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Historian Jobs in Reston, VA (NOW HIRING)

HQ USAF and Support Elements

HISTORIAN

Arlington, VA · On-site +1

$169K - $197K/yr

To serve as senior Historian and technical authority advising the Director, Department of the Air Force History and Museums Policies and Programs, on matters of policy, resourcing, document and data ...

US Department of the Air Force

HISTORIAN

Arlington, VA

$169K/yr

... historian workforce. FEDERAL TIME-IN-GRADE (TIG) REQUIREMENT FOR GENERAL SCHEDULE (GS) POSITIONS: Merit promotion applicants must meet applicable time-in-grade requirements to be considered eligible.

WSP

Project Architectural Historian

Washington, DC · On-site

$65K - $111K/yr

WSP Project Architectural Historians are survey field leaders, detailed researchers, and authors of technical reports. This position is a full-time, salaried position with benefits and opportunities ...

WSP

Project Architectural Historian

Washington, DC · On-site

$65K - $111K/yr

WSP Project Architectural Historians are survey field leaders, detailed researchers, and authors of technical reports. This position is a full-time, salaried position with benefits and opportunities ...

Streamed Hire, LLC

PLC Programmer

Sterling, VA · On-site

$90K - $120K/yr

Develop, implement and test Historian applications using FactoryTalk Historian SE/ME. * Maintain electrical controls documentation including schematics, PLC/PAC programs and technical specifications.

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Historian information

See Reston, VA salary details

$31.7K

$89.8K

$143K

How much do historian jobs pay per year?

As of Jun 17, 2026, the average yearly pay for historian in Reston, VA is $89,819.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $69,200.00 and $109,200.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are historians?

Historians are professionals who study and interpret past events by examining records, documents, artifacts, and other sources of historical information. They analyze and contextualize these materials to better understand societies, cultures, and significant events throughout history. Historians often work in academia, museums, research institutions, or as authors, helping to preserve and communicate knowledge of the past to the public.

What is the best career in history?

A career as a historian involves researching, analyzing, and interpreting past events, often working in academia, museums, or archives. Success in this field typically requires strong research skills, a relevant degree such as a master's or Ph.D., and proficiency with research tools and historical sources.

What Do Historians Do?

Historians research, study, interpret, and write about past events and how they shaped recent times. Historians typically work in academic institutions. The main goal of a historian is to understand history and educate others. Historians spend a great amount of time reading, analyzing, and poring over research of other historians to find new facts and form their own opinions about history.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Historian, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Historian, you need strong research abilities, analytical thinking, and a relevant degree such as a master's or Ph.D. in history or a related field. Familiarity with archival research methods, digital databases, and citation management tools is typically required. Excellent written and verbal communication, critical reasoning, and attention to detail help historians convey complex information clearly and persuasively. These skills and qualities are essential for producing accurate historical interpretations, contributing to academic discourse, and educating others.

What is the difference between Historian vs Archivist?

AspectHistorianArchivist
Required CredentialsBachelor's or Master's in History or related fieldBachelor's or Master's in Library Science, Archival Studies, or History
Work EnvironmentUniversities, museums, research institutionsArchives, libraries, museums, government agencies
Industry UsageResearch, education, publishingPreserving, organizing, and managing historical records
Common Search IntentUnderstanding historical context, researchManaging and preserving records, documentation

Historian and Archivist roles often overlap in historical research and record management. Historians focus on analyzing and interpreting historical events, often working in academia or research settings. Archivists specialize in preserving and organizing historical records and documents, typically working in archives or libraries. Both roles require a background in history or related fields, but their primary responsibilities and work environments differ.

How do historians typically collaborate with other professionals or departments in their work?

Historians often work closely with archivists, curators, librarians, and researchers from related disciplines to gather and interpret primary sources. Collaboration can also extend to educators when developing curriculum materials or to government agencies and private organizations on preservation projects. These partnerships are essential for cross-verifying historical data, sharing access to rare materials, and ensuring the accuracy and impact of historical narratives. Teamwork and effective communication are important skills for historians engaged in such multidisciplinary projects.

What kind of jobs do historians do?

Historians research, analyze, and interpret past events, often working in academia, museums, archives, or government agencies. They may write reports, publish books, give lectures, or develop educational materials, frequently using research tools like archives and digital databases.

What profession makes $300,000 a year?

In the field of history, most professionals earn significantly less than $300,000 annually. However, top executives or consultants with specialized expertise in historical analysis or related fields can reach or exceed this income level, often through consulting firms, academia, or private sector roles. High earnings typically require advanced degrees, extensive experience, and a strong reputation in the field.

Are historians paid well?

Historians' salaries vary based on experience, education, and employment sector. According to industry data, median annual wages for historians are around $63,000, with higher earnings possible in government or private research roles. Many historians work in academia, museums, or archives, where salaries can be lower than in other fields.
More about Historian jobs
What are the most commonly searched types of Historian jobs in Reston, VA? The most popular types of Historian jobs in Reston, VA are:
What are popular job titles related to Historian jobs in Reston, VA? For Historian jobs in Reston, VA, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Historian jobs in Reston, VA look for? The top searched job categories for Historian jobs in Reston, VA are:
What cities near Reston, VA are hiring for Historian jobs? Cities near Reston, VA with the most Historian job openings:
Historian jobs near you
Infographic showing various Historian job openings in Reston, VA as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 71% Full Time, and 29% Part Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $89,819 per year, or $43.2 per hour.
HISTORIAN

HISTORIAN

US Department of the Air Force

Naval Anacost Annex, DC • On-site

$121K/yr

Other

Posted 2 days ago

Job description

Click on "Learn more about this agency" button below to view Eligibilities being considered and other IMPORTANT information.
The primary purpose of this position is to function as a Senior Historian for the Command Historian. Provides functional oversight to subordinate Numbered Air Force and Wing History Office in the Major Command. Serves as the focal point for Air Expeditionary Force historian issues and manages deployments of historians assigned to the Major Command and subordinate units.Qualifications:Conditions of Employment Continued:
  • Position is designated Special-Sensitive and requires eligibility for access to Sensitive Compartmented Information (SCI), other intelligence-related Special Sensitive information, or involvement in Top Secret Special Access Programs (SAP) to fully perform the duties and responsibilities of the position. A non-disclosure agreement must be signed. A favorable suitability determination is required before appointment.
  • This position has been designated by the Air Force as a Testing Designated Position (TDP) under the Air Force Civilian Drug Demand Reduction Program. Employee must pass initial and periodic short notice drug testing. Illegal drug use by employees in sensitive positions presents a clear threat to the mission of the Air Force, national Security and public safety.
In order to qualify, you must meet the specialized experience requirements described in the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Qualification Standards for General Schedule Positions, Professional and Scientific, 0170 series.
BASIC REQUIREMENT OR INDIVIDUAL OCCUPATIONAL REQUIREMENT:

  1. Degree: history; or related field that included at least 18 semester hours in history.

    OR

  2. Combination of education and experience: courses equivalent to a major in history, or a major in a related field that included at least 18 semester hours in history, as shown in A above, plus appropriate experience or additional education.

In addition to meeting the basic requirement above, to qualify for this position you must also meet the qualification requirements listed below:
SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE: Applicants must have at least one (1) year of specialized experience at the next lower grade GS-12, or equivalent in other pay systems. Examples of specialized experience includes knowledge of professional historical principles, concepts, methodology, and techniques including historical and organizational research. Knowledge and general understanding of federal government history programs and current operations, policies, programs, and activities. Knowledge of United States (U.S.) history, the history of air power, and/or military aerospace history. Note: You must submit a copy of your transcripts and creditable experience may include previous military experience, experience gained in the private sector, or experience gained in another government agency.
FEDERAL TIME-IN-GRADE (TIG) REQUIREMENT FOR GENERAL SCHEDULE (GS) POSITIONS: Merit promotion applicants must meet applicable time-in-grade requirements to be considered eligible. One year at the GS-12 level is required to meet the time-in-grade requirements for the GS-13 level. TIG applies if you are in a current GS position or held a GS position within the previous 52 weeks. NOTE: Applicants applying as VEOA candidates who are current GS civil service employees or are prior GS civil service employees within the past 52 weeks must also meet time-in-grade requirements.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES (KSAs): Your qualifications will be evaluated on the basis of your level of knowledge, skills, abilities and/or competencies in the following areas:
  • Knowledge of professional historical principles, concepts, methodology, and techniques including historical and organizational research.
  • Knowledge and general understanding of federal government history programs and current operations, policies, programs, and activities.
  • Knowledge of U.S. history, the history of air power, and/or military aerospace history.
  • Skill and ability to perform extensive historical research in a wide variety of sources, critically evaluate sources of information, and establish validity of historical facts.
  • Ability to maintain good working relations with officials from a variety of organizations, historians in subordinate offices, co-workers, contractors, scholarly colleagues, editors, researchers, and the public.
PART-TIME OR UNPAID EXPERIENCE: Credit will be given for appropriate unpaid and or part-time work. You must clearly identify the duties and responsibilities in each position held and the total number of hours per week.
VOLUNTEER WORK EXPERIENCE: Refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service Programs (i.e., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community; student and social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge and skills that can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.Education:IF USING EDUCATION TO QUALIFY: If position has a positive degree requirement or education forms the basis for qualifications, you MUST submit transcriptswith the application. Official transcripts are not required at the time of application; however, if position has a positive degree requirement, qualifying based on education alone or in combination with experience, transcripts must be verified prior to appointment. An accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education must accredit education. Click here to check accreditation.
FOREIGN EDUCATION: Education completed in foreign colleges or universities may be used to meet the requirements. You must show proof the education credentials have been deemed to be at least equivalent to that gained in conventional U.S. education program. It is your responsibility to provide such evidence when applying.Employment Type: OTHER

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