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Science

Anthropologists and Archeologists

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.

Median salary (BLS)

$70,770

10th–90th percentile (BLS)

$49k – $108k

Job outlook

+4% (faster than average)

AI exposure

Early-career check: graduates of the matching programs below typically earn $119,000 ten years after starting college — an early-career figure, vs. the all-experience BLS median above. Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard.

Plan a path to Anthropologists and Archeologists

Qualification costsStack incomeBest cities/statesSchool ROIJob-posting fitTailored resume

Education

Typical entry: Master's degree

Plan my path to this →

Typical progression

  1. Anthropologists and Archeologists Intern

    Internship

    $36,000

    ~4 mos to advance

  2. Junior Anthropologists and Archeologists

    Entry / Junior

    $49,050

    ~2 yrs to advance

  3. Anthropologists and Archeologists

    Established

    $70,770

    ~3 yrs to advance

  4. Senior Anthropologists and Archeologists

    Senior

    $89,415

Internships are a common on-ramp here — they speed up landing that first role and improve your odds, which is why the Safe and High-ceiling plans build one in.

Key skills

A typical day

  • •Collect information and make judgments through observation, interviews, and review of documents.
  • •Teach or mentor undergraduate and graduate students in anthropology or archeology.
  • •Write about and present research findings for a variety of specialized and general audiences.
  • •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.
  • •Create data records for use in describing and analyzing social patterns and processes, using photography, videography, and audio recordings.

Fields of study

Any field

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