Career, Salary and Education Information
What They Do: Anthropologists and archeologists study the origin, development, and behavior of humans.
Work Environment: Anthropologists and archeologists typically work in research organizations, government, and consulting firms. Although most work in offices, some analyze samples in laboratories or do fieldwork. Fieldwork may require travel for extended periods.
How to Become One: Anthropologists and archeologists need a master’s degree or Ph.D. in anthropology or archeology. Experience doing fieldwork in either discipline is also important. Bachelor’s degree holders may find work as assistants or fieldworkers.
Salary: The median annual wage for anthropologists and archeologists is $61,910.
Job Outlook: Employment of anthropologists and archeologists is projected to grow 6 percent over the next ten years, about as fast as the average for all occupations.
Related Careers: Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of anthropologists and archeologists with similar occupations.
Following is everything you need to know about a career as an anthropologist or archeologist with lots of details. As a first step, take a look at some of the following jobs, which are real jobs with real employers. You will be able to see the very real job career requirements for employers who are actively hiring. The link will open in a new tab so that you can come back to this page to continue reading about the career:
Top 3 Anthropologist Jobs
- Anthropology Adjunct Assistant Professor Pool - Los Rios Community College District - Sacramento, CA
ANTH 300 Biological Anthropology * ANTH 303 Introduction to Forensic Anthropology * ANTH 332 Native Peoples of California To view a complete list of courses for each discipline, please visit the ...
- Assistant, Associate, or Professor of Anthropology - Concordia University - Irvine Ca - Irvine, CA
The Department of Psychology, Sociology and Anthropology at Concordia University, Irvine, CA, invites applications for a full-time faculty member as Professor of Anthropology (at appropriate rank ...
- Pool for Part-time Lecturer, Department of Anthropology, Cultural Resources Management MA Program - Sonoma State University - Rohnert Park, CA
... anthropologist , one cultural anthropologist , one archaeologist, one bioarchaeologist, and one biological anthropologist , as well as an anthropologist specializing in comparative human development
See all Anthropologist jobs
Top 3 Archeologist Jobs
- Archaeology Field Technicians - Westland Resources - Bothell, WA
WestLand is seeking on-call Archaeology Field Technicians for our growing Washington and Oregon teams. Our crews can be found working throughout the West on CRM projects for private and public sector ...
- Principal Investigator or Project Archaeologist w/career pathway to Principal Investigator - BGE, Inc. - Austin, TX
Principal Investigator or Project Archaeologist / Senior Archaeologist w/career pathway to Principal Investigator BGE is looking for a Principal Investigator or Project Archaeologist w/career pathway ...
- Archaeologist/Cultural Resource Consultant - JSI - Lubbock, TX
Description We are seeking a full-time Archaeologist /Cultural Resource Consultant to assist us with our current telecom projects in our Lubbock, TX office. Candidates would assist a current team with ...
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What Anthropologists and Archeologists Do[About this section] [To Top]
Anthropologists and archeologists study the origin, development, and behavior of humans. They examine the cultures, languages, archeological remains, and physical characteristics of people in various parts of the world.
Duties of Anthropologists and Archeologists
Anthropologists and archeologists typically do the following:
- Plan cultural research
- Customize data collection methods according to a particular region, specialty, or project
- Collect information from observations, interviews, and documents
- Record and manage records of observations taken in the field
- Analyze data, laboratory samples, and other sources of information to uncover patterns about human life, culture, and origins
- Prepare reports and present research findings
- Advise organizations on the cultural impact of policies, programs, and products
By drawing and building on knowledge from the humanities and the social, physical, and biological sciences, anthropologists and archeologists examine the ways of life, languages, archeological remains, and physical characteristics of people in various parts of the world. They also examine the customs, values, and social patterns of different cultures.
Although the equipment used by anthropologists and archeologists varies by task and specialty, it often includes excavation and measurement tools, laboratory and recording equipment, statistical and database software, and Geographic Information Systems (GIS).
Archeologists examine, recover, and preserve evidence of human activity from past cultures. They analyze human remains and artifacts, such as tools, pottery, cave paintings, and ruins of buildings. They connect their findings with information about past environments to learn about the history, customs, and living habits of people in earlier eras.
Archeologists also manage and protect archeological sites. Some work in national parks or at historical sites, providing site protection and educating the public. Others assess building sites to ensure that construction plans comply with federal regulations related to site preservation. Archeologists often specialize in a particular geographic area, period, or object of study, such as animal remains or underwater sites.
Anthropology is divided into three primary fields: biological or physical anthropology, cultural or social anthropology, and linguistic anthropology. Biological and physical anthropologists study the changing nature of the biology of humans and closely related primates. Cultural anthropologists study the social and cultural consequences of various human-related issues, such as overpopulation, natural disasters, warfare, and poverty. Linguistic anthropology studies the history and development of languages.
A growing number of anthropologists perform market research for businesses, studying the demand for products by a particular culture or social group. Using their anthropological background and a variety of techniques—including interviews, surveys, and observations—they may collect data on how a product is used by specific demographic groups.
Many people with a Ph.D. in anthropology or archeology become professors or museum curators. For more information, see the profiles on postsecondary teachers, and archivists, curators, and museum technicians.
Work Environment for Anthropologists and Archeologists[About this section] [To Top]
Anthropologists and archeologists hold about 7,500 jobs. The largest employers of anthropologists and archeologists are as follows:
| Research and development in the social sciences and humanities | 28% |
| Federal government, excluding postal service | 22% |
| Management, scientific, and technical consulting services | 19% |
| Engineering services | 6% |
| Self-employed workers | 6% |
The work of anthropologists varies according to the specific job. Although most anthropologists work in offices, some analyze samples in laboratories or work in the field.
Archeologists often work for cultural resource management (CRM) firms. These firms identify, assess, and preserve archeological sites and ensure that developers and builders comply with regulations regarding those sites. Archeologists also work in museums, at historical sites, and for government agencies, such as the U.S. Department of the Interior's National Park Service.
Anthropologists and archeologists often do fieldwork, either in the United States or in foreign countries. Fieldwork may involve learning foreign languages, living in remote areas, and examining and excavating archeological sites. Fieldwork usually requires travel for extended periods—about 4 to 8 weeks per year. Those doing fieldwork often will have to return to the field for several years to complete their research.
During fieldwork, anthropologists and archeologists must live with the people they study to learn about their culture. The work can involve rugged living conditions and strenuous physical exertion. While in the field, anthropologists and archeologists often work many hours to meet research deadlines. They also may work with limited funding for their projects.
Anthropologist and Archeologist Work Schedules
Most anthropologists and archeologists work full time during regular business hours. When doing fieldwork, however, anthropologists and archeologists may be required to travel and to work many and irregular hours, including evenings and weekends.
How to Become an Anthropologist or Archeologist[About this section] [To Top]
Get the education you need: Find schools for Anthropologists and Archeologists near you!
Anthropologists and archeologists need a master's degree or Ph.D. in anthropology or archeology. Experience doing fieldwork in either discipline is also important. Those with a bachelor's degree may find work as assistants or fieldworkers.
Education for Anthropologists and Archeologists
Most anthropologists and archeologists qualify for available positions with a master's degree in anthropology or archeology. The typical master's degree program takes 2 years to complete and includes field or laboratory research.
Anthropology and archeology students typically conduct field research during their graduate programs, often working abroad or doing community-based research. Many students also attend archeological field schools, which teach students how to excavate historical and archeological sites and how to record and interpret their findings and data.
Although a master's degree is enough for many positions, a Ph.D. may be needed for jobs that require leadership skills and advanced technical knowledge. Anthropologists and archeologists typically need a Ph.D. to work internationally in order to comply with the requirements of foreign governments. A Ph.D. takes additional years of study beyond a master's degree. Also, Ph.D. students must complete a doctoral dissertation, which typically includes between 18 and 30 months of field research and knowledge of a foreign language.
Those with a bachelor's degree in anthropology or archeology and work experience gained through an internship or field school can work as field or laboratory technicians or research assistants.
Other Experience for Anthropologists and Archeologists
Graduates of anthropology and archeology programs usually need experience in their respective fields and training in quantitative and qualitative research methods. Many students gain this experience through field training or internships with museums, historical societies, or nonprofit organizations while still in school.
Important Qualities for Anthropologists and Archeologists
Analytical skills. Anthropologists and archeologists must possess knowledge of scientific methods and data, which are often used in their research.
Critical-thinking skills. Anthropologists and archeologists must be able to draw conclusions from observations, laboratory experiments, and other methods of research. They must be able to combine various sources of information to try to solve problems and to answer research questions.
Communication skills. Anthropologists and archeologists often have to write reports or papers in academic journals and present their research and findings to their peers and to general audiences. These activities require strong writing, speaking, and listening skills.
Physical stamina. Anthropologists and archeologists working in the field may need to hike or walk several miles while carrying equipment to a research site.
Anthropologist and Archeologist Salaries[About this section] [More salary/earnings info] [To Top]
The median annual wage for anthropologists and archeologists is $61,910. The median wage is the wage at which half the workers in an occupation earned more than that amount and half earned less. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $37,870, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $99,830.
The median annual wages for anthropologists and archeologists in the top industries in which they work are as follows:
| Federal government, excluding postal service | $80,910 |
| Engineering services | $64,650 |
| Management, scientific, and technical consulting services | $60,540 |
| Research and development in the social sciences and humanities | $50,230 |
Many anthropologists and archeologists work full time during regular business hours. When doing fieldwork, however, anthropologists and archeologists may be required to travel and to work many and irregular hours, including evenings and weekends.
Job Outlook for Anthropologists and Archeologists[About this section] [To Top]
Employment of anthropologists and archeologists is projected to grow 6 percent over the next ten years, about as fast as the average for all occupations.
About 800 openings for anthropologists and archeologists are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.
Employment of Anthropologists and Archeologists
Corporations will continue to use anthropological research to gain a better understanding of consumer demand within specific cultures or social groups. Anthropologists also will be needed to analyze markets, allowing businesses to serve their clients better or to target new customers or demographic groups.
Archeologists will be needed to ensure that builders, museums, and other organizations comply with federal regulations pertaining to the preservation and handling of archeological and historical artifacts.
Because anthropological and archeological research may depend on research funding, federal budgetary decisions can affect the rate of employment growth in research.
| Occupational Title | Employment, 2021 | Projected Employment, 2031 | Change, 2021-31 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Percent | Numeric | |||
| Anthropologists and archeologists | 7,500 | 7,900 | 6 | 500 |
Careers Related to Anthropologists and Archeologists[About this section] [To Top]
Archivists, Curators, and Museum Workers
Archivists appraise, process, catalog, and preserve permanent records and historically valuable documents. Curators oversee collections of artwork and historic items, and may conduct public service activities for an institution. Museum technicians and conservators prepare and restore objects and documents in museum collections and exhibits.
Economists
Economists study the production and distribution of resources, goods, and services by collecting and analyzing data, researching trends, and evaluating economic issues.
Environmental Scientists and Specialists
Environmental scientists and specialists use their knowledge of the natural sciences to protect the environment and human health. They may clean up polluted areas, advise policymakers, or work with industry to reduce waste.
Geographers
Geographers study the Earth and the distribution of its land, features, and inhabitants. They also examine political or cultural structures and study the physical and human geographic characteristics of regions ranging in scale from local to global.
Historians
Historians research, analyze, interpret, and write about the past by studying historical documents and sources.
Postsecondary Teachers
Postsecondary teachers instruct students in a wide variety of academic and technical subjects beyond the high school level. They may also conduct research and publish scholarly papers and books.
Psychologists
Psychologists study cognitive, emotional, and social processes and behavior by observing, interpreting, and recording how individuals relate to one another and to their environments. They use their findings to help improve processes and behaviors.
Sociologists
Sociologists study society and social behavior by examining the groups, cultures, organizations, social institutions, and processes that develop when people interact and work together.
Survey Researchers
Survey researchers design and conduct surveys and analyze data. Surveys are used to collect factual data, such as employment and salary information, or to ask questions in order to understand people's opinions, preferences, beliefs, or desires.
More Anthropologist and Archeologist Information[About this section] [To Top]
For more information about careers in anthropology and archeology, visit
American Anthropological Association
For more information about careers in archeology, visit
Archaeological Institute of America
Society for American Archaeology
For more information about physical anthropologists, visit
A portion of the information on this page is used by permission of the U.S. Department of Labor.
