California Median
$72,240
per year
Hourly Rate
$34.73
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+2% vs US median
US median $70,770
State Rank
#16 of 45
2,060 employed here
How much do Anthropologists and Archeologists make in California?
Anthropologists and Archeologists working in California earn a median salary of $72,240 per year, or about $34.73 per hour. That is 2% above the national median of $70,770 for this occupation.
Within California, entry-level pay starts around $55,140 while the top 10% make $104,770 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $62,620 and $87,940 a year.
Anthropologists and Archeologists salary range in California
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $55,140 | $26.51 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $62,620 | $30.11 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $72,240 | $34.73 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $87,940 | $42.28 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $104,770 | $50.37 |
|
How California compares
California ranks 16th out of 45 states and territories for Anthropologists and Archeologists pay. The top 5 best-paying states:
Anthropologists and Archeologists salary in other states
Massachusetts $121,300Nebraska $94,520Connecticut $91,420Alaska $89,810Idaho $88,710Oregon $84,970Hawaii $84,530Virginia $80,230Pennsylvania $79,660Montana $79,420Wyoming $76,400Alabama $75,690Washington $74,790Utah $73,920North Carolina $73,130Kentucky $72,230Oklahoma $71,740Colorado $68,620New Mexico $68,180Texas $67,700Iowa $67,270New York $67,220Missouri $66,930New Jersey $66,230Minnesota $65,920Arizona $65,290Michigan $64,700Nevada $64,390North Dakota $63,830Indiana $63,730South Carolina $63,130South Dakota $63,130Wisconsin $63,130Arkansas $62,160New Hampshire $61,160Tennessee $60,310Illinois $59,560Florida $59,270Ohio $59,160Georgia $58,990West Virginia $54,340Maryland $54,160Louisiana $47,750Kansas $41,870
Working as Anthropologists and Archeologists in California
Nationally, about 9,000 people work as Anthropologists and Archeologists in the United States. A doctoral or professional degree (8 or more years of higher education) is required.
Considering a move? Compare California pay ($72,240) against the highest-paying state above, and weigh the difference against housing and everyday costs — a smaller paycheck in a cheaper state can stretch further.
Frequently asked questions
How much do Anthropologists and Archeologists make in California?
The median Anthropologists and Archeologists salary in California is $72,240 per year, or about $34.73 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $55,140 at the entry level to $104,770 for the top 10% of earners.
How does California pay compare to the national average?
California pays Anthropologists and Archeologists about 2% more than the national median of $70,770. California ranks 16th out of 45 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is California a good state for Anthropologists and Archeologists?
Yes on pay — California pays above the national median for this occupation, at $72,240 a year. About 2,060 Anthropologists and Archeologists are employed in California. Weigh that against local housing and living costs before moving.
What are the highest-paying jobs in California?
The highest-paying occupations in California include Ophthalmologist, Except Pediatric ($400,150), Neurologist ($357,080), Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers ($353,900), based on median annual pay in official BLS state estimates.
← See the national Anthropologists and Archeologists salary report
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Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), Unknown vintage. Education requirements: O*NET (U.S. Department of Labor). State figures are official BLS state-level wage estimates. Where BLS suppresses a state percentile, it is scaled from the official national distribution. Individual pay varies by employer, metro area, and experience.