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Archaeological Curation Jobs (NOW HIRING)

City of Mesa

Museum Curator

Mesa, AZ

$75K - $102K/yr

Responsibilities include: developing and implementing procedures of a general curatorial nature relating to the fields of Social Sciences (history, ethnology, archaeology, anthropology) or Natural ...

Stantec

Seasonal Archaeology Field Technician

Mequon, WI · On-site

This hourly, on-call position will support the archaeological fieldwork needs of the Midwest region ... Perform laboratory duties including artifact processing, classification, and curation, as well as ...

Stantec

Seasonal Archaeology Field Technician

Duluth, MN · On-site

This hourly, on-call position will support the archaeological fieldwork needs of the Midwest region ... Perform laboratory duties including artifact processing, classification, and curation, as well as ...

Stantec

Seasonal Archaeology Field Technician

Fargo, ND · On-site

This hourly, on-call position will support the archaeological fieldwork needs of the Midwest region ... Perform laboratory duties including artifact processing, classification, and curation, as well as ...

Stantec

Seasonal Archaeology Field Technician

Plymouth, MN · On-site

$45K - $63K/yr

This hourly, on-call position will support the archaeological fieldwork needs of the Midwest region ... Perform laboratory duties including artifact processing, classification, and curation, as well as ...

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Archaeological Curation information

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$31.5K

$60.7K

$97K

How much do archaeological curation jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 5, 2026, the average yearly pay for archaeological curation in the United States is $60,710.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $47,000.00 and $69,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

How to become an archaeological curator?

To become an archaeological curator, typically a bachelor's degree in archaeology, anthropology, or a related field is required, often followed by a master's or doctoral degree for advanced positions. Relevant skills include knowledge of conservation techniques, cataloging, and museum practices, along with experience through internships or fieldwork. Certification or training in conservation or museum management can also enhance job prospects.

What is the difference between Archaeological Curation vs Archaeological Collections Manager?

AspectArchaeological CurationArchaeological Collections Manager
CredentialsTypically requires a degree in archaeology, anthropology, or related fieldSimilar credentials, often with additional management or conservation training
Work EnvironmentMuseums, archaeological sites, research institutionsMuseums, cultural heritage organizations, research facilities
Job FocusPreserving, documenting, and managing archaeological artifactsOverseeing collection care, storage, and access for research and exhibitions

Both roles involve managing archaeological artifacts, but Archaeological Curation focuses more on preservation and documentation, while Archaeological Collections Managers handle overall collection management and access. They often work together within museums or research institutions to ensure artifacts are preserved and accessible for study and display.

What is the 50 year rule in archeology?

The 50 year rule in archaeological curation states that artifacts and records are generally considered open for research and public access if they are at least 50 years old. This guideline helps determine when collections can be transferred from private to public institutions and when they are available for study, often requiring proper documentation and preservation standards. It is a common standard used by curators to manage and prioritize collections for conservation and research.

Do museum curators get paid well?

Museum curators, including those specializing in archaeological curation, typically earn a median salary that varies by experience, location, and institution size, with salaries often ranging from $40,000 to $80,000 annually. Advanced degrees, specialized knowledge, and experience can lead to higher pay, especially in larger or more prominent museums. However, salaries are generally moderate compared to other professions requiring similar education levels.

What is the highest paying job in archaeology?

The highest paying roles in archaeology are often senior positions such as Archaeological Directors or Principal Investigators, who oversee large projects and have extensive experience. These roles typically require advanced degrees, strong management skills, and often involve consulting or working for government agencies or private firms, with salaries reaching six figures in some cases.
More about Archaeological Curation jobs
What cities are hiring for Archaeological Curation jobs? Cities with the most Archaeological Curation job openings:
What states have the most Archaeological Curation jobs? States with the most job openings for Archaeological Curation jobs include:
What job categories do people searching Archaeological Curation jobs look for? The top searched job categories for Archaeological Curation jobs are:
Archaeological Curation jobs near you
Infographic showing various Archaeological Curation job openings in the United States as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% Internship, 92% Full Time, 5% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 1% Contract. Highlights an 85% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 12% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $60,710 per year, or $29.2 per hour.
ARCHAEOLOGIST

ARCHAEOLOGIST

U.S. Department of Defense (DOD)

Washington Navy Yard, DC • On-site

$70K/yr

Other

Posted 11 days ago

U.S. Department Of Defense rating

7.8

Company rating: 7.8 out of 10

Based on 532 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

25th of 46 rated military and defense

Job description

You will serve as the Archaeological Collection Registrar in the Underwater Archaeology Branch of the Collection Management Division (CMD) of the NAVAL HISTORY AND HERITAGE COMMAND.Qualifications:GS-11 LEVEL:
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-09 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) Applying expert-level knowledge of policies, procedures, curation standards, and day-to-day operations pertaining to the independent management of federally-administered artifacts collections; artifact inventory, cataloguing, documentation, digital and physical recordkeeping, handling, environmental control monitoring, and maintaining compliance with applicable laws and regulations;
2) Preparing and executing artifact loan agreements independently: tracking loan agreements, corresponding with borrowing institutions to address issues pertaining to loans, and ensuring compliance with professional standards and regulations;
and
3) Preparing complex correspondence addressed to international governments, foreign governments, federal agencies, state agencies, the private sector, interest groups, academia, and members of the public.
GS-09 LEVEL:
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-07 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) Applying experience with policies, procedures, curation standards, and day-to-day operations pertaining to the management of federally-administered artifact collections, to include: artifact inventory, cataloguing, documentation, digital and physical recordkeeping, handling, and environmental control monitoring;
and
2) Assisting with preparing and executing artifact loan agreements: tracking loan agreements, corresponding with borrowing institutions to address issues pertaining to loans, and ensuring compliance with professional standards and regulations.
Additional qualification information can be found from the following Office of Personnel Management websites:
https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/#url=List-by-Occupational-Series
https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/0100/archeology-series-0193/
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: Applicants must possess

A. Education
1) Degree 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.

2) 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.1 (including archeological field school).

OR
B. Combination of Education and Experience

College-level education or training that provided knowledge equivalent to that described in A above, plus appropriate technical experience or additional education.

OR
C. Experience

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.


Employment Type: OTHER

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