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Oral History Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Shaker Village

Oral History Intern

Harrodsburg, KY · On-site

$1.5K/wk

Oral History Intern (fall 2026) Status: Full-time (40 hours/week) for 10 weeks To Apply Applications must include a resume, a cover letter, and two professional or academic letters of reference.

Wisconsin

University Archives Assistant

Madison, WI

We run a robust Oral History Program, provide records management services, and serve as an educational resource encouraging administrative and scholarly research among students, faculty, staff, and ...

Samford University

Research Assistant

Birmingham, AL · On-site

$19.25 - $26.50/hr

Conduct and transcribe oral history interviews related to the university historian's current research projects. * Organize archival materials, digital files, oral histories, and bibliographic ...

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$58.1K

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How much do oral history jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 25, 2026, the average yearly pay for oral history in the United States is $58,099.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $47,000.00 and $65,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the typical challenges faced by professionals working in Oral History roles?

A common challenge in Oral History roles is establishing rapport with interview subjects to elicit meaningful and candid insights, which can take time and patience. Oral historians often work with sensitive topics or vulnerable populations, requiring careful handling of both ethical and emotional issues. Additionally, managing large volumes of recordings, ensuring accurate transcriptions, and maintaining well-organized archives can present logistical difficulties. Being detail-oriented and adaptable are key to overcoming these hurdles and ensuring the collected histories are preserved accurately and respectfully.

What is a good career for someone who loves history?

An oral history interviewer or archivist is a career that involves collecting and preserving historical narratives through interviews and recordings. These roles often require strong communication skills, attention to detail, and knowledge of historical context, with tools like recording equipment and transcription software. They are typically found in museums, archives, or research institutions.

How much do oral historians make?

Oral historians typically earn between $40,000 and $70,000 annually, depending on experience, education, and employment setting. Freelance or contract work may pay hourly rates that vary widely based on project scope and expertise.

What is an Oral History job?

An Oral History job involves collecting, preserving, and interpreting historical narratives through recorded interviews. Professionals in this field conduct interviews with individuals to document personal experiences, memories, and historical events. They may work in museums, archives, universities, or research institutions to transcribe, archive, and analyze oral histories for educational or preservation purposes. This role requires strong research, interviewing, and communication skills.

What careers can you do with a history degree?

With a history degree, careers such as archivist, museum curator, historical researcher, or educator are common. These roles often require strong research, writing, and communication skills, and may involve working in museums, archives, or educational institutions.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in the Oral History position, and why are they important?

To excel in Oral History, you need strong interviewing, recording, and research skills, generally supported by a background in history, anthropology, or related fields. Familiarity with audio and video recording equipment, transcription software, and digital archiving platforms is highly beneficial. Outstanding listening skills, empathy, and cultural sensitivity help build trust with interview subjects and capture authentic narratives. These competencies are essential to accurately preserve and interpret personal histories for academic, cultural, or community purposes.

What does an oral historian do?

An oral historian conducts interviews to collect firsthand accounts of people's experiences and histories. They record, transcribe, and analyze these interviews to preserve cultural, social, or historical information, often working in research, museums, or academic settings. Skills in communication, interviewing, and audio editing are essential for this role.
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What cities are hiring for Oral History jobs? Cities with the most Oral History job openings:
What are the most commonly searched types of Oral History jobs? The most popular types of Oral History jobs are:
What states have the most Oral History jobs? States with the most job openings for Oral History jobs include:
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Oral History jobs near you
Infographic showing various Oral History job openings in the United States as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 80% Full Time, 15% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 95% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 4% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $58,099 per year, or $27.9 per hour.
Oral History Intern

Oral History Intern

Mississippi University for Women

Columbus, MS • On-site

$14.75 - $19.50/hr

Part-time

Posted 25 days ago

Job description

Position Justification
Position Information
Position Title
Oral History Intern
Unit Name
Center for Women's Research & Public Policy
Salary Grade
Student (Institutional)
Number of Months
Student Worker
Full-time or Part-time
Part-Time
Hours per week
10-20
Proposed Annual Salary, Hourly Rate or One-time payment
Essential Duties
  • After receiving training, transcribe recorded Golden Girls Oral History interviews, ensuring accuracy and completeness.
  • Assist Center Director in organizing records, including audio files, related to the Golden Girls Oral History interviews and in depositing these in the university archives .
  • Coordinate with the Center Director and the University Archivist to digitize Golden Girls Oral History Project interviews and related records and incorporate them into the Beulah Culbertson Archives and Special Collections at Fant Memorial Library.
  • As needed, Assist Center Director in planning and implementing the upcoming Golden Girls Oral History interview, including participant recruitment and interview scheduling.

Minimum Qualifications
  • Proficiency with Microsoft Office products and ability to type accurately and efficiently.
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills, especially regarding listening and aural comprehension
  • Attention to detail
  • Ability to work independently and meet deadlines
  • Interest in the history of Mississippi University for Women and women's social history more generally

Job Description Summary
The MUW Center for Women's Research & Public Policy (CWRRP) seeks a student intern to transcribe recorded interviews from the Golden Girls Oral History Project and to work with the CWRRP Director and university Archivist to organize and digitize interviews and records related to the project, incorporating them into the Culbertson Archives and making them accessible to the general public.
Hours of Availability
Flexible in coordination with the Center Director
Background Check Statement
Prior to hiring, the final candidate(s) must successfully pass a pre-employment background investigation. A prior conviction reported as a result of the background investigation DOES NOT automatically disqualify a candidate from consideration for this position. However, failure to disclose may disqualify a candidate.
Requisition Detail Information
Open Date
10/03/2025
Will this job have a specific close date?
No
Close Date
Special Instructions to Applicants

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