How much does an archaeologist make?
a year · about $34 an hour
A typical archaeologist in the United States makes $70,770 a year, about $34 an hour, about the same as a typical US worker (median, May 2025, US Bureau of Labor Statistics).
What do they do?
On a survey day, an archaeologist may map a site and use a trowel and sieve to collect and record clues. In the lab, they measure and compare finds, then write a report about what they reveal.
Did you know? Surprise: U.S. archaeologists spend more time analyzing and writing in labs and offices than working in the field.
Is that a lot?
Compared with jobs you knowIf 100 people had this job
Most earn between $49,050 and $108,060How do you become one?
In the U.S., earn a bachelor's in anthropology or archaeology and train at a supervised field school. Most professional jobs need a master's; some need a Ph.D., while bachelor's graduates can start as assistants.
School needed: Graduate degree or long training
Good for people who like figuring things out and creating
Why does pay differ?
In the United States, pay varies with experience and skills, location, and employer type—federal agencies, consulting firms, research groups, and universities have different pay levels. Specialty, responsibility, and hours can matter too; fieldwork may bring long, irregular days.
Where does it pay most?
Highest in Massachusetts ($121,300), lowest in Kansas ($41,870).
See every state
Top 5 and bottom 3 states, typical (median) yearly pay.
Jobs like this
Data table and sources
| Lower earner (10th from bottom) | Typical person (median) | Higher earner (10th from top) | People in this job |
|---|---|---|---|
| $49,050 | $70,770 | $108,060 | about 9,000 |
| State | Typical person (median) | People in this job |
|---|---|---|
| Massachusetts | $121,300 | about 80 |
| Nebraska | $94,520 | about 40 |
| Connecticut | $91,420 | — |
| Alaska | $89,810 | about 130 |
| Idaho | $88,710 | about 170 |
Official definition: 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.
Source: US Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS May 2025 (bls.gov); descriptions and related jobs from O*NET 31.0. Figures as of May 2025, full-time yearly pay (hourly × 2,080 hours). bls.gov/oes · O*NET OnLine
Pages used for the text
- www.bls.gov/ooh/life-physical-and-social-science/anthropologists-and-archeologis
- saa.org/Member/SAAMember/About-Archaeology/Archaeology-as-a-Career.aspx
- www.nps.gov/subjects/archeology/career-guide.htm
- www.bls.gov/careeroutlook/2015/article/wage-differences.htm
- www.bls.gov/careeroutlook/2015/article/pdf/wage-differences.pdf
Data: US BLS OEWS, May 2025 · 1 USD = 150 JPY