How much do Anthropologists and Archeologists make?
The median pay for Anthropologists and Archeologists in the United States is $70,770 per year — about $34.02 per hour. Entry-level positions start near $49,050, while the most experienced professionals in the top 10% earn $108,060.
That is $9,380 more than the median across all occupations in BLS data ($61,390).
Anthropologists and Archeologists salary range by percentile
Half of all Anthropologists and Archeologists earn between $59,400 and $89,670 a year.
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $49,050 | $23.58 | |
| 25th percentile (early career) | $59,400 | $28.56 | |
| 50th percentile (median) | $70,770 | $34.02 | |
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $89,670 | $43.11 | |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $108,060 | $51.95 |
Highest-paying states for Anthropologists and Archeologists
Where you work matters more than almost anything else. Massachusetts leads the country for Anthropologists and Archeologists pay at $121,300 a year, followed by Nebraska ($94,520) and Connecticut ($91,420). At the other end, Kansas posts the lowest median at $41,870 — a gap of $79,430 for the same job, driven by local demand, industry mix, and cost of living.
| # | State | Median salary | Hourly | vs national |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Massachusetts | $121,300 | $58.32 | +71% |
| 2 | Nebraska | $94,520 | $45.44 | +34% |
| 3 | Connecticut | $91,420 | $43.95 | +29% |
| 4 | Alaska | $89,810 | $43.18 | +27% |
| 5 | Idaho | $88,710 | $42.65 | +25% |
Anthropologists and Archeologists salary in every state
Official BLS state-level figures across 45 states and territories. Click a state for the full local breakdown.
Workforce and education
About 9,000 people work as Anthropologists and Archeologists in the United States. The mean (average) wage is $75,620 — above the median, which means high earners pull the average up. On qualifications: a doctoral or professional degree (8 or more years of higher education) is required, per O*NET occupation data.
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