Archivists, curators, and museum workers
Salary, job outlook, AI risk & career information
Archivists, curators, and museum workers in the United States earn a median salary of $57,100 per year — about $27 per hour, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Roughly 40K people work in this occupation nationwide, with projected employment growth of +6%.
AI & Automation Risk
This occupation is a hybrid of digital knowledge work and physical preservation. AI will significantly automate archival tasks like cataloging, metadata generation, and electronic record management, while also assisting curators with research and exhibit design. However, the physical requirements of handling artifacts, restoring delicate items, and managing in-person public interactions provide a substantial buffer against full automation.