How long does it take to become a historian?

Typically about six years of study in total. That is the usual route rather than a rule — people arrive by other paths all the time.

How much do historians make?

The US median is $76,750 a year, meaning half earn more and half less. Pay varies widely by state, employer and experience.

Do you need a degree to become a historian?

Yes — a degree is the usual way in.

Where can you train to become a historian?

1,373 US colleges, community colleges and trade schools award credentials in a matching program. See which ones →

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How to become a historian

Science · SOC 19-3093

$76,750US median pay, 2025

+3%Projected growth, 2025–35

300Openings per year

DegreeUsual way in

How you get in

A degree is the usual way in.

Master's degree
Work as a historian

Programs that lead to this job

These are the federal program codes (CIP) that the Department of Education maps to this occupation, and how many US colleges, community colleges or trade schools report awarding credentials in each.

Program	Code	Schools
History, General	CIP 54.0101	1,338
Public/Applied History	CIP 54.0105	45
History, Other	CIP 54.0199	41
Historic Preservation and Conservation, General	CIP 30.1201	39
Medieval and Renaissance Studies	CIP 30.1301	32
Ancient Studies/Civilization	CIP 30.2201	30
Classical, Ancient Mediterranean, and Near Eastern Studies and Archaeology	CIP 30.2202	25
Architectural History and Criticism, General	CIP 04.0801	21
Medical/Health Humanities	CIP 51.3204	20
History and Philosophy of Science and Technology	CIP 54.0104	18
Cultural Resource Management and Policy Analysis	CIP 30.1202	14
History and Political Science	CIP 30.4601	14
Holocaust and Related Studies	CIP 30.2101	10
American History (United States)	CIP 54.0102	9
Maritime Studies	CIP 30.2901	8
Military History	CIP 54.0108	8
European History	CIP 54.0103	5
Historic Preservation and Conservation, Other	CIP 30.1299	4
Architectural Conservation	CIP 04.0802	1
History and Language/Literature	CIP 30.4501	1
Asian History	CIP 54.0106	1
Classical and Ancient Studies, Other	CIP 30.2299	0
History of Medicine	CIP 51.3205	0
Canadian History	CIP 54.0107	0

See the 1,373 schools that offer these programs →

Common questions

How long does it take to become a historian?: Typically about six years of study in total. That is the usual route rather than a rule — people arrive by other paths all the time.
How much do historians make?: The US median is $76,750 a year, meaning half earn more and half less. Pay varies widely by state, employer and experience.
Do you need a degree to become a historian?: Yes — a degree is the usual way in.
Where can you train to become a historian?: 1,373 US colleges, community colleges and trade schools award credentials in a matching program. See which ones →

Pay and growth are national figures. What you earn depends on where you work, your employer and your experience, and these are projections rather than promises. Education requirements describe how most people enter the job, not a rule — plenty of people take another route.

Pay, growth, openings and entry requirements: US Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections 2025–35. Program-to-occupation mapping: NCES CIP–SOC crosswalk (2020/2018). School counts: IPEDS completions, 2022–23.

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