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Freelance Historical Research Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Cheddar

Freelance Anchor/Reporter

New York, NY · On-site

$65 - $75/hr

Strong research and analytical skills, with the ability to quickly identify and understand complex ... A history of working in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment. * Familiarity with business and ...

Cheddar

Freelance Anchor/Reporter

New York, NY · On-site

$65 - $75/hr

Strong research and analytical skills, with the ability to quickly identify and understand complex ... A history of working in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment. * Familiarity with business and ...

Cheddar

Freelance Multimedia Journalist

Washington, DC

$75 - $100/hr

Strong research and analytical skills, with the ability to quickly identify and understand complex ... A history of working in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment. * Familiarity with business and ...

Cheddar

Freelance Multimedia Journalist

Washington, DC · On-site

$75 - $100/hr

Strong research and analytical skills, with the ability to quickly identify and understand complex ... A history of working in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment. * Familiarity with business and ...

icreatives

Managing Editor

Reynoldsburg, OH

$67K - $74K/yr

Publication budgets and freelance resources * Research, fact-checking, and content alignment ... an extraordinary history. This is a full-time role working onsite in the Columbus, OH area. To ...

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How much do freelance historical research jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 24, 2026, the average hourly pay for freelance historical research in the United States is $47.71, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $24.28 and $61.78 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a freelance historical research?

A Freelance Historical Research job involves conducting in-depth research on historical events, figures, documents, or trends for clients such as authors, academics, filmmakers, or businesses. Researchers gather and analyze information from archives, libraries, and digital databases to provide accurate historical context. This role requires strong analytical skills, attention to detail, and expertise in sourcing credible historical materials. Freelancers may work on projects like genealogical research, historical fact-checking, or content development for books, documentaries, or museums.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in freelance historical research?

To thrive as a Freelance Historical Researcher, you need strong analytical abilities, proficiency in research methodologies, historical knowledge, and usually a degree in history or a related field. Experience with databases, archives, digital research tools, and citation management systems is valuable, as are relevant certifications like archival research or paleography training. Attention to detail, strong written and verbal communication, and self-motivation are key soft skills in this independent role. These competencies ensure accurate research outcomes, effective client communication, and successful project completion in a self-directed work environment.

What are some common challenges faced by freelance historical researchers and how can they be addressed?

Freelance historical researchers often face challenges such as limited access to certain archives, interpreting incomplete records, and managing client expectations across diverse projects. Navigating paywalls, travel restrictions, or institutional limitations can require creative problem-solving and networking with librarians or other researchers. Successful freelancers stay organized by prioritizing tasks, using project management tools, and maintaining regular communication with clients to ensure clarity on research scope and timelines. Building a strong professional reputation and continually expanding your research skills are also key to overcoming these challenges and securing future projects.

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Freelance Historical Research jobs near you
Infographic showing various Freelance Historical Research job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% Internship, 1% As Needed, 85% Full Time, 11% Part Time, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 84% Physical, 4% Hybrid, and 12% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $99,230 per year, or $47.7 per hour.

Web Designer and Digital Humanities Editor: Department of History - UTK

The University of Tennessee

Knoxville, TN • On-site

$60K - $70K/yr

Full-time

Posted 12 days ago

Job description


The Web Designer and Digital Humanities Editor position is fully grant funded for four years, running from January 1, 2027, through December 31, 2030. The Designer and Editor will collaborate with other PAJ staff to build, sustain, and expand the project's digital humanities initiatives. Key responsibilities include designing, updating, and maintaining the project's website; enhancing the website according to best practices for user experience, optimized search, current web accessibility standards, and responsive design principles; developing information architecture to ensure logical content layout, organization, and presentation; monitoring the security and usability of the website; and generating original online content. Other responsibilities include digitizing microfilm and images of original documents, as well as making, checking, and formatting document transcriptions; assisting other PAJ staff with original historical research; and mentoring undergraduate and graduate assistants.
Responsibilities
  • Designing, updating, and maintaining the project's website
  • Enhancing the website according to best practices for user experience, optimized search, current web accessibility standards, and responsive design principles
  • Developing information architecture to ensure logical content layout, organization, and presentation
  • Monitoring the security and usability of the website
  • Generating original online content
  • Digitizing microfilm and images of original documents
  • Making, checking, and formatting document transcriptions
  • Assisting other PAJ staff with original historical research; and mentoring undergraduate and graduate assistants.

Qualifications
Required Qualifications
  • Education: Bachelor's degree
  • Experience:
    • Demonstrated experience in web design, including coding, website maintenance, image editing.
    • Demonstrated experience in historical research using databases and online search tools.
    • Relevant experience may be gained through coursework, internships, freelance or volunteer work, or professional employment.
  • Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
    • Historical: knowledge of basic US history, 1789-1848, ideally with some knowledge of politics and US-Indian relations; ability to read and accurately transcribe 19th century handwriting; ability to find and use archival finding aids
    • Technical: knowledge of and ability to do TEI coding and to use Wordpress and Omeka; ability to code; detailed knowledge of website design; good skills with image editing

Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis without need now or in the future for sponsorship for employment-based visa status.
Preferred Qualifications
  • Experience:
    • Experience working with a team on a digital humanities project is preferred.
    • Experience with archival research is also preferred, including identifying, requesting, reading, filming, and transcribing 19th-century manuscripts
  • Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: detailed knowledge of 19th-centry US history is a plus

WorkLocation
  • Location: Knoxville, TN
  • Onsite

Compensation and Benefits
  • UTmarketrange: MR09
  • Anticipatedhiringrange: $60,000 - $70,000
  • Find more information on the UT Market Range structure here
  • Find more information on UT Benefits here

ApplicationInstructions
To express interest, please submit an application with the noted below attachments:
  • Resume
  • Letter of interest that outlines qualifications for position

To be assured of full consideration, completed applications with all requested materials should be submitted on or before September 10, 2026.
About The Department
A long-running and highly regarded project, the Jackson Papers seeks to make widely available the full written record of the seventh U.S. president. Current project staff hold faculty appointments in the UT Department of History and are fully engaged in the intellectual life of the campus and community. Our project office and University library offer rich materials for research, including government records, microfilmed manuscript collections, and major electronic databases.
About Us
The University of Tennessee, Knoxville, has shaped leaders, changemakers, and innovative thinkers since its founding in 1794. The university is home to more than 38,000 students and 10,000 statewide employees-the Volunteers-who uphold the university's tradition of lighting the way for others through leadership and service.
UT Knoxville offers over 900 programs of study across 14 degree-granting colleges and schools. As Tennessee's flagship land-grant university, its footprint spans the entire state. The university holds the highest Carnegie classification for research activity and has deep partnerships with industry leaders and the US Department of Energy's largest multidisciplinary laboratory, Oak Ridge National Laboratory.
The Knoxville campus serves and recruits for UT Knoxville, including the Institute of Agriculture and the Space Institute, as well as the UT Institute of Public Service.
UT Knoxville considers its employees its number one asset. With values that focus on work-life balance, compensation, and innovation leadership, all Vols are supported to advance professionally. Employees have access to career development and coaching, continued education, and an extensive list of development and training possibilities. The Volunteer employee experience implements structures and practices to attract and retain top-tier talent, fostering a strong staff community and supporting a culture of involvement and engagement for everyone.
The university holds a strong commitment to its land-grant mission of learning and engagement, with a tradition of service and leadership that carries that Volunteer spirit throughout the state and around the world. It has been ranked nationally as "Best Employer for New Graduates," "One of America's Best Large Employers," and "Best Workplace for Women," and has been designated as "Best Place for Working Parents" by Forbes Magazine.
Apply today and join the Tennessee Volunteer community!

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