The average archaeologist salary in the United States is $62,000. Entry-level archaeologists earn around $40,000 per year, while senior archaeologists can expect to make between $75,000 and $100,000 per year.
In most cities across the country, archaeology jobs are highly competitive. Since there are so few positions available and many qualified candidates vying for them, it can be difficult for an aspiring archaeologist to find a well-paying job.
The average archaeologist salary in the United States is $48,000 per year.
The top 10 percent of archaeologists earn more than $77,000 per year and the bottom 10 percent earn less than $33,000 per year.
While working as an archaeologist you may come across historical sites and artifacts, which can be very rewarding when you find something that sheds new light on our history.
Archaeologist Salary In Us
What is an Archaeologist?
MEDIAN SALARY
$66,130
UNEMPLOYMENT RATE
4.3%
NUMBER OF JOBS
600
At its most basic, archaeology is the study of prehistory and human history through the excavation and analyzation of artifacts. There is some methodical digging involved, but the bulk of an archaeologist’s work will be done in the lab, analyzing excavated remains.
“[Archaeology] isn’t about getting chased by a giant boulder,” says Diane Gifford-Gonzalez, president of the Society for American Archaeology.
Her comment, of course, is a nod to “Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark,” the first of four films that chronicle the action-packed exploits of the fictional archaeologist Indiana Jones.
But if it’s not about sprinting from runaway rocks or extracting yourself from a pit of snakes, what do archaeologists do?
Archaeologists are currently employed in two major sectors. There is the more traditional route of working as a professor or a museum curator. Alternatively, archaeologists can work in a sector called cultural heritage management, sometimes called cultural resource management. These archaeologists work to preserve historic and archaeological sites during development and other projects. They might work for the federal or state governments, utility companies or private companies.
Gifford-Gonzalez explains that you don’t often have those “aha” moments out in the field, but rather you’ll have them after a lot of data crunching and painstaking analysis in the lab.The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects 7.4 percent employment growth for archaeologists between 2020 and 2030. In that period, an estimated 600 jobs should open up.
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Rankings
Archaeologists rank #7 in Best Science Jobs. Jobs are ranked according to their ability to offer an elusive mix of factors. Read more about how we rank the best jobs.
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Best Science Jobs
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SCORECARD
6.4Salary
6Job Market
2Future Growth
8Stress
4Work Life Balance
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How Much Does an Archaeologist Make?
Archaeologists made a median salary of $66,130 in 2020. The best-paid 25 percent made $84,560 that year, while the lowest-paid 25 percent made $51,170.
25%
$51,170
Median
$66,130
75%
$84,560
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How to Become an Archaeologist?
To land most jobs in this field, budding archaeologists will need to acquire a master’s degree – and in some cases, a doctoral degree. A master’s degree usually allows these professionals to advance beyond entry-level positions, but a Ph.D. offers further mobility into international project work, university teaching positions or museum curator positions. All jobs will likely require applicants to have extensive field experience. Gifford-Gonzalez says you can find different field schools through the Archaeological Institute of America’s website. You can also gain field school experience through lower-cost “Passport in Time” programs offered through the U.S. Forest Service.
However, Gifford-Gonzalez recommends that students go out on an archaeological dig before they go to school. “You need to find out whether you’re really cut out for archaeology. [On a dig,] you’ll either be too hot or too cold. You may have to camp out and eat monotonous food. You’re expected to work collaboratively. It’s not just about digging square holes in the ground. Sometimes people who have loved the theory and abstract of the classroom find they don’t love the actual job.”
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Archaeologist
Southeastern Archaeological Research, Inc. “SEARCH”
Miami, FL, USA
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SEARCH has an opening for a full-time Archaeologist based in Miami, FL to support multiple archaeological monitoring, survey, and excavation projects related to transportation infrastructure …
Posted 17 days ago
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Archaeologist
Dudek
Pasadena, CA, USA
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The archaeologist should have experience with survey, excavation, and preparation of technical reports and environmental document sections. Should have regional experience in regulations and current …
Posted 61 days ago
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Cultural Resources Field Archaeologist
HBK Engineering, LLC
The Woodlands, TX, USA
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General Description Work may include various archaeological projects, including pedestrian surveys, shovel testing, site recording, monitoring, mapping, and hand excavation. Associate will be …
Posted 39 days ago