How to become an Anthropologist or Archeologist
Official title: Anthropologists and Archeologists
Also called: American Indian Policy Specialist, Applied Anthropologist, Applied Cultural Anthropologist, Archaeologist, Communication and Folklore Specialist, Forensic Anthropologist, Historical Archaeologist, Research Archaeologist, Researcher
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.
Main tasks
- 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.
- Train others in the application of ethnographic research methods to solve problems in organizational effectiveness, communications, technology development, policy making, and program planning.
- Identify culturally specific beliefs and practices affecting health status and access to services for distinct populations and communities, in collaboration with medical and public health officials.
- Apply traditional ecological knowledge and assessments of culturally distinctive land and resource management institutions to assist in the resolution of conflicts over habitat protection and resource enhancement.
How to become one
To enter the occupation, anthropologists and archeologists typically need at least a master's degree in anthropology or archeology. Employers may prefer to hire candidates who have experience doing fieldwork in their discipline.
Typical education to start: Master's degree
Read the full guide from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
Ways in
- College: Medicine & Dentistry degrees, Offered by 23 universities in the US
Pay · Outlook · AI and this job
- Median pay: $70,770 a year The middle half earn $59,400 to $89,670.
- About 10,200 people work in this job now, and about 10,800 are projected by 2035. (+6%)
- People already use generative AI for some of this work. Microsoft Research rates its AI applicability as medium.
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Questions people ask
How do I become an Anthropologist or Archeologist?
To enter the occupation, anthropologists and archeologists typically need at least a master's degree in anthropology or archeology. Employers may prefer to hire candidates who have experience doing fieldwork in their discipline.
How much does an Anthropologist or Archeologist earn in the US?
Median full-time pay is $70,770 a year (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics). The middle half earn $59,400 to $89,670.
Is an Anthropologist or Archeologist a growing career in the US?
Yes. Employment is projected to grow 6% by 2035, from about 10,200 to about 10,800 people (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics).
Do you need a degree to become an Anthropologist or Archeologist?
Usually. 90% of people in this job hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
Will AI change the work of an Anthropologist or Archeologist?
People already use generative AI for some of this work. Microsoft Research rates its AI applicability as medium.
Sources
- Microsoft Research: Working with AI: AI applicability by occupation (2025-12-22 (built on O*NET 29.0)), CC BY 4.0, retrieved 2026-10-03
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Employment Projections (2025-35 (released 2026-08-27)), Public domain (BLS), retrieved 2026-10-03
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Occupational Outlook Handbook (2025-35 edition (published 2026-08-27)), Public domain (BLS); photographs excluded, retrieved 2026-10-03
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025), Public domain (BLS), retrieved 2026-10-03
Updated 2026-10-03
This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET is a trademark of USDOL/ETA.