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Music Archivist Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Zimmerman Associates, Inc.

Archivist

Washington, DC

$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 ...

Zimmerman Associates, Inc.

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 ...

Library Systems & Services LLC

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 ...

Sirius XM

Archivist

Manhattan, NY · On-site

Our critically-acclaimed, industry-leading audio entertainment encompasses music, sports, comedy ... As part of the Archives team, the Archivist will be responsible for archiving, reviewing, and ...

New World Symphony

Part-time Archivist

Miami Beach, FL · On-site

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 ...

Sirius XM Radio

Archivist

Manhattan, NY

Our critically-acclaimed, industry-leading audio entertainment encompasses music, sports, comedy ... As part of the Archives team, the Archivist will be responsible for archiving, reviewing, and ...

Sirius XM Radio

Archivist

Washington, DC

Our critically-acclaimed, industry-leading audio entertainment encompasses music, sports, comedy ... As part of the Archives team, the Archivist will be responsible for archiving, reviewing, and ...

Wisconsin

Head of Mills Music Library

Madison, WI · On-site +1

$75K - $110K/yr

Library/Archive Manager I Job Summary: The Head of Mills Music Library serves as the University of Wisconsin-Madison Libraries' lead librarian for music and dance, overseeing all operations, services ...

PragerU

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 ...

PragerU

Production Archivist

Los Angeles, CA

$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 ...

PragerU

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 ...

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Music Archivist information

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$28.5K

$72.8K

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How much do music archivist jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 15, 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 is a music archivist?

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.

Are music archivists in high demand?

Music archivists are in moderate demand as institutions seek to preserve and organize audio collections, especially with increasing digitalization. Job opportunities may be more available in museums, libraries, and archives that focus on historical recordings and cultural preservation, often requiring specialized skills in cataloging and digital tools.
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Cities with the most Music Archivist job openings:

What states have the most Music Archivist jobs?

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Music Archivist jobs near you
Infographic showing various Music Archivist job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 10% Internship, 55% Full Time, 25% Part Time, 5% Temporary, and 5% Contract. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $72,781 per year, or $35 per hour.

Archivist

Zimmerman Associates, Inc.

Washington, DC

$43.76/hr

Full-time

Re-posted 22 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.

Employment Type: temporary full-time

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