Historians Salary in California
Historians in California earn a median annual wage of $97,420 —26.9% above the national median of $76,750. That ranks CA #8 of 35 covered states and territories for this occupation.
Wage distribution
How earnings are spread across workers in this occupation, from the 10th to the 90th percentile.
Employment is only 0.52× as concentrated as the national average — this occupation is relatively scarce in California.
Highest-paying states for historians
All 35 states ranked by median annual wage. California is highlighted.
| # | State | Median annual | Median hourly | Employment | Location quotient |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Massachusetts | $121,710 | $58.51 | — | — |
| 2 | Maryland | $120,580 | $57.97 | 50 | 0.74 |
| 3 | District of Columbia | $118,290 | $56.87 | 250 | 16.30 |
| 4 | Minnesota | $103,040 | $49.54 | 50 | 0.73 |
| 5 | Virginia | $101,920 | $49.00 | 180 | 1.99 |
| 6 | Washington | $99,720 | $47.94 | 30 | 0.41 |
| 7 | Oregon | $99,560 | $47.87 | 40 | 0.88 |
| 8 | California | $97,420 | $46.84 | 210 | 0.52 |
| 9 | Hawaii | $92,520 | $44.48 | 70 | 4.86 |
| 10 | Illinois | $89,670 | $43.11 | — | — |
Related occupations in California
Occupations in the same job family, compared within California.
| Occupation | California median | U.S. median |
|---|---|---|
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | $136,990 | $103,410 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $102,840 | $90,150 |
| Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health | $106,510 | $82,220 |
| Chemists | $97,860 | $91,240 |
| Clinical and Counseling Psychologists | $116,000 | $100,580 |
| Life, Physical, and Social Science Technicians, All Other | $78,350 | $62,280 |
Frequently asked questions
How much do historians make in California?
The median annual wage for historians in California is $97,420, or $46.84 per hour. That is 26.9% above the national median of $76,750.
What is the entry-level historians salary in California?
Workers at the 10th percentile earn $60,620 per year ($29.15/hour). The 25th percentile is $73,460.
How many people work as historians in California?
About 210 people work in this occupation in California, or 0.0 per 1,000 jobs statewide.
Is California a good state for historians?
California ranks #8 of 35 states by median wage for this occupation. Employment is only 0.52x as concentrated as the national average, so this occupation is relatively scarce in California.
Which state pays historians the most?
Massachusetts has the highest median wage at $121,710 per year, followed by Maryland ($120,580) and District of Columbia ($118,290).