1

Professional Genealogist Jobs (NOW HIRING)

next page

Showing results 1-20

Professional Genealogist information

See salary details

$18

$21

$22

How much do professional genealogist jobs pay per hour?

As of Jul 27, 2026, the average hourly pay for professional genealogist in the United States is $21.15, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $20.19 and $22.12 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is the difference between Professional Genealogist vs Historical Researcher?

AspectProfessional GenealogistHistorical Researcher
CredentialsOften certified or experienced in genealogy certificationsTypically holds degrees in history or related fields, but certifications are less common
Work EnvironmentPrivate clients, genealogical societies, archivesMuseums, academic institutions, archives
Industry UsageGenealogy services, family history projectsHistorical projects, academic research
Search & Comparison IntentResearching family history and lineageInvestigating historical events or periods

The main difference is that Professional Genealogists focus on tracing family histories and lineage, often working directly with clients and genealogical records. Historical Researchers explore broader historical contexts, working with archives and academic sources. While both roles involve research skills and historical data, their focus and typical work environments differ.

What Does a Professional Genealogist Do?

A professional genealogist works with clients to trace their family roots through public records and historical documents. As a professional genealogist, you consult with clients to find out what they already know about their ancestry and what they hope to learn from genealogical research. You use data from DNA testing in conjunction with contextual information that your clients provide as a starting point for your research. Exploring immigration records, property and tax records, birth certificates, marriage certificates, and death certificates, you put together a family tree that your clients can share with their descendants.

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

To thrive as a Professional Genealogist, you need expertise in historical research, document analysis, and lineage tracing, often supported by relevant courses or certifications in genealogy. Familiarity with genealogical software like Family Tree Maker, online databases such as Ancestry.com, and archival systems is essential. Strong analytical thinking, attention to detail, and effective communication skills help you interpret complex records and share findings with clients. These skills ensure accurate, ethical research and clear reporting, which are crucial for building trust and delivering reliable results in genealogical work.

What does a professional genealogist do?

A professional genealogist is an expert who researches family histories and lineages for clients. They use a variety of historical records, such as birth certificates, census data, and immigration documents, to trace ancestry and build family trees. Genealogists may also help solve mysteries about heritage, verify eligibility for lineage societies, or provide documentation for legal matters. Their work often involves both online research and visits to archives or libraries. They can work independently or for organizations like historical societies or genealogy firms.

What are some common challenges faced by professional genealogists when researching family histories, and how can they be addressed?

Professional genealogists often encounter challenges such as incomplete or inconsistent historical records, language barriers, and privacy restrictions on sensitive documents. To overcome these obstacles, genealogists must develop strong problem-solving skills, leverage a variety of research tools and databases, and network with other professionals for insights or guidance. Staying up-to-date on best practices and being persistent in exploring alternative sources, like local archives or oral histories, can also help resolve difficult cases and ensure accurate results for clients.
What cities are hiring for Professional Genealogist jobs? Cities with the most Professional Genealogist job openings:
What are the most commonly searched types of Genealogist jobs? The most popular types of Genealogist jobs are:
What states have the most Professional Genealogist jobs? States with the most job openings for Professional Genealogist jobs include:
What job categories do people searching Professional Genealogist jobs look for? The top searched job categories for Professional Genealogist jobs are:
Infographic showing various Professional Genealogist job openings in the United States as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 2% As Needed, 81% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 16% Contract. Highlights an 100% Hybrid job distribution, with an average salary of $44,000 per year, or $21.2 per hour.
Canada Researcher - Professional Genealogist (Remote)

Canada Researcher - Professional Genealogist (Remote)

Legacy Tree Genealogists

Salt Lake City, UT • On-site, Remote

$25 - $28/hr

Part-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement, PTO

Posted 7 days ago


Job description

**This position is for you if you have experience with Canadian genealogy research and can provide at least two client reports demonstrating your genealogy expertise. If you can't, subscribe here for notifications of future positions that may fit you better. Thanks!**
**This job opening closes at 8:00am MT on Monday, August 3, 2026. The position is expected to start on Tuesday, September 1, 2026.**
We at Legacy Tree Genealogists love helping people all over the world (in over 50 countries!) discover their heritage. We get up in the morning and do things like tell a client her birth father's name, connect cousins in China, and share documentation that an ancestor used an alias and actually fathered two families - at the same time, in two different countries. For 20 years, we've been changing people's lives forever by answering some of their deepest questions.
Legacy Tree needs additional support to keep providing the highest-rated genealogy research in the world to our clients. This is where you come in!
About You
It's not easy to make each client's experience the very best it can possibly be, and it means we can only hire an exceptional genealogist for this position. You will be a great fit if:
  • You are fluent in English and can explain your genealogy discoveries in a way that clients connect with and understand
  • You have at least 3 years of genealogy experience working with clients (pro-bono or paid)
  • You have taken genealogy training courses
  • You have experience with one or more of the following geographic genealogy research specialties:
    • Canada
    • French Canada
  • You are familiar with the repositories of the areas for which you claim expertise, and have worked with them to obtain documents
  • You have experience managing multiple research projects simultaneously
  • You are passionate about genealogy and are a creative problem solver
  • You are great at working independently, managing your time, and hitting deadlines (please don't overlook this line about deadlines)
  • You are comfortable with Microsoft Office suite, particularly Word and PowerPoint (even better if that includes OneDrive)
  • You're familiar with genealogical technology such as pedigree software (we use RootsMagic)
  • You have a quiet place to work without distractions, a computer, and great internet

Even better if:
  • In addition to the above, you have at least 5 years of genealogy experience working with clients (pro-bono or paid)
  • You have a genealogy certificate, related degree, or credentials
  • You have experience with one or more of the following genealogy research special interests:
    • Canadian dual citizenship
    • United States Mid-Atlantic, New England, and/or Midwest
    • England, Scotland, and/or Wales
    • Ireland, including both Irish immigration and within Ireland
    • Former British Empire countries such as Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, India, or the English-speaking Caribbean
    • Early British genealogy, from the 1700s and earlier

If you really don't match this list, please wait to apply. We play a long game and will still be around when you're ready. Sign up for notifications on future job opportunities with Legacy Tree and check out other open positions here.
What you'll be doing at Legacy Tree:
  • You'll be solving complex research problems by performing in-depth genealogical analysis - we're serious, this will be complex and in-depth.
  • You'll be conducting genealogical research online, but you'll also be using records in archives, libraries, and anywhere else you can get your hands on them (or a team member's hands - our team is in over 100 countries).
  • You'll be composing 15+ page narrative reports in English, with citations and research logs (we'll provide templates to help you, but the genius will be all you).
  • You'll have opportunities to help the company grow by sharing your expertise through writing occasional blog articles and creating Q&A videos.
  • With your input, you'll do other things as opportunities and needs arise.

If this all fits you, please submit an application and writing samples. We can't wait to learn more about you.
What Working at Legacy Tree Will be Like
We work hard to make working at Legacy Tree a great part of our team members' lives. Here's a little about what life here will be like:
Live Where You Want
Legacy Tree has always been a remote-based company, which allows us to hire the best talent anywhere, and which allows our team members to be where they love. As long as you have a quiet place to work and fast internet in your location, that's all that matters. While most of your work will be at home, occasionally you may choose to commute to a local archive or repository to conduct research there.
Work When You Want
This job is part-time and will require 25-29 hours a week but there is potential to transition to full-time in the future depending on performance and available workload. We're serious about providing the highest quality genealogy research, and we're also serious about work-life balance. We'll expect you to take paid holidays and vacation time. When you join us, we'll be asking to learn about your bucket list, and expecting to celebrate with you when you check something off.
Work with Great People
We may be a remote company, but when you're solving some of the toughest genealogy mysteries in the world, there's a lot of cooperation that takes place. You'll get to know your team members pretty darn well, and you'll be grateful for their support when you have questions. Some of your co-workers will be Kim and Laura and there are lots of others who you'll get to know, especially in our company chat Break Room and at our annual retreats. You'll find out first-hand why Legacy Tree won the award Best and Brightest Companies to Work for in the Nation multiple times.
Get Great Benefits and Take Time to Ramp Up
Research is an art, and it takes a special person (part detective, part trivia nerd, and part writer) to do it at the level our clients expect. For the first 90 days, you will focus on your research and writing, working with a Senior Researcher and/or your manager to show us what you can do. You can keep your own private clients while you make this transition, and your first official title will be Provisional Researcher. You'll get pointed feedback from our world-class Quality Assurance team, and if all goes well, we'll offer you a long-term position to join our team!
Our part-time employees get great benefits like paid time off and holidays, parental and bereavement leave, and a 401k that we match up to 3%. We'll make sure you have time for training so you can be even better at your craft, we'll pay you to research your own family history, and we'll give you a bonus for becoming accredited or certified. Full-time employees also get comprehensive medical, dental, and vision benefits.
Thank you
Thank you for taking the time to read through this position and consider joining our team! We hope to hear from you if you think we'll make a good fit.
Legacy Tree Genealogists is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We appreciate diversity, hire based solely on merit, and strive to create a working environment of inclusivity for all our team members.