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Temporary Archivist Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Aquent

Digital Archivist

Beaverton, OR · On-site

$50.40 - $56/hr

Temporary Salary: $50.40-56 Hourly up to $56.00/hr Start Date: Aug 3, 2026 Aquent is proudly ... Appraise, organize, and catalog archival materials in accordance with established best practices.

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How much do temporary archivist jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 18, 2026, the average yearly pay for temporary 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 temporary archivist?

Temporary Archivists are professionals hired on a short-term basis to organize, preserve, and manage collections of historical documents, records, or other archival materials. They may work for museums, libraries, universities, or government agencies, often assisting with specific projects such as cataloging new acquisitions, digitizing records, or preparing materials for exhibitions. Their roles can vary, but typically include tasks like appraising, arranging, and describing archival content while ensuring proper storage and accessibility. Temporary Archivists are valuable in handling workload fluctuations or special projects without the commitment of a permanent hire.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a temporary archivist?

To thrive as a Temporary Archivist, you need a solid understanding of archival principles, records management, and typically a degree in library science, archival studies, or a related field. Familiarity with collection management systems, digitization tools, and metadata standards is often required. Attention to detail, organizational skills, and effective communication are vital soft skills for this role. These competencies ensure that archival materials are properly preserved, easily accessible, and efficiently managed during temporary assignments.

What are the primary challenges faced by temporary archivists when integrating into established archival teams?

Temporary archivists often encounter the challenge of quickly adapting to existing workflows, documentation standards, and digital systems used by permanent staff. Since projects may be time-limited, there is a need to rapidly learn institutional protocols and build rapport with team members while maintaining high standards of accuracy and confidentiality. Effective communication and adaptability are essential, as temporary archivists frequently collaborate with other archivists, librarians, and sometimes researchers to ensure seamless project completion.

What cities are hiring for Temporary Archivist jobs?

Cities with the most Temporary Archivist job openings:

What are the most commonly searched types of Archivist jobs?

The most popular types of Archivist jobs are:

What states have the most Temporary Archivist jobs?

States with the most job openings for Temporary Archivist jobs include:

Temporary Archivist jobs near you
Infographic showing various Temporary Archivist job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% Internship, 76% Full Time, 22% Part Time, and 1% Temporary. Highlights an 95% Physical, 4% Hybrid, and 1% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $72,781 per year, or $35 per hour.

Archivist

Zimmerman Associates, Inc.

Washington, DC • On-site

$43.76/hr

Full-time

Re-posted 26 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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