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Anthropologists and Archeologists

Job Zone 5 - Extensive preparation needed

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.

Pay & job outlook

Median pay: $70,770/yr (U.S. national, May 2025)

$49,050$108,060

Typical range nationwide (10th–90th percentile). This is a population snapshot, not a personal prediction - actual pay varies by location, employer, and experience.

Job outlook: +3.7% projected growth, 20242034 — about as fast as average.

About 800 openings per year, on average, over the decade.

Typical entry-level education: Master's degree.

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS and Employment Projections.

Top skills
WritingSpeakingCritical ThinkingActive ListeningReading ComprehensionActive LearningComplex Problem SolvingMonitoringLearning StrategiesInstructing
Top knowledge areas
Sociology and AnthropologyEnglish LanguageHistory and ArcheologyForeign LanguageEducation and TrainingGeographyCommunications and MediaPhilosophy and Theology
Core tasks

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.

Create data records for use in describing and analyzing social patterns and processes, using photography, videography, and audio recordings.

Train others in the application of ethnographic research methods to solve problems in organizational effectiveness, communications, technology development, policy making, and program planning.

Identify culturally specific beliefs and practices affecting health status and access to services for distinct populations and communities, in collaboration with medical and public health officials.

Apply traditional ecological knowledge and assessments of culturally distinctive land and resource management institutions to assist in the resolution of conflicts over habitat protection and resource enhancement.

Frequently asked questions

What's the median pay for Anthropologists and Archeologists?

The median pay for Anthropologists and Archeologists is $70,770 per year, per the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

What's the job outlook for Anthropologists and Archeologists?

Employment for Anthropologists and Archeologists is projected to change +3.7% from 2024 to 2034 - about as fast as average.

What education is typically required for Anthropologists and Archeologists?

Typical entry-level education: Master's degree.

How many job openings are there each year for Anthropologists and Archeologists?

About 800 openings per year, on average, over the decade.