The median annual wage of historians was $53,520 in May 2010. The median wage is the wage at which half the workers in an occupation earned more than that amount and half earned less. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $26,370, and the top 10 percent earned more than $95,690.
Median annual wages in the industries employing the largest numbers of historians in May 2010 were as follows:
| Federal executive branch | $84,860 |
| Professional, scientific, and technical services | 55,410 |
| State government | 49,990 |
| Local government | 30,950 |
Most historians work full time. Some work independently and are able to set their own schedules. Some travel to do fieldwork.
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2012-13 Edition