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.
Anthropologists and Archeologists
SOC: 19-3091 O*NET: 19-3091.00
Median Salary
$64,910
per year
Job Growth
➡️ 3.7%
Average (2024-2034)
Annual Openings
0.8
projected jobs/year
Education Level
Bachelor's degree plus work experience, or graduate degree
Job Zone 5
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.
What does a Anthropologists and Archeologists do?
How much can you earn?
Entry Level
$44,510
10th percentile
Early Career
$51,240
25th percentile
Median
$64,910
50th percentile
Experienced
$83,080
75th percentile
Top Earners
$104,510
90th percentile
National Salary Distribution
10th
$44,510
25th
$51,240
Middle 50%
MEDIAN
$64,910
Mean: $71,070
75th
$83,080
90th
$104,510
Middle 50% of earners
Median salary
Mean (average)
Key Insights
- •Salary range spans $60,000 from entry level to top earners
- •Middle 50% earn between $51,240 and $83,080
- •Salary spread is 49.1% around the median, showing high variation
- •Total national employment: 8,070 professionals
What's the job outlook?
Job Market Intelligence
Medium Demand
Market demand
Medium Risk
Automation risk
Current Employment
National Employment:8,800
Top Industries
Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services63.9%
Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services63.9%
Management, Scientific, and Technical Consulting Services31.8%
10-Year Outlook
Growth Rate:+3.7%
Annual Openings:800
Employment Projections
2024 (Current)8,800
Current
2034 (Projected)9,200
+3.7%
+300
Employment Change
+3.7%
Growth Rate
10
Year Projection
Growth Category: As fast as average
Geographic Salary & Employment Data
Explore where Anthropologists and Archeologists professionals work across the United States
Showing 15 of 44 locations
California
1,060 jobs$74,1001.12x
Arizona
620 jobs$60,6303.69x
Florida
390 jobs$61,9000.77x
New York
310 jobs$52,8100.62x
Oregon
300 jobs$79,7902.90x
Texas
290 jobs$63,8900.40x
Virginia
260 jobs$66,4101.22x
New Mexico
260 jobs$65,4105.73x
Colorado
260 jobs$64,9101.70x
Washington
250 jobs$77,4801.34x
Alabama
210 jobs$68,7601.96x
New Jersey
210 jobs$60,6300.92x
Idaho
200 jobs$73,4704.54x
Nevada
200 jobs$72,8202.50x
Illinois
170 jobs$57,7700.55x
Understanding the Data
Location Quotient (LQ):
- • LQ > 1.0: More jobs than national average
- • LQ = 1.0: Same as national average
- • LQ < 1.0: Fewer jobs than national average
Data Source:
Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2024
Key Growth Factors
- •Average growth expected
What skills do you need?
Top 10 Most Important Skills
#1
Writing
100%
#2
Speaking
94%
#3
Active Listening
86%
#4
Reading Comprehension
80%
#5
Critical Thinking
74%
#6
Active Learning
66%
#7
Complex Problem Solving
60%
#8
Monitoring
54%
#9
Learning Strategies
46%
#10
Judgment and Decision Making
40%
Skills Overview
Writing
advanced5.0
100%
Speaking
advanced4.7
94%
Active Listening
intermediate4.3
86%
Reading Comprehension
basic4.0
80%
Critical Thinking
intermediate3.7
74%
Active Learning
intermediate3.3
66%
Complex Problem Solving
advanced3.0
60%
Monitoring
basic2.7
54%
Skills are rated on a scale of 0-5, with 5 being the most important. The complexity level indicates how advanced the skill typically needs to be.
Filter:
Sort by:
Writing
advancedImportance100%
skills
5.0/5.0
Speaking
advancedImportance94%
skills
4.7/5.0
Active Listening
intermediateImportance86%
skills
4.3/5.0
Reading Comprehension
basicImportance80%
abilities
4.0/5.0
Critical Thinking
intermediateImportance74%
abilities
3.7/5.0
Active Learning
intermediateImportance66%
abilities
3.3/5.0
Complex Problem Solving
advancedImportance60%
abilities
3.0/5.0
Monitoring
basicImportance54%
skills
2.7/5.0
Learning Strategies
basicImportance46%
skills
2.3/5.0
Judgment and Decision Making
basicImportance40%
abilities
2.0/5.0
Highly Transferable Skills
These skills are valuable across multiple career paths, making career transitions easier:
Administrative Law Judges, Adjudicators, and Hearing Officers82%
5 shared skills
Agricultural Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary82%
5 shared skills
Precision Agriculture Technicians82%
5 shared skills
Urologists82%
5 shared skills
Animal Scientists82%
5 shared skills
Architects, Except Landscape and Naval82%
5 shared skills
Skills by Career Stage
Entry Level
Must Have:
- ✓Writing
- ✓Speaking
- ✓Active Listening
Learn on the Job:
- →Monitoring
- →Active Learning
- →Complex Problem Solving
Mid Career
Expected:
- ✓Writing
- ✓Speaking
- ✓Active Listening
- ✓Reading Comprehension
Senior Level
Mastery Required:
- ★Writing
- ★Speaking
- ★Active Listening
- ★Reading Comprehension
- ★Critical Thinking
Skill Development Tips
- •Focus on developing the top 5 skills first - they have the highest impact on career success
- •Transferable skills open doors to related careers and provide flexibility
- •Balance technical skills with soft skills for well-rounded professional development
- •Entry-level positions prioritize foundational skills that can be built upon over time
What technology will you use?
Technology & Digital Skills
Essential technology proficiencies for Anthropologists and Archeologists
Technology Intensity
Very High
Digital Literacy Requirements
This career requires expert digital literacy
1
Basic
2
Intermediate
3
Advanced
4
Expert
Key Digital Competencies:
Advanced software proficiencySystem architecture understandingAutomation and scriptingEmerging technology adaptationTechnical problem-solving
🔥
Hot Technologies in Demand
These technologies are currently trending and highly sought after in this field
IBM SPSS Statistics
🔥 Hot TechSAS
🔥 Hot TechThe MathWorks MATLAB
🔥 Hot TechAutodesk AutoCAD
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Access
🔥 Hot TechStructured query language SQL
🔥 Hot TechAdobe InDesign
🔥 Hot TechAdobe Acrobat
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft SharePoint
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Outlook
🔥 Hot TechESRI ArcGIS software
🔥 Hot TechAdobe Illustrator
🔥 Hot TechTechnology Stack
Technology Stack Overview
Key technologies used in this career
IBM SPSS Statistics
SAS
The MathWorks MATLAB
Autodesk AutoCAD
Microsoft Access
Structured query language SQL
Adobe InDesign
Adobe Acrobat
Microsoft SharePoint
Microsoft Outlook
ESRI ArcGIS software
Adobe Illustrator
📚 Technology Learning Resources
Recommended Certifications
- •Vendor-specific software certifications
- •Industry-recognized technology credentials
- •Professional development courses
Online Learning Platforms
- •LinkedIn Learning - Comprehensive technology courses
- •Coursera - University-level programs
- •Udemy - Practical skills training
💡 Technology Skill Development Tips
- •Focus on mastering hot technologies first - they're currently most in-demand
- •Build a portfolio demonstrating your proficiency with key tools and software
- •Stay current through continuous learning - technology evolves rapidly
- •Consider vendor certifications to validate your skills to employers
What's the work environment like?
🏗️
Location
MIXED
💪
Physical Demand
MODERATE
👥
Team Orientation
SOME TEAM
🤝
Customer Interaction
OCCASIONAL
💡Is This Work Environment Right for You?
Consider these factors when evaluating if you'll thrive in this work environment:
- •Are you comfortable working in mixed environments?
- •Can you meet moderate physical demands?
- •Do you enjoy some team team environments?
- •Are you comfortable working with safety protocols and protective equipment?
What are the key tasks?
Tasks & Responsibilities
21
Core Tasks
8
Daily Tasks
20
Work Activities
0
Emerging Tasks
Filter:
Sort by:
General Responsibilities (9)Analysis & Evaluation (3)Planning & Development (7)Documentation & Record-Keeping (1)Training & Development (1)
1
Study objects and structures recovered by excavation to identify, date, and authenticate them and to interpret their significance.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities100% perform100%
2
Collect information and make judgments through observation, interviews, and review of documents.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities97% perform98%
3
Research, survey, or assess sites of past societies and cultures in search of answers to specific research questions.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Analysis & Evaluation94% perform96%
4
Write about and present research findings for a variety of specialized and general audiences.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities91% perform94%
5
Describe artifacts' physical properties or attributes, such as the materials from which artifacts are made and their size, shape, function, and decoration.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities88% perform92%
6
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.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Planning & Development85% perform90%
7
Compare findings from one site with archeological data from other sites to find similarities or differences.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities82% perform88%
8
Record the exact locations and conditions of artifacts uncovered in diggings or surveys, using drawings and photographs as necessary.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Documentation & Record-Keeping79% perform86%
9
Assess archeological sites for resource management, development, or conservation purposes and recommend methods for site protection.
🟡Weekly
Importance:
Planning & Development76% perform84%
10
Gather and analyze artifacts and skeletal remains to increase knowledge of ancient cultures.
🟡Weekly
Importance:
Analysis & Evaluation73% perform82%
💡 Key Takeaways
- •Daily tasks focus primarily on general responsibilities activities
- •33% of tasks are performed by most workers in this occupation
- •Career advancement brings increased leadership and strategic responsibilities
What career paths are available?
Career Pathways
0
Advancement Opportunities
0
Lateral Move Options
0%
Avg. Salary Increase
Advancement Opportunities
Typical career progression paths from Anthropologists and Archeologists
💡 Career Planning Tips
- •Most successful advancement happens after 3-5 years of experience
- •Lateral moves can provide valuable cross-functional experience for future leadership roles
- •Focus on developing skills that are transferable across multiple career paths
- •Consider industry trends when planning long-term career moves
Is this career right for you?
Personality & Values Fit
Is This Career Right for You?
Anthropologists and Archeologists professionals typically have a IRA Holland code and highly value achievement
IInvestigative
RRealistic
AArtistic
Important Personality Traits
Work styles that contribute to success as a Anthropologists and Archeologists
Attention to Detail
CriticalAttention to Detail
Importance Level4.70
Integrity
CriticalIntegrity
Importance Level4.65
Analytical Thinking
CriticalAnalytical Thinking
Importance Level4.50
Persistence
Very ImportantPersistence
Importance Level4.45
Adaptability/Flexibility
Very ImportantAdaptability/Flexibility
Importance Level4.35
Initiative
Very ImportantInitiative
Importance Level4.30
Complete Work Styles Profile
Attention to Detail
4.7
Integrity
4.7
Analytical Thinking
4.5
Persistence
4.5
Adaptability/Flexibility
4.3
Initiative
4.3
Achievement/Effort
4.2
Dependability
4.2
Concern for Others
4.1
Independence
4.1
💡 Tips for Career Fit Success
- •While personality fit is important, skills can be developed with practice and training
- •Consider informational interviews to better understand the day-to-day personality requirements
- •Work environments vary by employer - research specific companies for cultural fit
- •Your interests and values may evolve - reassess periodically throughout your career
What education is required?
Education Level
Bachelor's degree plus work experience, or graduate degree
Typical duration: 4 years
Preparation Level
Job Zone 5
Extensive Preparation Needed
Experience Needed
Extensive skill, knowledge, and experience needed
📚 Education Requirement
Required Level:Bachelor's degree plus work experience, or graduate degree
Most of these occupations require graduate school. These may include master's, doctoral, or professional degrees.
Training:
Extensive training and work experience required
💼 Experience Requirement
Extensive skill, knowledge, and experience needed
Common pathways to gain experience:
- • Master's or doctoral degree
- • Extensive work experience in the field
- • State licensure or professional certification
5
Job Zone Five: Extensive Preparation Needed
Most of these occupations require graduate school. These may include master's, doctoral, or professional degrees.
Master's or doctoral degreeExtensive work experience in the fieldState licensure or professional certification
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