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The 15 Best Jobs for People Who Love History
If you have a passion for exploring times and places from history, you may be wondering how to translate that interest into a fulfilling career. Fortunately, numerous career paths revolve around history, offering benefits, competitive salaries, and exciting opportunities. From educational roles to adventurous positions akin to a real-life Indiana Jones, there are plenty of options for history enthusiasts.
In this article, we’ve compiled a list of the 15 best jobs for history lovers and provided tips on what to consider when seeking a role that aligns with your passion for the past.
Key Takeaways
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The top three careers for history enthusiasts are genealogist, archivist, and history professor.
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Most positions in the history field require at least a bachelor’s degree.
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Look for roles that involve research, teaching, and/or writing if you are passionate about history.
The 15 Best Jobs for People Who Like History
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Average Salary: $121,347 per year
Jobs Available: 4,544
Job Growth Rate: 6%As one of the highest-paying professions, a career in law is an excellent fit for history lovers. Lawyers conduct library research, investigate evidence, develop legal documents, and counsel clients, all of which require a deep understanding of the history of the U.S. legal system.
Lawyers earn an average of $58.34 per hour, but the path to becoming a lawyer requires significant educational investment, with most individuals completing seven years of full-time study at an accredited law school, followed by passing the bar exam.
Key Skills: Research, organization, persuasive communication.
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Average Salary: $79,437 per year
Jobs Available: 9,335
Job Growth Rate: 5%Filmmaking offers a satisfying creative outlet, especially for those passionate about history. Filmmakers can produce documentaries or narrative films on historical subjects, allowing for extensive research into various eras.
The average salary for filmmakers is $34.13 per hour, with the majority (72.8%) holding a bachelor’s degree.
Key Skills: Creativity, storytelling, research, cinematography.
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Average Salary: $71,372 per year
Jobs Available: 5,492
Job Growth Rate: 3%Geographers study landforms, climates, and human activity, often incorporating historical context into their research. This role is ideal for those who enjoy examining the social, economic, and political characteristics of different regions.
On average, geographers earn $34.31 per hour, with 78.5% holding a bachelor’s degree and 15.7% having a master’s degree.
Key Skills: Data analysis, research, writing, critical thinking.
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Average Salary: $69,334 per year
Current Jobs Available: 25,509
Job Growth Rate: 11%For history enthusiasts who want to share their knowledge, becoming a history professor is a rewarding option. Professors research topics and develop lesson plans for college students, often engaging in writing projects that further their research.
History professors earn an average of $33.33 per hour, with 45% requiring a bachelor’s degree and 39.4% holding a master’s degree.
Key Skills: Teaching, research, writing, organization.
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Average Salary: $62,058 per year
Jobs Available: 5,449
Job Growth Rate: 5%Political researchers delve into the origins and development of political systems, linking contemporary politics to historical contexts. This position is perfect for those who enjoy exploring the historical roots of ideologies.
Political researchers earn an average of $31.20 per hour, with about 70% requiring a bachelor’s degree and 19% holding a master’s degree.
Key Skills: Research, analysis, writing, teamwork.
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Average Salary: $60,660 per year
Jobs Available: 92
Job Growth Rate: 3%For those who are passionate about preserving historical artifacts and sites, a career as a conservationist can be fulfilling. These professionals work to protect cultural heritage, ecosystems, and historical artifacts.
Conservationists earn an average of $30.78 per hour, with most requiring at least a bachelor’s degree.
Key Skills: Negotiation, research, teamwork, data analysis.
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Average Salary: $59,331 per year
Jobs Available: 52
Job Growth Rate: 6%If you’re fascinated by ancestry and lineage, a career as a genealogist may be ideal. Genealogists study family histories through various research methods, including genetic testing and historical documents.
With an average salary of $27 to $35 per hour, the educational requirements are relatively moderate, with 49% of professionals needing a bachelor’s degree and 26% only requiring an associate’s degree.
Key Skills: Investigation, attention to detail, organization, analysis.
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Average Salary: $58,944 per year
Jobs Available: 4,908
Job Growth Rate: 10%Archaeologists are responsible for uncovering historical artifacts and studying them to expand our understanding of cultural history. This dynamic field allows for hands-on exploration of the past.
Archaeologists earn an average of $28.34 per hour, though most professionals (74.4%) hold bachelor’s degrees, with 14.8% obtaining master’s degrees.
Key Skills: Critical thinking, physical stamina, persistence, attention to detail.
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Average Salary: $57,413 per year
Jobs Available: 29,433
Job Growth Rate: 2%Writers can explore history through various mediums, whether freelancing, blogging, or publishing books. This career allows for flexibility in research and writing about historical topics.
Writers earn an average of $27.60 per hour, with 73.9% holding at least a bachelor’s degree.
Key Skills: Research, adaptability, patience, editing.
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Average Salary: $52,292 per year
Jobs Available: 25,437
Job Growth Rate: -10%Journalists are skilled writers and communicators who report on current events, often with historical context. This role is excellent for those who enjoy staying informed about both contemporary and historical issues.
Journalists earn about $25 per hour, with most (74.5%) requiring a bachelor’s degree.
Key Skills: Communication, research, interpersonal skills, tenacity.
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Average Salary: $50,211 per year
Jobs Available: 1,277
Job Growth Rate: 6%Librarians work in various settings, organizing and managing resources that include a wealth of historical literature. This role is perfect for those who prefer reading about history.
The average salary for librarians is $24.14 per hour, and most (56%) hold a bachelor’s degree while 20% possess a master’s degree.
Key Skills: Organization, interpersonal skills, creativity, communication.
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Average Salary: $49,632 per year
Jobs Available: 681
Job Growth Rate: 9%Archivists manage and preserve historical records and documents, making them accessible to others. This role is especially suited for history buffs who enjoy working with historical materials.
Archivists earn around $23.86 per hour, with 67.4% requiring a bachelor’s degree and 18.4% needing a master’s degree.
Key Skills: Methodical work ethic, attention to detail, writing, organization.
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Average Salary: $43,777 per year
Jobs Available: 3,518
Job Growth Rate: 3%Park rangers preserve natural and historical sites, allowing them to work in beautiful outdoor settings while protecting cultural heritage.
Park rangers earn an average of $21.05 per hour, and most (62.3%) hold a bachelor’s degree. Internship opportunities can be valuable for gaining experience in this field.
Key Skills: Leadership, outdoor survival, communication, problem-solving.
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Average Salary: $42,455 per year
Jobs Available: 245
Job Growth Rate: 9%Museum curators acquire, manage, and display artifacts, making this role ideal for those passionate about history. Curators often have creative input on how exhibits are presented.
The average hourly rate for museum curators is $20.41, and 67.7% require a bachelor’s degree while 16.1% hold a master’s degree.
Key Skills: Aesthetic design, fundraising, interpersonal skills, organization.
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Average Salary: $38,185 per year
Jobs Available: 42,851
Job Growth Rate: 4%For those who enjoy teaching but prefer a more flexible schedule, becoming a history tutor is a great option. This role allows you to assist students in understanding historical topics and concepts.
History tutors earn an average of $18.36 per hour, and most (70.7%) hold a bachelor’s degree.
Key Skills: Teaching, empathy, writing, creative problem-solving.
How We Determine the Best Jobs (and What to Consider Yourself)
Understanding the factors that make a job appealing for history enthusiasts is essential. Key considerations include:
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Research: Jobs that allow active research are ideal for history buffs, as they enable continuous learning about events, eras, and civilizations.
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Teaching: Sharing knowledge with others is rewarding and allows you to express your interest in history.
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Writing: Writing positions enable you to discuss and share historical content, making them a great fit for history lovers.
While different factors may hold varying importance to each individual, this list prioritizes roles that align with these criteria, providing a diverse range of options across various industries.
The Bottom Line
Your love of history can lead to numerous fulfilling job opportunities, whether in museums or through outdoor conservation efforts. You can find rewarding careers that offer competitive salaries and align with your passion for the past.
While our top 15 list highlights high-paying roles in historical fields, many related jobs also exist with less stringent education requirements. The key is to explore the job market and find a position that suits your interests and expertise.
- Jobs For People
- Jobs For People Who Hate Working
- Jobs For People Who Don't Know What To Do
- Jobs For People Who Don't Speak English
- Jobs For People Who Love Reading
- Jobs For People Who Like To Organize
- Jobs For People Who Get Bored Easily
- Jobs For People Who Like To Work Alone
- Jobs For People Who Like History
- Jobs For People Who Like To Learn
- Jobs For People Who Like To Talk
- Jobs For People Who Love Sports
- Jobs For Teachers Who Don't Want To Teach
Author
Jack Flynn is a writer for Zippia. In his professional career he’s written over 100 research papers, articles and blog posts. Some of his most popular published works include his writing about economic terms and research into job classifications. Jack received his BS from Hampshire College.
