Archivist

O*NET: Archivists·25-4011.00

The Verdict:AI streamlines digital cataloging, metadata, and research, handling routine tasks effectively. Archivists provide irreplaceable expertise in authenticating materials, shaping access policies, supervising teams, and guiding researchers with contextual insight. The profession adapts to tools but retains human curatorship amid rising demand for historical preservation.

Resilience Score

/100

Resilient

Score tiers

Highly Resilient81–100

Resilient61–80

Moderate Risk41–60

High Risk21–40

Critical Risk0–20

How is this scored?

Task Resilience

How much of this role's daily work remains beyond AI and robotic automation.

30% of score

Physical Presence

The degree to which this job needs a human present — hands-on, in the field, or in the room.

20% of score

Human Necessity

How important the unique human edge is — for trust, accountability, or judgment.

15% of score

Regulatory Shield

How strong the legal requirement is for a human in this job (by law, licensing, or credentials).

13% of score

Technological Maturity

How far AI remains from performing this role's core functions.

10% of score

Displacement Evidence

The volume of jobs in this field being eliminated by AI or automation right now.

12% of score

Score last updated: February 2026Full methodology

Avg Salary

Median annual wage from the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2024 release.

$62k

Job Growth (10yr)

Projected change in total number of jobs (not salary) from 2024–2034. Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics Employment Projections.

+3.8%

AI Exposure

Percentage of this role's analyzed tasks that AI can handle autonomously or nearly so. 1 of 14 tasks are classified as AI-exposed.

Low exposure

Task Analysis

Most of this role rewards AI fluency.
57% of tasks (8 of 14) become more productive with AI tools — learning to use them is the highest-leverage career move.

1exposed

8AI leverage

5human-essential

View all 14 tasks

AI Can Handle This1 task

Tasks AI can do autonomously or nearly so

Create and maintain accessible, retrievable computer archives and databases, incorporating current advances in electronic information storage technology.

AI Leverage8 tasks

Master these tools — humans who do outperform those who don't

Organize archival records and develop classification systems to facilitate access to archival materials.

Prepare archival records, such as document descriptions, to allow easy access to information.

Preserve records, documents, and objects, copying records to film, videotape, audiotape, disk, or computer formats as necessary.

Research and record the origins and historical significance of archival materials.

Locate new materials and direct their acquisition and display.

Specialize in an area of history or technology, researching topics or items relevant to collections to determine what should be retained or acquired.

Select and edit documents for publication and display, applying knowledge of subject, literary expression, and presentation techniques.

Write grants and apply for funding to support archival work.

Human Advantage5 tasks

Tasks requiring trust, presence, or novel judgment

Provide reference services and assistance for users needing archival materials.

Establish and administer policy guidelines concerning public access and use of materials.

Direct activities of workers who assist in arranging, cataloguing, exhibiting, and maintaining collections of valuable materials.

Authenticate and appraise historical documents and archival materials.

Coordinate educational and public outreach programs, such as tours, workshops, lectures, and classes.

Resilience Landscape

Archivist lands in Stable, Lower Pay

Higher Resilience Paths in Education

Education

Archivist

Task Analysis

Resilience Landscape

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