Employment of archivists is projected to grow 12 percent from 2010 to 2020, about as fast as the average for all occupations.
Jobs for archivists are expected to increase as public and private organizations require organization of, and access to, increasing volumes of records and information. The growing use of electronic records will cause demand for archivists who specialize in electronic records and records management to grow more rapidly than demand for archivists who specialize in older media formats.
Workers seeking jobs as archivists are likely to face strong competition because qualified applicants generally outnumber job openings. Graduates with highly specialized training, such as master's degrees in both library science and history, with a concentration in archives or records management, extensive computer skills, and volunteer experience, should have the best job opportunities. Job opportunities for those who manage electronic records are expected to be better than for those who specialize in older media formats.
Archives can be subject to cuts in funding during recessions or periods of budget tightening, reducing demand for archivists. Although the number of archivists who move to other occupations is relatively low, the need to replace workers who retire will create some job openings.
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2012-13 Edition