How much does a anthropologist and archeologist make?
The median anthropologist and archeologist in the United States earns $70,770 per year, about $34.02 an hour. That is the midpoint of the profession: half of all anthropologists and archeologists earn more, and half earn less.
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025. SOC code 19-3091.
Anthropologist and archeologist salary range
Pay for anthropologists and archeologists spans a wide band. The lowest paid 10 percent earn under $49,050 a year, while the highest paid 10 percent take home more than $108,060. The average (mean) wage of $75,620 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $49,050 | $23.58 | Lowest paid |
| 25th percentile | $59,400 | $28.56 | |
| Median (50th) | $70,770 | $34.02 | Midpoint |
| 75th percentile | $89,670 | $43.11 | |
| 90th percentile | $108,060 | $51.95 | Highest paid |
Figures are national wage estimates for anthropologists and archeologists (SOC 19-3091), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS, May 2025.
Anthropologist and archeologist salary by state
Where you work changes the paycheck. Anthropologists and archeologists earn the most in Massachusetts at $121,300 a year, and the least in Kansas at $41,870. The table below lists every state with published data, ranked by median annual salary.
| State | Median annual | Employed |
|---|---|---|
| Massachusetts | $121,300 | 80 |
| Nebraska | $94,520 | 40 |
| Connecticut | $91,420 | N/A |
| Alaska | $89,810 | 130 |
| Idaho | $88,710 | 170 |
| Oregon | $84,970 | 240 |
| Hawaii | $84,530 | 210 |
| Virginia | $80,230 | 320 |
| Pennsylvania | $79,660 | 130 |
| Montana | $79,420 | 80 |
| Wyoming | $76,400 | 80 |
| Alabama | $75,690 | 170 |
| Washington | $74,790 | 260 |
| Utah | $73,920 | 120 |
| North Carolina | $73,130 | 200 |
| California | $72,240 | 2,060 |
| Kentucky | $72,230 | 70 |
| Oklahoma | $71,740 | 90 |
| Colorado | $68,620 | 250 |
| New Mexico | $68,180 | 230 |
| Texas | $67,700 | 430 |
| Iowa | $67,270 | 40 |
| New York | $67,220 | 120 |
| Missouri | $66,930 | 80 |
| New Jersey | $66,230 | 140 |
| Minnesota | $65,920 | 140 |
| Arizona | $65,290 | 500 |
| Michigan | $64,700 | N/A |
| Nevada | $64,390 | 230 |
| North Dakota | $63,830 | N/A |
| Indiana | $63,730 | 70 |
| South Carolina | $63,130 | 50 |
| South Dakota | $63,130 | 40 |
| Wisconsin | $63,130 | 40 |
| Arkansas | $62,160 | 60 |
| New Hampshire | $61,160 | 40 |
| Tennessee | $60,310 | 160 |
| Illinois | $59,560 | 140 |
| Florida | $59,270 | 620 |
| Ohio | $59,160 | 70 |
| Georgia | $58,990 | 150 |
| West Virginia | $54,340 | 50 |
| Maryland | $54,160 | 220 |
| Louisiana | $47,750 | 110 |
| Kansas | $41,870 | 60 |
State median wages for anthropologists and archeologists (SOC 19-3091), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS state files, May 2025. States where the BLS does not publish a median are not shown.
Job outlook for anthropologists and archeologists
The BLS projects employment of anthropologists and archeologists to grow 6% from 2025 to 2035. That is faster than the 3.5% average for all occupations. That works out to roughly 10,200 jobs in 2025 moving toward 10,800 by 2035.
Across the decade, the BLS expects about 800 openings a year for anthropologists and archeologists. Most come from the need to replace workers who move to other jobs or leave the workforce, on top of any new positions from growth.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program, 2025-35 (Table 1.2, Occupational projections and worker characteristics).
How to become an anthropologist and archeologist
The typical entry-level education for anthropologists and archeologists is a master's degree, according to the BLS.
Education, training, and experience data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program.
What affects how much an anthropologist and archeologist earns
Degree level, employer type, and field of research drive the numbers. Roles in private industry and government labs often pay above academic and entry-level positions.
Location is one of the clearest factors. The gap between the top paying state (Massachusetts, $121,300) and the lowest (Kansas, $41,870) shows how much geography alone can move the number, before experience or specialization.
About 8,990 people work as anthropologists and archeologists in the United States. At $70,770 a year, the job pays above the $50,980 median for all U.S. jobs.
Anthropologist and archeologist salary FAQ
How much does an anthropologist and archeologist make an hour?
The median hourly wage for an anthropologist and archeologist is $34.02. The middle half of anthropologists and archeologists earn between $28.56 and $43.11 per hour.
What is the highest anthropologist and archeologist salary?
The highest paid 10 percent of anthropologists and archeologists earn more than $108,060 per year. Top earners usually have the most experience and work in the best paying regions and industries.
How much does an anthropologist and archeologist make a year?
The median annual salary for an anthropologist and archeologist is $70,770. The average (mean) wage of $75,620 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
Is being an anthropologist and archeologist a well paid job?
At $70,770 a year, an anthropologist and archeologist earns above the $50,980 median for all U.S. jobs. About 8,990 people work as anthropologists and archeologists in the United States.
Which state pays anthropologists and archeologists the most?
Massachusetts has the highest median salary for anthropologists and archeologists at $121,300 a year. Nebraska ($94,520) and Connecticut ($91,420) follow. State medians come from the BLS OEWS state files, May 2025.
Is being an anthropologist and archeologist a good career?
Employment of anthropologists and archeologists is projected to grow 6% from 2025 to 2035, faster than the 3.5% average for all occupations. The BLS projects about 800 openings each year, from growth and from workers leaving the occupation.
Do you need a degree to become an anthropologist and archeologist?
The BLS lists the typical entry-level education for anthropologists and archeologists as a master's degree, so a college degree is usually expected.
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