most statewide, $115,840 a year on average. Statewide columns cover every employer in the state; city columns cover the metro areas we publish.
| State | Statewide average | Statewide median | Jobs | Metros | Highest city average | Lowest city average |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Maryland | $115,840 | $120,580 | 50 | 0 | n/a | n/a |
| Washington, D.C. | $113,140 | $118,290 | 250 | 1 | $115,390 | $115,390 |
| Massachusetts | $112,310 | $121,710 | n/a | 1 | $113,270 | $113,270 |
| Minnesota | $111,290 | $103,040 | 50 | 1 | $113,760 | $113,760 |
| Virginia | $107,970 | $101,920 | 180 | 0 | n/a | n/a |
| Hawaii | $101,310 | $92,520 | 70 | 1 | $101,930 | $101,930 |
| California | $100,750 | $97,420 | 210 | 3 | $103,980 | $98,140 |
| Oregon | $96,360 | $99,560 | 40 | 0 | n/a | n/a |
| Washington | $96,270 | $99,720 | 30 | 0 | n/a | n/a |
| Illinois | $90,280 | $89,670 | n/a | 1 | $86,480 | $86,480 |
| Nevada | $89,870 | $80,140 | n/a | 0 | n/a | n/a |
| Nebraska | $83,380 | $70,050 | 30 | 0 | n/a | n/a |
| Kansas | $79,460 | $72,600 | 40 | 0 | n/a | n/a |
| Louisiana | $78,840 | $80,620 | 60 | 1 | $78,040 | $78,040 |
| Connecticut | $78,620 | $66,770 | 40 | 0 | n/a | n/a |
| New Jersey | $78,220 | $77,080 | 130 | 0 | n/a | n/a |
| Pennsylvania | $78,210 | $71,970 | 70 | 1 | $91,480 | $91,480 |
| Alabama | $77,820 | $72,490 | 60 | 1 | $78,110 | $78,110 |
| Texas | $77,250 | $78,240 | 130 | 1 | $96,070 | $96,070 |
| Florida | $76,700 | $74,740 | 110 | 0 | n/a | n/a |
| Georgia | $74,570 | $63,840 | 110 | 1 | $72,830 | $72,830 |
| North Carolina | $74,300 | $73,440 | 120 | 1 | $60,220 | $60,220 |
| New Mexico | $72,850 | $66,790 | 40 | 0 | n/a | n/a |
| Tennessee | $71,860 | $71,080 | 40 | 0 | n/a | n/a |
| Missouri | $70,360 | $64,230 | 50 | 0 | n/a | n/a |
| Indiana | $69,780 | $63,770 | 30 | 0 | n/a | n/a |
| New York | $68,200 | $62,960 | 410 | 4 | $81,980 | $60,150 |
| Michigan | $68,190 | $62,920 | 80 | 0 | n/a | n/a |
| Ohio | $68,170 | $60,350 | n/a | 1 | $85,960 | $85,960 |
| Kentucky | $64,840 | $63,530 | 50 | 0 | n/a | n/a |
| South Carolina | $61,470 | $52,120 | 60 | 0 | n/a | n/a |
| Oklahoma | $61,060 | $50,980 | 50 | 0 | n/a | n/a |
| Wisconsin | $53,030 | $45,810 | 50 | 0 | n/a | n/a |
| Mississippi | $50,110 | $46,010 | 90 | 0 | n/a | n/a |
| Utah | $44,470 | $33,840 | 80 | 1 | $39,100 | $39,100 |
Historians salary in every city we cover
Sort by any column. Each city links to its pay range, take-home pay and cost of living.
| Metro area | Average | Median | Hourly | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Washington, DC | $115,390 | $115,690 | $55.48 | 410 |
| Minneapolis, MN | $113,760 | $116,520 | $54.69 | 40 |
| Boston, MA | $113,270 | $121,710 | $54.46 | n/a |
| Sacramento, CA | $103,980 | $97,420 | $49.99 | 40 |
| Honolulu, HI | $101,930 | $95,470 | $49.01 | 70 |
| Los Angeles, CA | $99,120 | $98,210 | $47.65 | 50 |
| San Francisco, CA | $98,140 | $88,790 | $47.18 | 50 |
| San Antonio, TX | $96,070 | $101,900 | $46.19 | 40 |
| Philadelphia, PA | $91,480 | $81,470 | $43.98 | 40 |
| Chicago, IL | $86,480 | $89,670 | $41.58 | n/a |
| Dayton, OH | $85,960 | $58,640 | $41.33 | 30 |
| New York, NY | $81,980 | $80,400 | $39.42 | 180 |
| Montgomery, AL | $78,110 | $76,400 | $37.56 | 30 |
| New Orleans, LA | $78,040 | $82,400 | $37.52 | 40 |
| Atlanta, GA | $72,830 | $61,640 | $35.02 | 60 |
| Rochester, NY | $64,740 | $46,630 | $31.12 | 40 |
| Buffalo, NY | $60,860 | $68,010 | $29.26 | 40 |
| Charlotte, NC | $60,220 | $45,530 | $28.95 | 30 |
| Albany, NY | $60,150 | $48,610 | $28.92 | 60 |
| Salt Lake City, UT | $39,100 | $33,840 | $18.80 | 80 |
Related jobs
- Clinical and Counseling PsychologistsU.S. average $112,750
- School PsychologistsU.S. average $99,160
- EconomistsU.S. average $142,130
- Survey ResearchersU.S. average $79,580
- Urban and Regional PlannersU.S. average $94,750
- Anthropologists and ArcheologistsU.S. average $75,620
- Social Scientists and Related Workers, All OtherU.S. average $107,690
- Psychologists, All OtherU.S. average $111,210
Historians salary: questions
Where do historians make the most money?
In Washington, DC, with an average of $115,390 a year, among the 20 metro areas we cover.
What is the average historians salary in the U.S.?
$81,240 a year nationwide (BLS OEWS national estimates, May 2025); the median is $76,750, so half of historians earn more than that and half less.
What salary should historians ask for?
Start from the figures for your city: the middle half of historians nationwide earn between $57,290 (25th percentile) and $99,990 (75th percentile). Newer workers usually start near the 25th percentile and experienced ones can ask for the 75th; each city page shows the local range. See how to read salary percentiles.
Which state pays historians the most?
Maryland, with a statewide average of $115,840 a year (BLS state estimates, May 2025).
Where is historians pay the lowest?
Salt Lake City, UT, at $39,100 a year on average. Lower pay often comes with lower prices: check the cost of living on each city page.
Sources and how to read this page
- Wages: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 estimates for metropolitan areas. SOC code 19-3093.
- U.S. and statewide figures: BLS OEWS national and state estimates, May 2025, every employer including rural areas.
- Cost of living: Bureau of Economic Analysis regional price parities (RPP), 2024; 100 = U.S. average.
Read the full methodology. Spotted an error? Tell us.