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
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. PayThe median annual wage for historians was $76,750 in May 2025. 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. State & Area Data Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for historians. Similar Occupations Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of historians with similar occupations. 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.
Your Next Step
Compare colleges and education options that can support the typical entry-level education for this career.
Pay
The median annual wage for historians was $76,750 in May 2025. 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. State & Area Data Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for historians. Similar Occupations Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of historians with similar occupations. 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.
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. State & Area Data Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for historians. Similar Occupations Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of historians with similar occupations. 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.
What They Do
Historians research, analyze, interpret, and write about the past by studying historical documents and sources.
Work Environment
Historians work in museums, archives, historical societies, and research organizations. Historians may travel to carry out research. Most historians work full time.
How to Become a Historian
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.
Pay
The median annual wage for historians was $76,750 in May 2025.
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.
State & Area Data
Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for historians.
Similar Occupations
Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of historians with similar occupations.
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.
Work Environment
Historians work in museums, archives, historical societies, and research organizations. Historians may travel to carry out research. Most historians work full time.
How to Become a Historian
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.
Pay
The median annual wage for historians was $76,750 in May 2025.
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.
State & Area Data
Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for historians.
Similar Occupations
Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of historians with similar occupations.
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.
State & Area Data
Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for historians.
Similar Occupations
Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of historians with similar occupations.
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.
More Information
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.