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The differences between archivists and digital archivists can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 2-4 years to become both an archivist and a digital archivist. Additionally, a digital archivist has an average salary of $50,746, which is higher than the $47,145 average annual salary of an archivist.
The top three skills for an archivist include archival collections, online database and archival materials. The most important skills for a digital archivist are metadata, digital preservation, and digital materials.
| Archivist | Digital Archivist | |
| Yearly salary | $47,145 | $50,746 |
| Hourly rate | $22.67 | $24.40 |
| Growth rate | 12% | 12% |
| Number of jobs | 449 | 16,449 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 67% | Bachelor's Degree, 66% |
| Average age | 44 | 44 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 4 |
An archivist is an information professional who assesses the value of information and then stores them in such a way that people can access the information and make sense of it. Archivists are required to have a great understanding of the historical context of the records, such as the relationship of a record to other records and why it was created in the first place. They must work closely with record managers and his/her torians to store and preserve perishable documents. Archivists must also organize public events such as talks and exhibitions.
A digital archivist specializes in storing and organizing digital materials for preservation and future use. They convert photographs, videos, documents, and other print materials into digital files, develop and implement storing systems, and maintain electronic records. When it comes to employment, a digital archivist can work at libraries, museums, government agencies, public or private institutions, and corporations. A digital archivist may also process requests, answer inquiries, and train new members of the workforce. Moreover, they must keep an open and transparent communication line with staff for an efficient workflow.
Archivists and digital archivists have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Archivist | Digital Archivist | |
| Average salary | $47,145 | $50,746 |
| Salary range | Between $23,000 And $94,000 | Between $24,000 And $105,000 |
| Highest paying City | Washington, DC | - |
| Highest paying state | Alaska | - |
| Best paying company | Apple | - |
| Best paying industry | - | - |
There are a few differences between an archivist and a digital archivist in terms of educational background:
| Archivist | Digital Archivist | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 67% | Bachelor's Degree, 66% |
| Most common major | History | Photography |
| Most common college | Harvard University | Harvard University |
Here are the differences between archivists' and digital archivists' demographics:
| Archivist | Digital Archivist | |
| Average age | 44 | 44 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 43.1% Female, 56.9% | Male, 50.8% Female, 49.2% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 5.3% Unknown, 4.4% Hispanic or Latino, 7.3% Asian, 5.1% White, 76.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.3% | Black or African American, 5.2% Unknown, 4.2% Hispanic or Latino, 7.2% Asian, 5.0% White, 77.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.2% |
| LGBT Percentage | 13% | 13% |