This article focuses on discussing factors that affect the work motivation of archives staff. Research data was collected from a survey of 195 clerical and archives staff at state management agencies at district level or higher in the Northern provinces. Research results show that in addition to common factors such as job characteristics, salaries, benefits, training and promotion opportunities, the factor “organizational model of archival work” and the factor “awareness of the value of textual information and archival documents” has a significant impact on the work motivation of archival staff. In particular, the factor “leadership style” does not have a significant impact on the work motivation of archives staff.