Archivist - overview

As an archivist, you’ll use your knowledge of the past, attention to detail and analytical skills to manage archival materials and share knowledge with the world. Read on to learn more about the field, what your job might involve and what you’ll need to work on to build a career.

Learn what the role involves below.

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What does an archivist do?

Archivists use their skills to manage, preserve and share valuable materials or information. Roles can range from self-employed to senior positions. You could go on to focus on a specialist area or branch out into managerial positions.

Your responsibilities could involve work on historic artefacts and rare documents, data management for governments or businesses, advising on archival strategy or managing other archivists. Archivists are valued for their organisational skills and eye for detail. They use their passion for preservation to care for the past and share knowledge, physically or digitally. You’ll be able to enjoy the satisfaction of helping historians and the public access the materials they need.

What will your days involve?

Daily activities can include:

  • Managing the correct storage and preservation of materials
  • Dating, cataloguing and indexing materials
  • Assisting customers in using the archives
  • Conducting archival research
  • Arranging the buying or donating of materials
  • Managing loans of materials or documents
  • Preserving fragile items

FAQs

How much can you earn as an archivist?

The average salary for an archivist in the UK is £23,920. Graduates start at around £25,500.

Does an archivist role involve travel in the UK or overseas?

You might travel as an archivist to attend conferences, training courses or work on international projects through larger employers.

Can you work from home as an archivist?

You might be able to complete administrative tasks from home, but you’ll often be expected to work on-site with records or storage systems.

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