Historian Jobs in USA with Visa Sponsorship
Historian roles at U.S. universities, museums, and federal agencies regularly qualify as H-1B visa specialty occupations. Most positions require a master's or doctorate, and employers in the public sector often sponsor through cap-exempt pathways that bypass the annual lottery. For detailed occupation requirements, see the O*NET profile.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
The Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis is a leader in bringing Federal Reserve history to the world. We are committed to preserving the history of the Federal Reserve and its policy actions, and making that history accessible to educators, students, researchers, and the general public through our websites, publications, educational materials and conferences.
Job Summary
The Research Division of the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis seeks a professional who will initiate and collaborate on Bank and System initiatives in Federal Reserve history, archives, education, and research. The principal responsibilities may include:
- Produce content for FederalReserveHistory.org
- Identify content gaps and prioritize additions and changes to the website
- Coordinate with other website authors on topics, and provide editorial review of essays written by other authors
- Collaborate with FRASER digital library staff to identify potential collections for digitization and help inform FRASER priorities
- Lead or serve on System committees and workgroups devoted to preserving Federal Reserve history, including the Committee on Historical Preservation
- Speak to professional, educational, and general audiences about the Fed and its history
- Participate in relevant professional networks and conferences, connect with other historians of the Federal Reserve, and stay current with best practices in the field
- Collaborate with economic education staff to develop educational resources on the history of the Federal Reserve and its actions
- Collaborate with Bank and System archivists on current issues with Federal Reserve archives and preservation
Required Qualifications
- Ph.D. or master’s in economics or related disciplines
- Knowledge of the Federal Reserve, its purposes and functions, structure, and history
- Excellent written and oral communication and presentation skills
- Demonstrated professional research skills
- Organizational savvy and agility, initiative, and the ability to work both independently and in teams
Preferred Qualifications
- Professional visibility and an active research agenda reflected in publications in professional peer-reviewed academic journals and conference presentations.
The role is preferably based at the St. Louis Federal Reserve Bank alongside the core team, though candidates reporting to another Federal Reserve main district location will be considered.
Compensation, rank and expectations will be commensurate with the successful candidate’s qualifications and experience.
Total Rewards
Bring your passion and expertise, and we'll provide the opportunities to challenge you and propel your growth—along with multiple benefits and perks that support your health, wealth, and life.
In addition to competitive compensation, we offer a comprehensive benefits package all brought together in a flexible work environment where you can find balance:
- Medical (4 options), Prescription, Dental (3 options), and Vision Insurance with no waiting period
- 401k/Thrift Plan with generous employer match
- Employer-funded Pension Plan
- Paid Vacation/Sick Time and Holidays
- Flexible Spending Accounts and Healthcare Spending Accounts
- Life Insurance and Long Term Disability Insurance
- Tuition Reimbursement (undergraduate and graduate)
- Parental Leave
- Free onsite 24/7 Fitness Center including training classes, and locker room / shower facilities
- Onsite Cafeteria and Coffee Shop
- Additional Convenience Benefits, Discounts and More…
At the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis, we are committed to a strong and resilient economy for all. We prioritize inclusion and strive to be a workplace where all employees can thrive. Learn more about Bank's culture.
The Federal Reserve Bank of St Louis is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
Full Time / Part Time
Full time
Regular / Temporary
Regular
Job Exempt (Yes / No)
Yes
Job Category
Economics/Research Family Group
Work Shift
First (United States of America)
The Federal Reserve Banks are committed to equal employment opportunity for employees and job applicants in compliance with applicable law and to an environment where employees are valued for their differences.
Always verify and apply to jobs on Federal Reserve System Careers or through verified Federal Reserve Bank social media channels.
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding Historian Jobs
Frame your credentials around specialty occupation
USCIS evaluates whether the position theoretically requires a degree in a specific field, not just history broadly. Tailor your CV to show the direct connection between your graduate specialization and the exact research or curatorial duties in the job description.
Target cap-exempt institutions first
Universities, Smithsonian-affiliated museums, and federal agencies like the National Archives are cap-exempt H-1B sponsors. Pursuing these employers means your petition can be filed any time of year without entering the April lottery.
Verify the prevailing wage tier before negotiations
Look up the SOC code 19-3093 (Historians) in the OFLC Wage Search before your offer conversation. Knowing whether the role is classified at Level I or II tells you what the employer must certify on the Labor Condition Application.
Use Migrate Mate to file once you have an offer
After your employer signs off on the job details, submit your H-1B paperwork through Migrate Mate. The platform handles LCA filing and petition preparation for a flat fee, cutting out the multi-thousand-dollar attorney cost most academic hires assume is unavoidable.
Confirm the employer's willingness to file PERM early
Historian roles at private employers that want to sponsor a green card must complete PERM labor certification. Ask during the offer stage whether the employer has done this before and who covers legal fees, since PERM timelines now run 18 to 24 months at DOL.
Request your I-94 departure record immediately after entry
Your authorized stay as a Historian on H-1B is controlled by your I-94, not your visa stamp. Check your electronic I-94 record through CBP within a week of arrival to confirm the admitted-until date matches your approved petition end date.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does a Historian role qualify as an H-1B specialty occupation?
Yes, when the position requires at least a bachelor's degree in history, public history, archival studies, or a closely related field. USCIS looks at whether the degree requirement is both theoretical and specific to the role. Positions that accept any degree or substitute extensive experience without a degree floor are at risk of an RFE on specialty occupation grounds.
Which employers actually sponsor H-1B visas for Historians?
Federal agencies, national museums, research universities, and some state historical societies sponsor Historians most consistently. These institutions are often cap-exempt, meaning they can file H-1B petitions year-round. Private consulting firms that do cultural resource management and environmental review also hire Historians on H-1B, though they are cap-subject and must enter the April lottery. Browse Migrate Mate to filter Historian openings by sponsor type.
Do Historian roles need a PhD, or is a master's degree enough?
A master's degree satisfies the H-1B specialty occupation threshold for most curatorial, research, and archival Historian positions. A PhD is typically required only for tenure-track faculty roles or senior federal positions at GS-12 and above. The O*NET occupation profile for Historians lists a master's as the typical entry-level education, which USCIS weighs in specialty occupation determinations.
Can a Historian on OPT or STEM OPT get H-1B sponsorship?
Historians with a degree in history or related humanities fields are not eligible for the 24-month STEM OPT extension, since history is not on the DHS STEM designated degree list. Standard 12-month OPT applies. You'd need your employer to file an H-1B petition during the April registration window, and cap-gap rules would protect your authorization through September 30 if selected.
How long does H-1B sponsorship take for a Historian at a university?
For cap-exempt university employers, USCIS typically adjudicates standard H-1B petitions in three to five months from filing. Premium processing cuts that to 15 business days. Most universities will not pay for premium processing unless there is a hard start date. Your department administrator and the campus international office usually coordinate the petition timeline, so loop them in as soon as the offer is verbal.
What is the prevailing wage requirement for sponsored Historian jobs?
U.S. employers sponsoring a visa must pay at least the prevailing wage, which is what workers in the same role, area, and experience level typically earn. The Department of Labor sets this rate to make sure companies aren't hiring foreign workers simply because they'd accept lower pay than a U.S. worker. It varies by job title, location, and experience. You can look up current prevailing wage rates for any occupation and location using the OFLC Wage Search page.