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Anthropologist Jobs (NOW HIRING)

The Forensic Anthropologist Postgraduate Research Associate supports the Department of Defense's personnel accounting efforts by conducting technical and scientific analysis, forensic testing, and ...

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How much do anthropologist jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 27, 2026, the average hourly pay for anthropologist in the United States is $18.18, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $16.11 and $19.23 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is an anthropologist?

An anthropologist is someone who studies and researches archaeological, sociohistorical, biological, and linguistic aspects of humanity. By analyzing and deciphering artifacts, past cultures, and languages, anthropologists gain a clearer understanding of how modern civilizations and behaviors came to be. Social issues, public policies, and even government and military protocol are influenced by anthropological studies and theories.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an anthropologist, and why are they important?

To thrive as an Anthropologist, you need a strong background in anthropology or a related field, research methodology, and data analysis, typically supported by at least a master's degree. Familiarity with qualitative and quantitative research tools, statistical software (such as SPSS or NVivo), and fieldwork techniques is essential. Excellent communication, cultural sensitivity, and critical thinking are crucial soft skills for engaging with diverse communities and interpreting complex data. These skills enable anthropologists to conduct ethical research, produce meaningful insights, and effectively share their findings with academic, public, or policy audiences.

What are some common challenges anthropologists face when conducting fieldwork, and how can they prepare for them?

Anthropologists often encounter challenges such as adapting to unfamiliar cultures, language barriers, and gaining the trust of local communities during fieldwork. Preparing involves thorough cultural research, learning basic language skills, and establishing strong ethical guidelines for respectful engagement. Flexibility and patience are also essential, as field conditions can be unpredictable and data collection may require adjusting research methods on the ground.

What is the difference between Anthropologist vs Archaeologist?

AspectAnthropologistArchaeologist
Required CredentialsBachelor's or Master's in Anthropology, Ph.D. often preferredBachelor's or Master's in Archaeology, Anthropology, or related field; advanced degrees common
Work EnvironmentUniversities, research institutions, cultural organizationsMuseums, excavation sites, research labs
Industry UsageAcademic research, cultural preservation, policy advisingExcavation, artifact analysis, site preservation

Anthropologists study human societies, cultures, and biological aspects, often working in academic or research settings. Archaeologists focus specifically on excavating and analyzing artifacts from historical sites. While both roles require knowledge of human history and culture, anthropologists have a broader scope, whereas archaeologists specialize in material remains. Understanding these differences helps in choosing the right career path or job search focus.

Is anthropology a high paying job?

Anthropologists' salaries vary depending on experience, specialization, and employment sector, with median annual wages around $62,000 in the United States. While some positions in academia or research may offer lower pay, those working in government, consulting, or with advanced degrees can earn higher salaries. Overall, anthropology is not typically considered a high-paying profession compared to other fields requiring similar education levels.

What jobs can an anthropologist get?

An anthropologist can work in fields such as cultural, archaeological, biological, or linguistic research, often employed by universities, museums, government agencies, or private organizations. Common roles include research analyst, cultural resource manager, museum curator, or policy advisor, often requiring fieldwork, data analysis, and strong communication skills.

Why kind of jobs can you get as an anthropologist?

Anthropologists can work in fields such as cultural, archaeological, biological, or linguistic research, often employed by universities, museums, government agencies, or private organizations. They may conduct fieldwork, analyze data, or consult on cultural or historical projects, requiring skills in research, analysis, and communication.

What cities are hiring for Anthropologist jobs?

Cities with the most Anthropologist job openings:

What are the most commonly searched types of Anthropologist jobs?

The most popular types of Anthropologist jobs are:

Who are the top companies hiring for Anthropologist jobs?

The top employers for Anthropologist jobs are:

What states have the most Anthropologist jobs?

States with the most job openings for Anthropologist jobs include:

Infographic showing various Anthropologist job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 18% Full Time, 79% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 1% Contract. Highlights an 98% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 1% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $37,814 per year, or $18.2 per hour.

INTERDISCIPLINARY HISTORIAN/ANTHROPOLOGIST/ARCHAEOLOGIST/ARCHITECT

USAJOBS - Search

Bangor, WA • On-site

$119K/yr

Full-time

Posted 17 days ago


Job description

You will serve as an INTERDISCIPLINARY HISTORIAN/ANTHROPOLOGIST/ARCHAEOLOGIST/ARCHITECT in the ENVIRONMENTAL DIVISION of NAVFAC NORTHWEST.
This is a Temporary recruitment NTE 5 years. Management may terminate action prior to NTE date. Position may be converted to permanent at management's discretion without further competition.
Qualifications:In addition to the Basic Requirements for this position, your resume must also demonstrate at least one year of specialized experience at or equivalent to the GS-12 grade level or pay band in the Federal service or equivalent experience in the private or public sector. Specialized experience must demonstrate the following: 1) Managing budgets, funds, support, and projects that will provide the ability to budget for out-year Cultural Resources requirements; 2) Applying innovative and experimental theories, new applications, and state of the art methods to solve a wide variety of issues; and 3) Serving as the technical expert for cultural resource matters; 4) Reviewing contractor performance and manage the execution of environmental planning initiatives, ensuring adherence to regulatory standards and project timelines; and 5) Preparing briefing materials for senior leaders to brief high level Commands and outside agencies.
Additional qualification information can be found from the following Office of Personnel Management website:
https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/#url=List-by-Occupational-Series
History Series 0170 (opm.gov)
General Anthropology Series 0190 (opm.gov)
https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/0100/archeology-series-0193/
https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/0800/architecture-series-0808
Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., professional, philanthropic, religious, spiritual, community, student, social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment.Education:Applicants must meet the following positive education qualifications requirements of the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Qualifications Standards Manual and must possess:
Applicants for the Professional Historian (0170 series) must meet the following positive education, qualifications requirements of the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Qualifications Standards Manual:
Successful completion of a bachelor's degree or higher in history; or related field that included at least 18 semester hours in history.
OR
You have a combination of education and experience: courses equivalent to a major in history, or a major in a related field that included at least 18 semester hours in history, plus appropriate experience or additional education.
Applicants for the Professional General Anthropology (0190 series) must meet the following positive education, qualifications requirements of the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Qualifications Standards Manual:
You have successfully completed a bachelor's degree or higher from an accredited college or university with major study in an appropriate field of anthropology.
OR
You have a combination of education and experience that includes courses equivalent to a major, or a combination of courses totaling at least 24 semester hours in an appropriate field of anthropology, or related course work, plus appropriate experience or additional education.
OR
You have four years of appropriate experience in anthropology performing research, museum work, or similar professional-level work.
Applicants for the Professional Archeology (0193 series) must meet the following positive education qualifications requirements of the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Qualifications Standards Manual:
You have successfully completed a bachelor's degree or higher from an accredited college or university that included 3 semester hours each in the following course areas: history of archeology; Archeology of a major geographical area such as North America or Africa; Regional archeology, archeological cultures, or sites in a specific part or portion of a major geographical area to acquire or develop a foundation for regional specialization for professional development; Theory and methods of archeology (methods include, but are not limited to, typology, classification, sampling, cultural evolution, diffusion, dating, and analytical techniques); Archeological field school, to provide a basic understanding of theoretical and practical approaches to research design implementation, field preservation techniques, and report preparation by participation in actual field work AND Six semester hours of related course work in: geography, geology, or cultural geography; history, historiography, or historical archeology; environmental studies; scientific writing (nonfiction English composition); and/or surveying AND Archeological field school.
OR
You have a bachelor's degree or higher from an accredited college or university with related curriculum: degree in anthropology (with emphasis on ethnology, physical anthropology, or scientific linguistics), history, American studies, or a related discipline may be accepted as satisfying in full the educational requirements, provided the curriculum supplied academic course work sufficiently similar to the requirements in A above (including archeological field school).
OR
You have a combination of education and experience that includes college-level education or training that provided knowledge equivalent to that described in A above, plus appropriate technical experience or additional education.
OR
You have four years of archeological work experience that demonstrated a thorough knowledge of the fundamental principles and theories of professional archeology. The work experience must have included archeology field experience, which may include that gained in an archeological field school. Field experience should have included a combination of professional experience in archeological survey, excavation, laboratory analysis, and preparation of written materials. Applicants with such field experience should, after additional experience under the direction of a higher grade archeologist, be able to demonstrate the ability to be a crew chief, directing the work of others at a single location as a part of a larger archeological project.
Applicants for the Professional Architect (0808 series) must meet the following positive education, qualifications requirements of the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Qualifications Standards Manual:
Successful completion of a bachelor's or higher degree in architecture.
OR
Successful completion of a bachelor's or higher degree in a field related to architecture that included 60 semester hours of course work in architecture or related disciplines of which at least (1) 30 semester hours were in architectural design, and (2) 6 semester hours were in each of the following: structural technology, properties of materials and methods of construction, and environmental control systems.
OR
Have a combination of college-level education, training, and/or technical experience that furnished (1) a thorough knowledge of the arts and sciences underlying professional architecture, and (2) a good understanding, both theoretical and practical, of the architectural principles, methods, and techniques and their applications to the design and construction or improvement of buildings. The curriculum for a degree is in either architecture or architectural engineering and covers function, esthetics, site, structure, economics, mechanical-electrical, and other engineering problems related to the design and construction of buildings primarily (but not exclusively) intended to house human activities.Employment Type: OTHER