Historians
SOC Code: 19-3093
Historians carries a 46% AI exposure score (High automation risk), with a median annual wage of $74,050 and +2.2% projected employment growth from 2024 to 2034 (BLS), affecting approximately 3,400 workers. Full task breakdown, skills, and employer data are below.
Proportion of tasks susceptible to AI automation (O*NET analysis)
At 46% AI exposure, Historians sits 9 points above the 37.2% average across 832 U.S. occupations - more exposed than 82% of them. Most of its core tasks still require human judgment.
Where Historians sits among all occupations
AI-exposure score distribution across 832 U.S. occupations (O*NET task analysis). This occupation is marked in rose.
Historians has ai exposure of 46%. Distribution: 1 occupations at 0-10%; 43 occupations at 10-20%; 184 occupations at 20-30%; 332 occupations at 30-40%; 158 occupations at 40-50%; 64 occupations at 50-60%; 29 occupations at 60-70%; 15 occupations at 70-80%; 5 occupations at 80-90%; 1 occupations at 90-100%.
Source: O*NET task data (U.S. Department of Labor); AI-exposure scores are PlainWorkforce's analysis. As of BLS 2024–2034.
Historians vs. its occupational neighbors
AI exposure (horizontal) vs projected 2024–2034 growth (vertical) for occupations in the same SOC group. Historians is marked in rose; the top-left corner is the most future-proof.
Source: BLS Employment Projections 2024–2034 (growth) and O*NET (AI-exposure analysis by PlainWorkforce).
Employment Projections
Occupation Insight
Historians (SOC 19-3093) carries an AI exposure score of 46%, placing it in the High automation-risk tier. This score is computed from O*NET Database 30.0 task-level analysis, where each task an occupation performs is evaluated against current generative AI, robotic process automation, and machine-learning capabilities. A score in the 40–70% range indicates meaningful automation pressure on specific task categories, but the role as a whole still requires human judgment for coordination, exception handling, or client interaction.
The economic context matters alongside the risk score. BLS counted approximately 3,400 workers in this occupation in 2024, and projects a +2.2% change through 2034 - modest growth that keeps the occupation viable even as tasks evolve. Median annual compensation stands at $74,050, reflecting both skill scarcity and the value employers place on the tasks that remain difficult to automate. Entry typically requires Master's degree, plus None of related experience.
For career planners, this profile should be read alongside the task, skill, and knowledge breakdowns below and the list of employers whose workforce composition includes Historians. Adjacent occupations shown further down offer lateral moves that preserve industry knowledge while potentially reducing exposure. Pair the AI exposure score with the BLS employment projection and wage percentiles above for a complete career assessment.
Education & Entry Requirements
Top Tasks (O*NET)
- 1. Gather historical data from sources such as archives, court records, diaries, news files, and photographs, as well as from books, pamphlets, and periodicals.
- 2. Organize data, and analyze and interpret its authenticity and relative significance.
- 3. Prepare publications and exhibits, or review those prepared by others, to ensure their historical accuracy.
- 4. Organize information for publication and for other means of dissemination, such as via storage media or the Internet.
- 5. Conduct historical research as a basis for the identification, conservation, and reconstruction of historic places and materials.
- 6. Conserve and preserve manuscripts, records, and other artifacts.
- 7. Present historical accounts in terms of individuals or social, ethnic, political, economic, or geographic groupings.
- 8. Research the history of a particular country or region, or of a specific time period.
- 9. Conduct historical research, and publish or present findings and theories.
- 10. Determine which topics to research, or pursue research topics specified by clients or employers.
Key Skills Required
- Reading Comprehension
- Writing
- Critical Thinking
- Active Listening
- Speaking
- Active Learning
- Complex Problem Solving
- Learning Strategies
- Social Perceptiveness
- Instructing
Knowledge Areas
- History and Archeology
- English Language
- Sociology and Anthropology
- Geography
- Administrative
- Education and Training
- Communications and Media
- Fine Arts
- Customer and Personal Service
- Administration and Management
Frequently Asked Questions
Will AI replace Historians?
Historians has an AI exposure score of 46%, indicating a high level of automation risk. Some tasks in this role can be augmented or partially automated by AI, but core responsibilities require human judgment.
What is the job outlook for Historians?
According to BLS Employment Projections 2024-2034, Historians is projected to grow by 2.2% over the decade. Current employment stands at approximately 3,400 workers.
What skills are needed for Historians?
Key skills for Historians include Reading Comprehension, Writing, Critical Thinking, and others. Typical entry-level education is Master's degree.
How much do Historians earn?
The median annual wage for Historians is $74,050, according to BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2024). Actual earnings vary by location, experience, industry, and employer. The BLS publishes detailed wage percentiles by region in its Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics program.
What education is required for Historians?
The typical entry-level education for Historians is Master's degree. Employers generally expect None of related work experience. On-the-job training typically involves None. Requirements can vary by employer and specialization.
Which companies employ Historians?
Historians roles exist across many industries and employers. Workforce composition is estimated from BLS industry-occupation employment distributions matched to SEC-registered public companies.
AI Exposure Rating
High automation risk based on 10 analyzed tasks. A moderate share of tasks may be augmented by AI tools.
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Data sources: Bureau of Labor Statistics Employment Projections 2024–2034 and O*NET Database 30.0. Employment figures are rounded. Wage data from BLS Occupational Employment Statistics (OES).