Archives Assistant

Career Guide

An Archives Assistant supports the day to day work of an archives team by organizing, preserving, and helping people access historical records. The role blends careful handling of physical and digital materials with customer service, data entry, and basic research support.

Browse All Roles

Key Responsibilities

Receive and track new archival materials
Rehouse items using protective storage materials
Arrange records according to established filing and cataloging rules
Create and update collection records in a database
Label boxes and folders for accurate retrieval
Support digitization by scanning materials and checking image quality
Prepare materials for researchers and staff use
Monitor reading room rules and assist visitors with requests
Answer basic reference questions using finding aids and catalogs
Maintain tidy and secure storage areas
Report preservation issues such as damage, mold, or pests
Follow handling, privacy, and rights guidelines for sensitive materials

Top Skills for Success

Attention to Detail

Organization

Written Communication

Customer Service

Time Management

Confidentiality

Careful Handling of Materials

Cataloging

Metadata Entry

Digitization

Basic Preservation Practices

Collections Database Use

Career Progression

Can Lead To

Archives Technician Digitization Technician Processing Archivist

Special Collections Assistant

Records Coordinator

Transition Opportunities

Archivist

Digital Archivist Records Manager Collections Manager Library Assistant

Common Skill Gaps

Often Missing Skills

Metadata Standards KnowledgeRights Management AwarenessDigital File ManagementQuality ControlBasic Conservation HandlingResearch Support Skills

Development SuggestionsBuild hands on practice by volunteering or interning with a local archive, complete a short course in metadata and digitization, and create a small portfolio that shows before and after examples of rehousing, catalog records you created, and a simple digitization workflow you can explain clearly.

Market Intelligence Report

Archives Assistant is part of the Records & Data Processing category.Explore our market intelligence report to see how AI and hiring demand are shifting for these roles.

See the market intelligence report

Salary & Demand

Median Salary Range

Entry LevelUS$32,000 to US$42,000

Mid LevelUS$42,000 to US$55,000

Senior LevelUS$55,000 to US$70,000

Growth Trend

Steady demand, driven by ongoing digitization, records retention needs, and staffing in universities, museums, and public agencies. Competition can be higher in major cities and well known cultural institutions.

Companies Hiring

Major Employers

Public librariesUniversity archivesMuseumsHistorical societiesLocal government archivesState archivesCorporate archivesHospitals and health systemsLaw firmsMedia organizations

Industry Sectors

EducationGovernmentArts and cultureHealthcareLegal servicesMedia and publishingCorporate services

Recommended Next Steps

Review a few job postings and list the top five tools and tasks mentioned

Update your resume to highlight cataloging, digitization, and customer service examples

Learn one collections database commonly used in archives and practice basic data entry

Complete a short course in archival handling and preservation basics

Build a portfolio with a sample finding aid section and a set of catalog records

Volunteer for a small processing project to gain real collection experience

Prepare interview stories that show accuracy, confidentiality, and problem solving