Anthropologists and archeologists
Salary, job outlook, AI risk & career information
Anthropologists and archeologists in the United States earn a median salary of $70,770 per year — about $34 per hour, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Roughly 9K people work in this occupation nationwide, with projected employment growth of +4%.
Median Salary
$70,770
~$34/hr · ~$5,898/mo
US Jobs
9K
As fast as average
AI & Automation Risk
5/10
Moderate
AI & Automation Risk
Moderate 5/10
This occupation is a hybrid of physical fieldwork and digital knowledge work. While AI can significantly automate data analysis, pattern recognition in artifacts, and report writing, it cannot replace the physical requirements of excavation, site surveying, and in-person ethnographic observation.
Salary by City — What You Actually Take Home
Real purchasing power = salary adjusted for cost of living. Higher = more money in your pocket.
| City | Local Salary | Cost of Living | Real Purchasing Power |
|---|---|---|---|
| Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NHBEST VALUE | $117,080 | Above avg (108.3) | $108,141 |
| Boise City, ID | $104,250 | Average (98.4) | $105,955 |
| Anchorage, AK | $94,210 | Above avg (105.4) | $89,366 |
| Durham-Chapel Hill, NC | $80,270 | Average (97.6) | $82,267 |
| Richmond, VA | $80,230 | Average (97.9) | $81,986 |
| Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA | $85,160 | Above avg (105.4) | $80,781 |
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $87,400 | Above avg (108.9) | $80,269 |
| Jacksonville, FL | $77,830 | Average (99.5) | $78,234 |
| Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD | $79,780 | Average (102.6) | $77,793 |
| St. Louis, MO-IL | $72,740 | Below avg (95.1) | $76,498 |
| Tucson, AZ | $73,860 | Below avg (96.9) | $76,226 |
| Urban Honolulu, HI | $84,530 | Above avg (111.0) | $76,180 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $79,530 | Above avg (106.7) | $74,557 |
| San Juan-Bayamon-Caguas, PR | $74,400 | Average (100.0) | $74,400 |
| Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos, TX | $70,690 | Average (98.1) | $72,084 |
Cost of Living Index: 100 = US national average. Below 100 = cheaper. Above 100 = more expensive.
Education & Requirements
Education Required
Master's degree
10-Year Growth
+4% (As fast as average)
Hourly Rate
~$34/hr
Monthly Income
~$5,898/mo
Related Careers
Data: Bureau of Labor Statistics OOH (2024)