Archivist Salary in Washington, DC
Archivists in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro area earn a median $84,590 a year — 31% more than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $64,117 take-home, or $5,343 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median archivist salary in Washington, DC. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$9,780
- Social Security (6.2%)$5,245
- Medicare (1.45%)$1,227
- District of Columbia income tax$4,222
- Take-home pay$64,117
Marginal rate: 22% federal + 8.50% state
The Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro spans District of Columbia, Virginia, Maryland, West Virginia. Pick the state you live in — state income tax follows your residence.
Archivist pay by experience in Washington, DC
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $52,110 | $25.05 | $42,090 | $3,507 |
| 25th percentile | $60,320 | $29.00 | $48,173 | $4,014 |
| Median (50th) | $84,590 | $40.67 | $64,117 | $5,343 |
| 75th percentile | $112,290 | $53.99 | $81,250 | $6,771 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $132,620 | $63.76 | $93,608 | $7,801 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, District of Columbia resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $84,590 buys in Washington, DC
Prices in Washington, DC are 8.9% higher than the U.S. average (housing costs are 1.51× the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median archivist's $64,117 take-home pay has the buying power of $58,886 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Washington, DC has 4.2× the national concentration of archivist jobs — a strong local market for this occupation.
Best-paying cities for archivists, adjusted for cost of living
Washington, DC ranks #1 of 3 metro areas once taxes and local prices are taken into account.
| # | Metro area | Median salary | Take-home | Real value* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Washington, DC | $84,590 | $64,117 | $58,886 |
| 2 | New York, NY | $77,450 | $59,731 | $53,064 |
| 3 | Los Angeles, CA | $70,630 | $55,162 | $48,572 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 3 metros →
Frequently asked questions
How much does a archivist make in Washington, DC?
The median archivist salary in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro area is $84,590 a year, or about $40.67 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $60,320 and $112,290.
What is a archivist’s take-home pay in Washington, DC?
On the median $84,590 salary, a single filer living in District of Columbia takes home about $64,117 a year ($5,343 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $4,222 in District of Columbia taxes in 2026.
Is Washington, DC a good place to work as a archivist?
Pay here is 31% above the national median of $64,550. Local prices are 8.9% above the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $58,886 would in a typical U.S. city. Washington, DC ranks #1 of 3 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a archivist afford rent in Washington, DC?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Washington, DC is $1,990 a month ($2,223 for two bedrooms) — 37% of a median archivist’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
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