What it pays
Government survey numbers — not estimates, not ads.
Half of all Historians in the U.S. earn more than $76,750 a year — the middle 80% land between $42,730 and $131,810. About 3,450 people in the U.S. do this work. Figures are for the U.S. occupation group “Historians”. (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics survey, published 2025.) In India, Professionals earn about ₹38,298 a month on average — around ₹4.6 lakh a year (government PLFS survey via ILOSTAT, occupation-family figure).
$76,750typical pay / year
3,450people in this work
$131,810+top 10% earn
₹4.6 lakha year in India (family avg)
Think you get this job?Six quick questions on how it really works — with a hint and the reason behind every answer.
Test yourself →The work, task by task
These are the real jobs-to-be-done, not a wish list. Each task shows where we found it, and the prompt underneath is written for that exact task.
Keeping the record1
Organize and maintain historical collections
+Create an inventory spreadsheet for the East Asia diplomatic collection noting box number, catalogue title,…
Organize and maintain historical collections
+Create an inventory spreadsheet for the East Asia diplomatic collection noting box number, catalogue title, date range, physical condition, access restrictions, and propose a retention order to simplify researcher requests.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft Exceljob descriptionsO*NET
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Analysing1
Evaluate the reliability of historical sources
+Assess the reliability of the six Russian memoirs cited for the 1905 negotiations: rate each for proximity,…
Evaluate the reliability of historical sources
+Assess the reliability of the six Russian memoirs cited for the 1905 negotiations: rate each for proximity, bias, and corroboration, flag contradictions with embassy reports, and produce a one-page reliability matrix by Friday.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft Exceljob descriptionsWikipedia
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The daily work12
Do historical research
+Gather diplomatic correspondence, government memoranda, and published memoirs on Anglo-French negotiations…
Do historical research
+Gather diplomatic correspondence, government memoranda, and published memoirs on Anglo-French negotiations over the Suez crisis, extract provenance and bias notes for each source, and produce a single annotated bibliography with archival citations and confidence ratings by Friday.
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Research the past in recorded sources
+Locate treaties, dispatches, and press reports about the 1906 Algeciras Conference, evaluate each item's…
Research the past in recorded sources
+Locate treaties, dispatches, and press reports about the 1906 Algeciras Conference, evaluate each item's authorship, purpose, and reliability, then compile a critical source register with transcriptions of key passages and archival references by next Wednesday.
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Determine which topics to research, or pursue research topics specified by clients or employers.
+Decide which research topics to pursue for the embassy’s centennial project: weigh feasibility, available…
Determine which topics to research, or pursue research topics specified by clients or employers.
+Decide which research topics to pursue for the embassy’s centennial project: weigh feasibility, available archives, language needs, and public impact, then recommend three ranked topics with brief source plans and estimated person-months.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft ExcelO*NET
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Edit historical society publications.
+Edit the historical society’s quarterly journal issue: standardise footnotes, correct citations to archival…
Edit historical society publications.
+Edit the historical society’s quarterly journal issue: standardise footnotes, correct citations to archival fonds, tighten introductions to 300 words, and prepare a copy-ready PDF proof for the printer after one round of author queries.
The tools that do the workAdobe AcrobatO*NET
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Coordinate activities of workers engaged in cataloging and filing materials.
+Coordinate the cataloguing team to process 2,400 diplomatic cables this quarter: assign fonds to Jan, Miguel,…
Coordinate activities of workers engaged in cataloging and filing materials.
+Coordinate the cataloguing team to process 2,400 diplomatic cables this quarter: assign fonds to Jan, Miguel, Amina; set metadata standards, verify 100 sample entries for quality, and produce a backlog clearance plan with weekly targets.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft AccessO*NET
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Collect detailed information on individuals for use in biographies.
+Collect comprehensive biographical dossiers on former ambassador Margaret Lee: gather birth, education,…
Collect detailed information on individuals for use in biographies.
+Collect comprehensive biographical dossiers on former ambassador Margaret Lee: gather birth, education, postings, private papers, press coverage, and oral-history leads, document archival citations, and deliver a 1,200-word biographical sketch with source appendix.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft OfficeO*NET
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Translate or request translation of reference materials.
+Locate untranslated Russian and Ottoman dispatches for the 1878 negotiations, request certified translations…
Translate or request translation of reference materials.
+Locate untranslated Russian and Ottoman dispatches for the 1878 negotiations, request certified translations where necessary, track deadlines and costs, and return translated texts with provenance notes and confidence assessments.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft SharePointO*NET
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Present findings at conferences or public events
+Present my recent findings on Anglo-Ottoman treaty negotiations at the Royal Historical Society lecture next…
Present findings at conferences or public events
+Present my recent findings on Anglo-Ottoman treaty negotiations at the Royal Historical Society lecture next Tuesday, using the draft paper, three slides of archival images with captions, and a ten-minute Q&A plan — rehearse aloud once beforehand.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft PowerPointjob descriptions
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Develop educational and outreach programs
+Develop a daylong outreach workshop for secondary teachers on reading diplomatic correspondence: create a…
Develop educational and outreach programs
+Develop a daylong outreach workshop for secondary teachers on reading diplomatic correspondence: create a facilitator guide, three classroom activities with source packets, and a one-page evaluation form ready to pilot this term.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft PowerPointMicrosoft Wordjob descriptions
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Create and interpret timelines and chronological sequences
+Produce a clear chronological timeline of British consular reports in the Levant, 1800–1850, with dates,…
Create and interpret timelines and chronological sequences
+Produce a clear chronological timeline of British consular reports in the Levant, 1800–1850, with dates, short event summaries, provenance notes for each entry, and a downloadable CSV for researchers by Friday.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft Exceljob descriptions
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Present the past of human societies
+Prepare a thirty-minute public talk framing the diplomatic history of imperial border-making, with three case…
Present the past of human societies
+Prepare a thirty-minute public talk framing the diplomatic history of imperial border-making, with three case studies, two maps showing changing frontiers, and a one-page takeaway for the audience.
The tools that do the workESRI ArcGISMicrosoft PowerPointESCO
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Source criticism
+Assess the reliability of the 1832 consular report: record provenance, note internal inconsistencies, list…
Source criticism
+Assess the reliability of the 1832 consular report: record provenance, note internal inconsistencies, list corroborating sources, and provide a recommended citation note plus a confidence rating for inclusion in my edition of documents.
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Says who?
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Built on public evidence: O*NET®, ESCO, Wikipedia, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, ILOSTAT. All sources & licenses