How long does the training take?

Typically about six years of study in total. That is the usual route rather than a rule — people arrive by other paths all the time.

How much do anthropologists and archeologists make?

The US median is $70,770 a year, meaning half earn more and half less. Pay varies widely by state, employer and experience.

Do you need a degree for this work?

Yes — a degree is the usual way in.

Where can you train for this work?

624 US colleges, community colleges and trade schools award credentials in a matching program. See which ones →

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Anthropologists and archeologists: pay, training and the programs that lead there

Science · SOC 19-3091

$70,770US median pay, 2025

+6%Projected growth, 2025–35

800Openings per year

DegreeUsual way in

How you get in

A degree is the usual way in.

Master's degree
Work in: anthropologists and archeologists

Programs that lead to this job

These are the federal program codes (CIP) that the Department of Education maps to this occupation, and how many US colleges, community colleges or trade schools report awarding credentials in each.

Program	Code	Schools
Anthropology, General	CIP 45.0201	533
Archeology	CIP 45.0301	57
Sociology and Anthropology	CIP 45.1301	50
Human Biology	CIP 30.2701	33
Ancient Studies/Civilization	CIP 30.2201	30
Anthropology, Other	CIP 45.0299	20
Medical/Health Humanities	CIP 51.3204	20
Medical Anthropology	CIP 45.0203	13
Cultural Anthropology	CIP 45.0204	10
Physical and Biological Anthropology	CIP 45.0202	9
Forensic Anthropology	CIP 45.0205	6
Geoarcheaology	CIP 30.4201	1
Linguistics and Anthropology	CIP 30.4701	1
Classical and Ancient Studies, Other	CIP 30.2299	0
Geography and Anthropology	CIP 45.1501	0

See the 624 schools that offer these programs →

Common questions

How long does the training take?: Typically about six years of study in total. That is the usual route rather than a rule — people arrive by other paths all the time.
How much do anthropologists and archeologists make?: The US median is $70,770 a year, meaning half earn more and half less. Pay varies widely by state, employer and experience.
Do you need a degree for this work?: Yes — a degree is the usual way in.
Where can you train for this work?: 624 US colleges, community colleges and trade schools award credentials in a matching program. See which ones →

Pay and growth are national figures. What you earn depends on where you work, your employer and your experience, and these are projections rather than promises. Education requirements describe how most people enter the job, not a rule — plenty of people take another route.

Pay, growth, openings and entry requirements: US Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections 2025–35. Program-to-occupation mapping: NCES CIP–SOC crosswalk (2020/2018). School counts: IPEDS completions, 2022–23.

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