Salary, Job Description, How To Become One, and Quiz
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Archeologists
Archeologists conduct research to reconstruct record of past human life and culture from human remains, artifacts, architectural features, and structures recovered through excavation, underwater recovery, or other means of discovery.
Table of contents
What they do
Archeologists conduct research to reconstruct record of past human life and culture from human remains, artifacts, architectural features, and structures recovered through excavation, underwater recovery, or other means of discovery.
- Study objects and structures recovered by excavation to identify, date, and authenticate them and to interpret their significance.
- Research, survey, or assess sites of past societies and cultures in search of answers to specific research questions.
- Write, present, and publish reports that record site history, methodology, and artifact analysis results, along with recommendations for conserving and interpreting findings.
- Describe artifacts’ physical properties or attributes, such as the materials from which artifacts are made and their size, shape, function, and decoration.
Typical day
On a daily basis, Archeologists teach archeology at colleges and universities. They study objects and structures recovered by excavation to identify, date, and authenticate them and to interpret their significance.
A typical day for an Archeologist will also include:
- Research, survey, or assess sites of past societies and cultures in search of answers to specific research questions.
- Compare findings from one site with archeological data from other sites to find similarities or differences.
- Describe artifacts’ physical properties or attributes, such as the materials from which artifacts are made and their size, shape, function, and decoration.
- Develop and test theories concerning the origin and development of past cultures.
- Write, present, and publish reports that record site history, methodology, and artifact analysis results, along with recommendations for conserving and interpreting findings.
Other responsibilities
Besides their typical day, Archeologists also research, survey, or assess sites of past societies and cultures in search of answers to specific research questions. They may also describe artifacts’ physical properties or attributes, such as the materials from which artifacts are made and their size, shape, function, and decoration.
On a weekly to monthly basis, Archeologists consult site reports, existing artifacts, and topographic maps to identify archeological sites. They might also teach archeology at colleges and universities.
In addition, they study objects and structures recovered by excavation to identify, date, and authenticate them and to interpret their significance.
Although specific duties may vary, many of them present findings from archeological research to peers and the general public.
To some Archeologists, it is also their responsibility to compare findings from one site with archeological data from other sites to find similarities or differences.
What is the job like
Job satisfaction
Is this job meaningful
66% said they were satisfied with their job and 51% said they found their job meaningful.
I have worked as an archaeological technician, you need a few years of experience at this before being promoted to an archaeologist. The advanced duties of an archaeologist include extra paperwork and dealing with clients, all else is mostly the same.
What does your typical day look like?
Wake before sunrise, eat breakfast in whatever budget hotel chain you’re staying in. Pack a lunch. Leave the hotel and drive to the site. Proceed with work. This mostly consists of pedestrian surveys, sometimes with small tests to see if any artifacts are within the first layers of soil. Project areas can vary in size. Most projects are due to impending construction, as government regulations require an archaeological survey prior to construction commencing. Work continues for 10 or more hours, often until it grows dark enough that work is no longer feasible. There is a lunch break, timing varies depending on project and company. Eat dinner at one of the four restaurants in the small town you’re stuck in for the next few weeks. Go to sleep early, it all happens again tomorrow. Schedules are sometimes 5 or 6 day weeks, but often come in the form of 10 days on, 4 off.
Pros
Single occupancy hotel rooms, per-diem, time and a half for overtime (unless your company is terrible, which many are).
Cons
Work is very seasonal in most parts of the country, and thus you will frequently be looking for new projects. Many archaeologists refer to themselves as “shovel-bums” for this reason, as for much of the year they are quasi-nomadic, and rarely stay in their own homes. Many are borderline alcoholics. Pay is far less than the construction and energy workers who often end up on the project with you, especially if you’re doing the monitoring. Hours are long, the pay is higher than minimum wage, but less than the degrees required would suggest, at least while starting out. Working outside can be very pretty, and you will see a lot of beautiful sunrises and sunsets. You will also walk into thornbushes, have to navigate more corn and wheat and soy fields than anyone should have to, get attacked by bugs constantly, and deal with extremes of heat and cold. Work will sometimes stop due to inclement weather, but often won’t. (Thunderstorms will cause a pause due to OSHA, but rain alone is worked through). Also, when working in rural areas, landowners are sometimes less than hospitable. Many are friendly, but you will probably get a gun pointed at you sooner or later. Always wear high vis (it’s required), especially during the hunting season. This refers mostly to commercial archaeologists working in the United States.
The goal of most is to work for a university doing research, which still has long work hours, but you get the joy of discovering new and interesting things, and writing about them, rather than fulfilling the often shifting or incomprehensible whims of corporate clients. The ideal job is working for the government, or becoming a tenured professor, but both of those are incredibly competitive. Also, not all archaeological companies are created equal, and some will stiff you on breaks, per diem, housing, travel reimbursements, or all of the above.
Pros
Suitable for people who like to solve problems mentally.
Suitable for people who value achievements and are results-oriented.
Very good salary.
Demand for this career is growing very fast.
Cons
Not suitable for people who like to help and teach others.
It is very hard to get into this career. Extensive skills, knowledge, and experience are required for this career.
Long working hours (More than 40 hours per week).
How much do they make
Average salary
Average hourly wage
Entry-level Archeologists with little to no experience can expect to make anywhere between $40,800 to $51,170 per year or $20 to $25 per hour.
| Salary by experience | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Highest (Top 10%) | $102,770 | $49 |
| Senior (Top 25%) | $84,560 | $41 |
| Median | $66,130 | $32 |
| Junior (Bottom 25%) | $51,170 | $25 |
| No experience (Bottom 10%) | $40,800 | $20 |
This table shows the top 10 highest paying industries for Archeologists based on their average annual salary.
| Salary by industry | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Federal Executive Branch | $82040 | $39.44 |
| Architectural, Engineering, and Related Services | $73480 | $35.33 |
| Local Government | $73180 | $35.18 |
| Scientific Research and Development Services | $67240 | $32.33 |
| Management, Scientific, and Technical Consulting Services | $66540 | $31.99 |
| Museums, Historical Sites, and Similar Institutions | $64040 | $30.79 |
| State Government | $61340 | $29.49 |
| Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools | $58300 | $28.03 |
View more salary by industries here.
Where can they work
Where can Archeologists work? Here is a table showing the top 10 largest employers of Archeologists including the average salary in that industry.
| Employers | Total Employed | Annual Salary | Hourly Wages |
|---|---|---|---|
| Management, Scientific, and Technical Consulting Services | 2290 | $66540 | $31.99 |
| Scientific Research and Development Services | 1730 | $67240 | $32.33 |
| Federal Executive Branch | 1450 | $82040 | $39.44 |
| Architectural, Engineering, and Related Services | 710 | $73480 | $35.33 |
| State Government | 340 | $61340 | $29.49 |
| Local Government | 170 | $73180 | $35.18 |
| Museums, Historical Sites, and Similar Institutions | 130 | $64040 | $30.79 |
| Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools | $58300 | $28.03 |
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What is the work day like
Working hours
Working schedule
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Telephone
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Group discussions
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Public speaking
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What is the work environment like
Office-style environment
Indoors in an environmentally controlled condition
Warehouse-style environment
Indoors in a non-controlled environmental condition such as a warehouse
Outdoors
Outdoors exposed to all weather conditions
Outdoors – Under Cover
Outdoors but under cover (e.g. structure with roof but no walls)
How to become one
Difficulty to become one
Required level of education
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Relevant majors
Relevant work experience
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On The Job Training
How much on the job training do you need to perform the job?
Should you become one
Best personality type for this career
People with this personality likes to work with ideas that require an extensive amount of thinking. They prefer work that requires them to solve problems mentally.
People with The Builder personality type likes practical and hands-on work. They prefer working with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery.
People with The Thinker personality likes to work with ideas that require an extensive amount of thinking. They prefer work that requires them to solve problems mentally.
People with The Artist personality likes to work with designs and patterns. They prefer activities that require self-expression and prefer work that can be done without following a clear set of rules.
People with The Helper personality type likes to work with people and in teams. They prefer work that allows them to build relationships with others.
People with The Leader personality likes to start and work on projects. They also like leading people and making many decisions.
People with The Organizer personality type likes to follow set procedures and routines. They prefer working with data and details more than with ideas.
You can read more about these career personality types here.
People who are suitable for this job tend to like working with ideas and require an extensive amount of thinking. They like searching for facts and figuring out problems mentally.
They also like work activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions. They like working with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery.
Take this quiz to see if this is the right career for you.
Work Values
Which values are the most important to a person’s satisfaction for this job?
You are someone who is results oriented. You prefer work that allows you to utilize your skills and abilities while at the same time giving you a sense of accomplishment.
You are someone who values job security, steady employment, and good working conditions. You also prefer work that keeps you busy all the time with something different to do every day.
You are someone who values job advancement and leadership roles. You prefer work that receives recognition for the work you do and jobs that are looked up to by others in the company and your community.
You are someone who likes to provide a service to others. You prefer a work environment where you can work with your co-workers in a friendly non-competitive environment.
You are someone who values a company that stands behind their employees. You prefer a work environment where everyone is treated fairly and is being supported by the company.
You are someone who likes to work on your own and make your own decisions. You prefer work that requires little supervision and are allowed to try out your own ideas.
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