Top Skills for This Career
BLS identifies these as the three highest-rated skills for this detailed occupation. TrustInEd adds the plain-language explanations so visitors understand what each skill means.
Understanding written information and communicating ideas clearly in writing.
Communicating clearly through speech while listening carefully to understand others.
Adjusting effectively when priorities, conditions, tools, or expectations change.
How Do You Prepare for This Career?
BLS describes the typical preparation for this occupation. Requirements can vary by employer, state, licensing rules and individual circumstances.
How to Become One
How to Become a Historian Historians learn to use primary sources, such as letters and photographs, in their research. Historians typically need at least a master’s degree to enter the occupation. Those with a bachelor’s degree in history may qualify for some entry-level positions.
Education
Historians typically need a master’s degree or Ph.D. to enter the occupation. Many historians have a master’s degree in history. Others complete degrees in related fields, such as museum studies, historical preservation, or archival management. In addition to coursework, some programs may require an internship as part of the curriculum. Research positions in the federal government and in academia may require a Ph.D. Students in history Ph.D. programs usually concentrate in a specific area of history. Possible specializations include a particular country or region, period, or field, such as social, political, or cultural history. Candidates with a bachelor’s degree in history may qualify for entry-level positions at museums, historical associations, or other small organizations. Other Experience Prospective historians may benefit from completing an internship. Internships offer an opportunity to learn practical skills, such as handling and preserving artifacts and creating exhibits. They also provide an opportunity to apply academic knowledge in a hands-on setting.
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Pay
the median annual wage for all workers was $50,980.
Job Outlook
Job Outlook Employment of historians is projected to grow 3 percent from 2025 to 2035, about as fast as the average for all occupations. About 300 openings for historians are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire. Employment Organizations that employ historians, such as historical societies and government agencies, often depend on donations or public funding. Thus, employment growth will depend largely on the amount of funding available. Historians Percent change in employment, projected 2025–35 Social scientists and related workers 4% Historians 3% Total, all occupations 3% Note: All Occupations includes all occupations in the U.S. Economy.
What They Do
What Historians Do
Historians research, analyze, interpret, and write about the past by studying historical documents and sources.
Duties
Historians typically do the following:
- Gather historical data from various sources, including archives, books, and newspapers
- Analyze and interpret historical information to determine its authenticity and significance
- Engage with the public through educational programs and presentations
- Archive or preserve materials and artifacts in museums, visitor centers, and historic sites
- Provide advice or guidance on historical topics and preservation issues
- Write reports, articles, and books on findings and theories
Historians conduct research and analysis for governments, businesses, individuals, nonprofits, historical associations, and other organizations. They use a variety of sources in their work, including government and institutional records, newspapers, photographs, interviews, films, and unpublished manuscripts such as personal diaries, letters, and other primary source documents. They also may process, catalog, and archive these documents.
Many historians present and interpret past events to inform or build upon public knowledge. They often trace and build a historical profile of a particular person, area, idea, organization, or event. Once their research is complete, they present their findings through publications, exhibits, and educational programs.
In government, some historians conduct research to provide information on specific events or groups. For example, they may write about the history of a particular government agency, activity, or program, such as military operations or space missions.
Historians also may work with archivists, curators, and museum workers to preserve artifacts and explain the historical significance of a wide variety of subjects, such as historic buildings, religious groups, and battlegrounds.
Work Environment
Work Environment
Historians held about 3,800 jobs in 2025. The largest employers of historians were as follows:
| Professional, scientific, and technical services | 24% |
| Federal government, excluding postal service | 20 |
| Local government, excluding education and hospitals | 19 |
| State government, excluding education and hospitals | 14 |
Historians work in museums, archives, historical societies, and research organizations. Some work as consultants.
Some historians may travel to carry out research, conduct interviews, or visit an area to better understand its culture and environment.
Work Schedules
Most historians work full time during regular business hours. Some work independently and are able to set their own schedules. Historians who work in museums or other institutions open to the public may work evenings or weekends.
Important Qualities
The following are examples of qualities that are important for these workers to perform their duties. For more information, visit the Employment Projections (EP) skills data page. Analytical skills. Historians must be able to examine various types of historical resources and draw clear and logical conclusions based on their findings. Communication skills. Historians must communicate effectively when requesting information, collaborating with colleagues, and presenting their research to the public through written documents and presentations. Foreign language skills. Historians may need to review primary source materials that are not in English. Knowledge of other languages can be useful during their research. Problem-solving skills. Historians try to answer questions about the past. They may investigate something unknown about a past idea, event, or person; decipher historical information; or identify how the past has affected the present. Detail oriented. Historians must carefully examine and process information from a large number of historical sources. They also must be accurate and precise when describing past events.
More Information
More Information, Including Links to O*NET
Learn more about historians by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
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Start with ED →Career data and occupational profile text are sourced from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook and Employment Projections program. Education requirements are typical entry-level requirements and may vary by employer, state, occupation or individual circumstance. View the official BLS profile.