Archivist : Salary and conditions

• Range of typical starting salaries for qualified entrants: £21,000 - £30,000.
• Range of typical salaries at senior level/with experience, e.g. after 10-15 years in the role: £30,000 - £55,000.
• Local authority and civil service grades are frequently tied to scales. Business repositories, central government and universities may offer higher salaries.
• Archives offering a public service may require shift work or flexible working, especially in local government archives, where record offices often share opening hours with local libraries.
• Working conditions for archivists vary. Some record offices are comfortable and modern with good facilities, but in others staff may have to share office space in less comfortable conditions.
• Some tasks are physically demanding and you may have to work in cramped and dirty conditions, particularly when rescuing records from basements or disused buildings.
• Many archivists spend a large proportion of their time working at a computer.
• Jobs are available in most large towns and cities and some rural areas. However, as posts are spread in small numbers throughout the UK and Ireland, you may need to be geographically flexible. A high proportion of specialist repositories are in London.
• Many entrants work initially on temporary and fixed-term contracts, so geographical mobility may be required.
• There may be opportunities for self-employment and contract work, especially in the religious, charities and business sectors and with private individuals and trusts.
• Career breaks, part-time and flexible-working are possible within the civil service, local government and public sector organisations.
• Men are currently under-represented in the profession, with around 70% of archivists being women.
• Increasing user demands and limited resources may occasionally make the work pressurised, but generally you are responsible for organising your work schedule in the way that suits you best.
• Travel within a working day and overnight absence from home may occasionally be required. There may be opportunities for international travel or secondments and posts abroad.

Salary data from the Archives and Records Association (ARA) . Figures are intended as a guide only.