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Music Archivist Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Archivist

Washington, DC · On-site

$43.76/hr

C.) Pay Rate: $43.76/hour Zimmerman Associates, Inc. (ZAI) is seeking an experienced Archivist to lead a project supporting the Music Division of a prominent federal library in Washington, D.C. This ...

Archivist

Washington, DC · On-site

$73K - $85K/yr

Process correspondence, subject files, music manuscripts, photographs, audiovisual materials, scrapbooks, biographical materials, and related archival formats. * Rehouse materials into archival ...

C.) Pay Rate: $43.76/hour Zimmerman Associates, Inc. (ZAI) is seeking an experienced Archivist to lead a project supporting the Music Division of a prominent federal library in Washington, D.C. This ...

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Lead Archivist - Music Manuscript Collections Employment Type: Full-Time with benefits Customer Agency: Library of Congress - Music Division Employment Status: Contingent Upon Contract Award Work ...

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Lead Archivist - Music Manuscript Collections Employment Type: Full-Time with benefits Customer Agency: Library of Congress - Music Division Employment Status: Contingent Upon Contract Award Work ...

Company Description The New World Symphony (NWS) is where the future of orchestral music is ... POSITION SUMMARY The Archivist works as a member of the Communications Department and supports the ...

Production Archivist

Los Angeles, CA · On-site

$75K - $90K/yr

... footage, photos, music, sound effects, and more, with foresight to potentially work cross ... Oversee archiving, uploading, and organizing completed project files to cold storage. Use Adobe ...

Production Archivist

Los Angeles, CA · On-site

$75K - $90K/yr

... footage, photos, music, sound effects, and more, with foresight to potentially work cross ... Oversee archiving, uploading, and organizing completed project files to cold storage. Use Adobe ...

... footage, photos, music, sound effects, and more, with foresight to potentially work cross ... Oversee archiving, uploading, and organizing completed project files to cold storage. Use Adobe ...

Assists with the ingestion, digitization, cataloging, and archiving of WB-owned recordings, scores, and work-for-hire assets, ensuring music files, metadata, and supporting materials are accurate ...

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Music Archivist information

See salary details

$28.5K

$72.8K

$119K

How much do music archivist jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 3, 2026, the average yearly pay for music archivist in the United States is $72,781.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $54,500.00 and $83,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are music archivists?

Music archivists are professionals who collect, organize, preserve, and manage music-related materials such as recordings, manuscripts, scores, and historical documents. They work in libraries, museums, universities, and other institutions to ensure that valuable musical resources are accessible for research and enjoyment. Their responsibilities often include cataloging items, digitizing recordings, and developing systems for storage and retrieval. Music archivists play a crucial role in preserving musical heritage and supporting scholarship in music history.

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

To thrive as a Music Archivist, you need expertise in music history, archival science, and information management, typically supported by a degree in library science or a related field. Familiarity with cataloging systems such as MARC, metadata standards, and digital archiving tools is essential. Strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and a passion for preserving cultural heritage make someone stand out in this position. These skills are crucial for accurately preserving, organizing, and providing access to valuable music collections for researchers and the public.

What are some common challenges faced by Music Archivists when organizing and preserving historical recordings?

Music Archivists often encounter challenges such as deteriorating physical media (like tapes or vinyl), incomplete or inconsistent documentation, and rapidly evolving digital formats. Ensuring proper preservation requires both technical expertise and attention to detail, as archivists must identify the best methods to digitize and catalog rare or fragile items. Collaboration with audio engineers, historians, and IT specialists is also essential to develop sustainable preservation strategies and maintain accessibility for researchers and the public.
More about Music Archivist jobs
What cities are hiring for Music Archivist jobs? Cities with the most Music Archivist job openings:
What states have the most Music Archivist jobs? States with the most job openings for Music Archivist jobs include:
What job categories do people searching Music Archivist jobs look for? The top searched job categories for Music Archivist jobs are:
Infographic showing various Music Archivist job openings in the United States as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 59% Full Time, 40% Part Time, and 1% Contract. Highlights an 94% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 5% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $72,781 per year, or $35 per hour.
Archivist

$43.76/hr

Full-time

Posted 11 days ago


Job description

Archivist (Federal Project - Washington, D.C.)
Pay Rate: $43.76/hour
Zimmerman Associates, Inc. (ZAI) is seeking an experienced Archivist to lead a project supporting the Music Division of a prominent federal library in Washington, D.C. This role is ideal for a detail-oriented professional with strong experience managing archival projects and working with complex collections of musical and textual materials.
The Archivist will perform a wide range of archival functions, including planning, assessment, arrangement, processing, and description of manuscripts, artifacts, and official records. This position also requires close collaboration with federal archivists, as well as tracking and reporting project performance data.
Key Responsibilities
  • Conduct assessments and re-appraisals of archival collections
  • Develop and finalize processing plans for collections
  • Apply archival principles and best practices to the arrangement, preservation, and description of materials
  • Identify preservation concerns and perform rehousing, photocopying, and stabilization of materials as needed
  • Refine the organization of materials in accordance with provenance
  • Follow the Library Division's Processing Manual in all aspects of the project
  • Collaborate with federal archivists to ensure proper handling, transfer, and description of materials
  • Create descriptive content, including portions of Encoded Archival Description (EAD) finding aids and folder- or box-level descriptions
  • Manage workflow to ensure contract requirements and deliverables are met
  • Track performance metrics and prepare reports for project stakeholders
Qualifications
  • Graduate degree in Library Science, Archives, or Museum Studies
  • Minimum of 3 years of experience performing archival work, including project and workflow management
  • Strong knowledge of archival principles, including analysis, organization, and description of materials
  • Knowledge of American history, culture, documentary studies, oral history, or related disciplines
  • Knowledge of American music history and/or ability to read music notation preferred
  • Knowledge of Hebraic languages and Jewish liturgical music is highly desirable
  • Proven ability to develop workflow processes and track/report project data
  • Strong communication skills and ability to collaborate effectively with internal and federal stakeholders
  • Experience identifying and addressing preservation needs
  • Ability to safely lift and move materials weighing up to 35 pounds
  • Must be a U.S. citizen
About ZAI
ZAI is an Equal Opportunity Employer. In compliance with federal and state equal opportunity laws, all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy and gender identity), national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, genetic information, age, veteran status, or any other legally protected status.