Anthropologists and archeologists
SOC Code: 19-3091Also known as:
American Indian Policy Specialist, Anthropologist, Applied Anthropologist, Applied Cultural Anthropologist, Archaeological Field Technician
Median Annual Salary
$64,910
+3.7% growth (2024-2034)
800
Openings/Year
9K
Current Jobs
What 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.
💰 Salary
$64,910
Median annual wage (2024)
📈 Job Growth
+3.7%
As fast as average
🎓 Education
Master's degree
Typical entry-level requirement
🚀 Annual Openings
800
Projected average per year
Employment Projections (2024-2034)
Current Employment (2024)
8,800
Projected Employment (2034)
9,200
Related Careers
Sociologists
$101,690 •
+3.6% growth
Geographers
$97,200 •
-3.1% growth
Historians
$74,050 •
+2.2% growth
Anthropology and archeology teachers, postsecondary
$95,770 •
+2.7% growth
Area, ethnic, and cultural studies teachers, postsecondary
$84,290 •
+2.4% growth
Top Skills Required
Writing
Speaking
Reading Comprehension
Active Listening
Critical Thinking
Daily Tasks & Responsibilities
- 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.
- Lead field training sites and train field staff, students, and volunteers in excavation methods.
- Conduct participatory action research in communities and organizations to assess how work is done and to design work systems, technologies, and environments.
Technology & Tools
📚 Entry-Level Education
Master's degree
Most common requirement
🎯 Recommended Education
Doctoral Degree
O*NET recommended level
Degree Programs for Anthropologists and archeologists
These degree programs can prepare you for a career as a anthropologists and archeologists:
Anthropology, General
10,087 degrees awarded •
530 colleges offer this program
Human Biology
2,206 degrees awarded •
37 colleges offer this program
Sociology and Anthropology
496 degrees awarded •
49 colleges offer this program
Archeology
393 degrees awarded •
62 colleges offer this program
Medical/Health Humanities
352 degrees awarded •
29 colleges offer this program
Medical Anthropology
347 degrees awarded •
13 colleges offer this program
Ancient Studies/Civilization
157 degrees awarded •
27 colleges offer this program
Anthropology, Other
150 degrees awarded •
25 colleges offer this program
Cultural Anthropology
79 degrees awarded •
13 colleges offer this program
Forensic Anthropology
62 degrees awarded •
5 colleges offer this program
Best Colleges for Becoming a Anthropologists and archeologists
Ranked by Repit grade, then by degrees in related programs. These are the top-rated colleges that prepare students to become anthropologists and archeologists.
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Frequently Asked Questions
How much do anthropologists and archeologists make?
The median annual salary for anthropologists and archeologists is $64,910.
What education do anthropologists and archeologists need?
Most anthropologists and archeologists positions require a master's degree.
Common degree programs include Anthropology, General, Human Biology, Sociology and Anthropology.
Is becoming anthropologists and archeologists a good career choice?
Anthropologists and archeologists is projected to see +3.7% job growth from 2024 to 2034,
which is about average for all occupations. With approximately 800 job openings expected annually,
there are good opportunities for those entering the field.
What are the best colleges for anthropologists and archeologists?
Top colleges for aspiring anthropologists and archeologists include
University of California-Los Angeles, University of Michigan-Ann Arbor, University of Southern California, University of California-Irvine, Stanford University.
These schools are ranked based on their Repit grade and the number of graduates in related programs.
What other job titles are similar to anthropologists and archeologists?
Anthropologists and archeologists may also be known as: American Indian Policy Specialist, Anthropologist, Applied Anthropologist, Applied Cultural Anthropologist, Archaeological Field Technician, Archaeological Technician (Archeological Tech), Archaeologist, Archeologist, Communication and Folklore Specialist, Cultural Resources Specialist, Cultural Resources Technician, Egyptologist, Ethnoarchaeologist, Ethnologist, Excavator, Field Archaeologist, Forensic Anthropologist, Historical Archaeologist, Medical Anthropologist, Physical Anthropologist.
These titles often refer to similar roles with varying responsibilities or specializations.