How much does a historian make in California?
$97,420a year
Median yearly pay for historians in California. That is $46.84 an hour or $8,118 a month.
- Hourly
- $46.84
- Vs. national median
- +27%
- Rank among states
- 8 of 35
- Jobs in the state
- 210
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $60,620Median: $97,420Highest 10%: $146,200
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $60,620 | $29.14 | |
| 25th | $73,460 | $35.32 | |
| Median | $97,420 | $46.84 | |
| 75th | $129,300 | $62.14 | |
| 90th | $146,200 | $70.30 |
Cities in California
Metro areas, median yearly pay.
| Los Angeles, CA | $98,210 |
| Sacramento, CA | $97,420 |
| San Francisco, CA | $88,790 |
Nearby in the ranking
States with similar pay for historians.
| 5. Virginia | $101,900 |
| 6. Washington | $99,720 |
| 7. Oregon | $99,560 |
| 8. California | $97,420 |
| 9. Hawaii | $92,520 |
| 10. Illinois | $89,670 |
| 11. Louisiana | $80,620 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a historian make an hour in California?
The median hourly pay in California is $46.84 ($97,420 a year).
Do historians make more in California than the national average?
Yes: $97,420 against $76,750 nationally, 27% more.
Where does California rank for historian pay?
California ranks 8 of 35 states.
Which city in California pays historians the most?
Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA, with a median of $98,210 a year.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS): pay in May 2025, published by BLS in 2026. Hourly pay is the yearly figure divided by 2,080 hours.