Anthropologists and Archeologists
SOC code 19-3091 · O*NET-SOC 19-3091.00 · Extensive preparation needed · Science and engineering
Anthropologists and Archeologists pay
U.S. national figures, May 2025 BLS survey · How we got this number
Median pay
$70,770
a year
Hourly
$34.02
per hour
The solid band is the middle 50% of workers; the bar spans the 10th to 90th percentile.
Average pay
$75,620
$36.35 per hour
Middle 50%
$59,400 – $89,670
25th to 75th percentile
Full spread
$49,050 – $108,060
10th to 90th percentile
People employed
8,990
nationwide
National U.S. figure, May 2025. Local pay can be higher or lower.
- 10th percentile
- $49,050
- $23.58/hr
- 25th percentile
- $59,400
- $28.56/hr
- Median percentile
- $70,770
- $34.02/hr
- 75th percentile
- $89,670
- $43.11/hr
- 90th percentile
- $108,060
- $51.95/hr
Job outlook · federal projection 2024–34
+4%
Growing faster than average
8,800
jobs in 2024
9,200
projected for 2034
About 400 more jobs
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics employment projections, 2024–34. Projections describe the broader occupation group and are estimates, not guarantees.
What do anthropologists and archeologists do?
Study the origin, development, and behavior of human beings. May study the way of life, language, or physical characteristics of people in various parts of the world. May engage in systematic recovery and examination of material evidence, such as tools or pottery remaining from past human cultures, in order to determine the history, customs, and living habits of earlier civilizations.
The tasks that matter most day to day
- Collect information and make judgments through observation, interviews, and review of documents.
- Teach or mentor undergraduate and graduate students in anthropology or archeology.
- Write about and present research findings for a variety of specialized and general audiences.
- Plan and direct research to characterize and compare the economic, demographic, health care, social, political, linguistic, and religious institutions of distinct cultural groups, communities, and organizations.
- Record the exact locations and conditions of artifacts uncovered in diggings or surveys, using drawings and photographs as necessary.
- Create data records for use in describing and analyzing social patterns and processes, using photography, videography, and audio recordings.
- Assess archeological sites for resource management, development, or conservation purposes and recommend methods for site protection.
- Train others in the application of ethnographic research methods to solve problems in organizational effectiveness, communications, technology development, policy making, and program planning.
How to qualify for this work
Most people in this role hold doctoral degree — 40% of workers surveyed reported it as their level of education.
Preparation level: zone 5 — Extensive preparation needed
- Education
- Most of these occupations require graduate school. For example, they may require a master's degree, and some require a Ph.D., M.D., or J.D. (law degree).
- Experience
- Extensive skill, knowledge, and experience are needed for these occupations. Many require more than five years of experience. For example, surgeons must complete four years of college and an additional five to seven years of specialized medical training to be able to do their job.
- Training
- Employees may need some on-the-job training, but most of these occupations assume that the person will already have the required skills, knowledge, work-related experience, and/or training.
Education reported by people doing this job
- Doctoral Degree40%
- Master's Degree30%
- Bachelor's Degree20%
- Some College Courses5%
Common questions
How much does an anthropologists and archeologists earn?
The national median is $70,770 a year. The full range runs from $49,050 at the 10th percentile to $108,060 at the 90th — entry pay sits closer to the lower figure, and experience, licensing and specialisation move you up the range.
Can you become an anthropologists and archeologists without a degree?
Not usually — this occupation sits in preparation zone 5, where the typical entry route is most of these occupations require graduate school. For example, they may require a master's degree, and some require a Ph.D., M.D., or J.D. (law degree). The education breakdown above shows what people in the role actually reported.
Is anthropologists and archeologists in demand?
Federal projections expect employment to grow by about 4% between 2024 and 2034 — growing faster than average. Openings also come from people retiring or changing jobs, which the growth figure does not count.
Skills and knowledge you need
Core skills
- Writing4.3/5
- Speaking4.3/5
- Reading Comprehension4.1/5
- Active Listening4.1/5
- Critical Thinking4.1/5
- Active Learning3.9/5
- Monitoring3.5/5
- Learning Strategies3.4/5
Knowledge areas
- Sociology and Anthropology4.9/5
- English Language4.4/5
- History and Archeology4.2/5
- Foreign Language4.0/5
- Education and Training3.9/5
- Geography3.6/5
- Communications and Media3.4/5
- Philosophy and Theology3.1/5
Transferable strengths: Complex Problem Solving, Instructing.