Historians research, analyze, interpret, and present the past by studying historical documents and sources.
Historians work in government agencies, museums, archives, historical societies, research organizations, nonprofits, and consulting firms. Some must travel to carry out research. Most work full time.
Although most historian positions require a master's degree, some research positions require a doctoral degree. Candidates with a bachelor's degree may qualify for some entry-level positions, but most will find jobs in different fields.
The median annual wage for historians was $55,800 in May 2015.
Employment of historians is projected to grow 2 percent from 2014 to 2024, slower than the average for all occupations. Competition for jobs may be very strong because there are a small number of positions relative to the number of people seeking jobs in the field.
Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for historians.
Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of historians with similar occupations.
Learn more about historians by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.