Explore This Path

Historian

💰 Earn $73K-$129K

📚 Master Degree

⏱️ 48 Month Training

📈 3% Job Growth

Uncover stories of the past through diverse historical sources and artifacts.
Shape our understanding of history by analyzing and interpreting past events.
Discover unique insights from diaries, letters, and rare manuscripts.

What Historians DoResearch, analyze, record, and interpret the past as recorded in sources, such as government and institutional records, newspapers and other periodicals, photographs, interviews, films, electronic media, and unpublished manuscripts, such as personal diaries and letters.

Conserve and preserve manuscripts, records, and other artifacts.
Gather historical data from sources such as archives, court records, diaries, news files, and photographs, as well as from books, pamphlets, and periodicals.
Conduct historical research as a basis for the identification, conservation, and reconstruction of historic places and materials.
Research and prepare manuscripts in support of public programming and the development of exhibits at historic sites, museums, libraries, and archives.
Present historical accounts in terms of individuals or social, ethnic, political, economic, or geographic groupings.

Historians Education, Salary, and Growth

Minimum EducationMaster Degree

Career ProspectsGood (Increasing by 1-5%)

Training TimeOver 4 years

Job Openings300 Annually

Median earnings

California Median

$97,420

Most earn within this range

median ▾

$73K25th percentile

$129K75th percentile

National Median

$76,750

Most earn within this range

median ▾

$57K25th percentile

$100K75th percentile

Only you can decide how much you need to earn — but knowing what it actually costs to live in your area can help. The Family Budget Calculator can guide you.

Real Talk Reel

We've curated a playlist for you to get a glimpse into a day in the life of this career.

@historyonholiday

Is This Career Right For You?

YOU Like

Thinking and problem solving

you value

Accomplishing things
Having freedom
Receiving recognition

you are skilled in

Monitoring
Critical Thinking
Reading Comprehension
Active Listening
Writing
Science

Go Deeper: Historians Explained

HistorianExplore career pathways, key skills, and what each role has to offer.

How Do You Train for This Career?

Learn about the education and training paths that can lead to this career — and what to expect from each one.

Bachelor's DegreeA bachelor's degree typically results in increased knowledge about a variety of academic subjects, specialized knowledge in a focused field of study, and is considered the foundational qualification for many careers.

🎓 College

⏱️ Finish in 4-5+ years

Associate's DegreeAn associate's degree typically provides graduates with foundational knowledge and skills for entry-level jobs in the graduate's industry, or serves as a stepping stone towards further education.

🎓 College

⏱️ Finish in 2-3 years

Vocational SchoolA vocational school typically equips students with specialized skills and practical training in specific trades or occupations, enhancing their employability and providing direct pathways to relevant careers.

🎓 Skills-Focused

⏱️ Finish in 6 months - 2 years

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