Anthropologist and Archeologist Salary
Anthropologists and Archeologists earn a median $70,770 a year nationally. Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations
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.
- Typical education
- Master's degree
- Work experience
- None required
- On-the-job training
- None
- Job outlook, 2025–35
- +6.0% (faster than average)
- Openings per year
- 800
- Self-employed
- 9%
Employment of anthropologists and archeologists is projected to grow 6.0% from 2025 to 2035, faster than the 3.5% average for all occupations. About 800 openings are expected each year, on average, including jobs left by workers who retire or switch careers.
Source: BLS Standard Occupational Classification and Employment Projections, 2025–35.
Anthropologist and Archeologist take-home pay calculator
Starts at the national median. Pick your state to see your real paycheck.
- Federal income tax$6,739
- Social Security (6.2%)$4,388
- Medicare (1.45%)$1,026
- Texas income tax$0
- Take-home pay$58,617
Marginal rate: 22% federal + 0.00% state
Pay by experience
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home (no state tax) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $49,050 | $23.58 | $41,592 |
| 25th percentile | $59,400 | $28.56 | $49,908 |
| Median (50th) | $70,770 | $34.02 | $58,617 |
| 75th percentile | $89,670 | $43.11 | $71,913 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $108,060 | $51.95 | $84,850 |
Anthropologist and Archeologist salary by state
| State | Median | 1-yr change | Take-home | Range | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Massachusetts | $121,300 | +13.9% | $88,320 | $78,750 – $126,420 | 80 |
| Nebraska | $94,520 | +1.9% | $71,904 | $50,440 – $131,270 | 40 |
| Connecticut | $91,420 | +99.5% | $69,691 | $46,550 – $117,070 | — |
| Alaska | $89,810 | −3.3% | $72,011 | $62,550 – $130,270 | 130 |
| Idaho | $88,710 | +20.7% | $67,644 | $63,130 – $104,250 | 170 |
| Oregon | $84,970 | +6.5% | $62,001 | $63,130 – $119,570 | 240 |
| Hawaii | $84,530 | −4.4% | $63,403 | $60,530 – $143,840 | 210 |
| Virginia | $80,230 | +20.8% | $61,473 | $47,420 – $107,620 | 320 |
| Pennsylvania | $79,660 | +6.0% | $62,425 | $49,750 – $99,560 | 130 |
| Montana | $79,420 | +9.5% | $61,576 | $60,900 – $110,190 | 80 |
| Wyoming | $76,400 | +19.5% | $62,577 | $40,070 – $100,420 | 80 |
| Alabama | $75,690 | +10.1% | $58,558 | $40,960 – $82,880 | 170 |
| Washington | $74,790 | −3.5% | $61,445 | $54,560 – $116,210 | 260 |
| Utah | $73,920 | +1.9% | $58,472 | $53,380 – $103,380 | 120 |
| North Carolina | $73,130 | −1.0% | $57,868 | $52,370 – $109,300 | 200 |
| California | $72,240 | −2.5% | $56,145 | $55,140 – $104,770 | 2,060 |
| Kentucky | $72,230 | +3.0% | $57,233 | $41,650 – $106,330 | 70 |
| Oklahoma | $71,740 | +23.2% | $56,616 | $46,070 – $97,470 | 90 |
| Colorado | $68,620 | +5.7% | $54,793 | $42,300 – $116,060 | 250 |
| New Mexico | $68,180 | +4.2% | $54,756 | $47,840 – $98,530 | 230 |
| Texas | $67,700 | +6.0% | $56,457 | $57,340 – $109,270 | 430 |
| Iowa | $67,270 | +17.5% | $54,250 | $47,770 – $94,290 | 40 |
| New York | $67,220 | +27.3% | $53,086 | $40,110 – $114,880 | 120 |
| Missouri | $66,930 | −23.0% | $53,707 | $63,130 – $100,420 | 80 |
| New Jersey | $66,230 | +9.2% | $53,284 | $56,320 – $101,810 | 140 |
| Minnesota | $65,920 | +5.9% | $52,188 | $48,390 – $102,910 | 140 |
| Arizona | $65,290 | +7.7% | $53,217 | $49,500 – $105,060 | 500 |
| Michigan | $64,700 | −5.1% | $51,667 | $60,270 – $97,470 | — |
| Nevada | $64,390 | −11.6% | $53,917 | $55,320 – $99,640 | 230 |
| North Dakota | $63,830 | +30.3% | $53,467 | $46,730 – $87,310 | — |
| Indiana | $63,730 | +1.4% | $51,537 | $46,180 – $94,490 | 70 |
| South Carolina | $63,130 | −1.3% | $50,274 | $51,310 – $100,420 | 50 |
| South Dakota | $63,130 | +1.9% | $52,905 | $50,110 – $97,470 | 40 |
| Wisconsin | $63,130 | +5.3% | $50,908 | $33,430 – $97,470 | 40 |
| Arkansas | $62,160 | −14.3% | $49,914 | $49,430 – $100,420 | 60 |
| New Hampshire | $61,160 | — | $51,322 | $47,590 – $92,600 | 40 |
| Tennessee | $60,310 | +17.2% | $50,639 | $43,450 – $93,370 | 160 |
| Illinois | $59,560 | +3.1% | $47,233 | $50,280 – $90,660 | 140 |
| Florida | $59,270 | −4.2% | $49,803 | $44,660 – $95,180 | 620 |
| Ohio | $59,160 | +25.0% | $48,871 | $40,580 – $79,750 | 70 |
| Georgia | $58,990 | +20.8% | $47,140 | $45,750 – $99,030 | 150 |
| West Virginia | $54,340 | +19.0% | $44,129 | $37,020 – $106,330 | 50 |
| Maryland | $54,160 | −15.4% | $43,489 | $46,760 – $105,420 | 220 |
| Louisiana | $47,750 | +8.1% | $39,501 | $40,490 – $103,380 | 110 |
| Kansas | $41,870 | −1.9% | $34,286 | $36,400 – $63,130 | 60 |
Related jobs
| Job | Median salary | Education | Growth 2025–35 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Historian | $76,750 | Master's degree | +3.0% |
| Social Scientists and Related Workers, All Other | $101,110 | Bachelor's degree | -0.2% |
| Geographer | $102,040 | Bachelor's degree | -2.1% |
| Political Scientist | $142,080 | Master's degree | -2.0% |
| Survey Researcher | $69,460 | Master's degree | -4.8% |
| Urban and Regional Planner | $89,320 | Master's degree | +3.9% |
| School Psychologist | $95,990 | Master's degree | +0.8% |
| Clinical and Counseling Psychologist | $100,580 | Doctoral or professional degree | +11.7% |
| Sociologist | $106,030 | Master's degree | +3.8% |
| Psychologists, All Other | $110,840 | Master's degree | +2.3% |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a anthropologist and archeologist make?
The national median salary for anthropologists and archeologists is $70,770 a year ($34.02 an hour). The lowest-paid 10% earn under $49,050 and the top 10% earn over $108,060. Source: BLS, May 2025.
Which state pays anthropologists and archeologists the most?
Massachusetts has the highest median pay at $121,300.
How many anthropologists and archeologists are there in the U.S.?
About 8,990 people work as anthropologists and archeologists nationwide.