Historians held about 3,500 jobs in 2014. The industries that employed the most historians were as follows:
State and local government, excluding education and hospitals
39%
Federal government, excluding postal service
22
Professional, scientific, and technical services
21
Historians also worked in museums, archives, historical societies, research organizations, and nonprofits. Some worked as consultants for these organizations while being employed by consulting firms, and some worked as independent consultants.
Work Schedules
Most historians work full time during regular business hours. Some work independently and are able to set their own schedules. Historians who work in museums or other institutions open to the public may work evenings or weekends. Some historians may travel to collect artifacts, conduct interviews, or visit an area to better understand its culture and environment.
