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Archaeology Graduate Jobs (NOW HIRING)

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Archaeology Graduate information

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$31.5K

$60.7K

$97K

How much do archaeology graduate jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 12, 2026, the average yearly pay for archaeology graduate 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.

What is an archaeology graduate?

An Archaeology Graduate job typically involves entry-level roles in research, excavation, analysis, and conservation of historical sites and artifacts. Graduates may work for universities, museums, cultural resource management firms, or government agencies. Responsibilities often include assisting in fieldwork, cataloging findings, and supporting senior archaeologists in research projects. The role provides hands-on experience and helps build expertise for career advancement.

What types of projects and responsibilities can an archaeology graduate expect in an entry-level role?

As an Archaeology Graduate in an entry-level position, you may assist with field surveys, excavations, and lab analysis of artifacts under the supervision of experienced archaeologists. Responsibilities often include recording site data, cataloguing finds, conducting background research, and helping prepare reports. You might work both outdoors at dig sites and indoors in laboratories or museums, often as part of a multidisciplinary team. This role provides excellent exposure to practical fieldwork and research, laying the foundation for professional growth in heritage management, academic archaeology, or related sectors.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in the archaeology graduate position, and why are they important?

To thrive as an Archaeology Graduate, you need a degree in archaeology or a related field, solid research and analytical skills, and a good understanding of fieldwork techniques. Familiarity with geographic information systems (GIS), laboratory analysis tools, and excavation equipment is expected, with some roles requiring certifications in field safety or heritage management. Attention to detail, teamwork, adaptability, and effective written and verbal communication are vital soft skills in this field. These competencies enable graduates to accurately document findings, collaborate efficiently on-site, and contribute meaningfully to archaeological projects.

Are archaeologists still in demand?

Archaeologists are still in demand in fields such as cultural resource management, academia, and museums, where skills in excavation, analysis, and reporting are valued. Employment opportunities depend on funding, project availability, and geographic location, with competition for positions often high.

Is a degree in archaeology worth it?

A degree in archaeology provides foundational knowledge of human history and fieldwork skills, which can lead to careers in museums, cultural resource management, or research. However, job prospects can be competitive, and additional experience or certifications may be necessary for advancement.

What jobs can I get with a degree in archaeology?

With a degree in archaeology, common career options include roles such as archaeological technician, field archaeologist, museum curator, heritage manager, and conservation specialist. These jobs often require skills in excavation, research, report writing, and knowledge of preservation tools and techniques.
More about Archaeology Graduate jobs

What cities are hiring for Archaeology Graduate jobs?

Cities with the most Archaeology Graduate job openings:

What are the most commonly searched types of Archaeology Graduate jobs?

The most popular types of Archaeology Graduate jobs are:

What states have the most Archaeology Graduate jobs?

States with the most job openings for Archaeology Graduate jobs include:

What are popular job titles related to Archaeology Graduate jobs?

For Archaeology Graduate jobs, the most frequently searched job titles are:

Infographic showing various Archaeology Graduate job openings in the United States as of September 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% Internship, 4% As Needed, 74% Full Time, 18% Part Time, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 95% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 4% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $60,710 per year, or $29.2 per hour.

Archeologist

Columbia, SC โ€ข On-site

$61K/yr

Full-time

Posted 9 days ago


Job description

Positions may be filled at one or more of the duty locations included in this announcement. Final determination of the duty location will be made at the time of the job offer.
For additional questions about the duties of these positions, refer to the Additional Information Section for names and email addresses for points of contact by Region.
Qualifications:In order to qualify, you must meet the eligibility and qualifications requirements as defined below by the closing date of the announcement. For more information on the qualifications for this position, visit the Office of Personnel Management's General Schedule Qualification Standards.
Your application and resume must clearly show that you possess the experience requirements. Transcripts must be provided for qualifications based on education. Provide course descriptions as necessary.
Basic Requirement: Archeology Series, 0193.
  1. 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

  2. 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

  3. 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.


In addition to meeting the basic requirement, you must also possess experience and/or directly related education in the amounts listed below.
Specialized Experience Requirement:
For the GS-09: You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-7 grade level. Specialized experience is defined as two or more of the following:
  • Assisting in conducting background studies and document reviews pertaining to archeological project development; and/or
  • Participating in archeological survey and site evaluation work and preparing technical reports; and/or
  • Conducting field reconnaissance in areas scheduled for land-use activities-such as vegetation management, habitat projects, infrastructure development, or recreational improvements to identify potential effects on archeological sites.
or
2 academic years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to a master's degree or have received a master's or equivalent graduate degree in archeology or directly related coursework.
or
A combination of graduate level education (beyond 18 semester hours) and specialized experience that is directly related to archeology that together meets the qualifications requirements for this position.
For the GS-11: You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-9 grade level. Specialized experience is defined as two or more of the following:
  • Performing standard tasks or portions of larger projects of an archeological program, such as conducting performance studies and examining historical research documents pertaining to project development; and/or
  • Assisting professional archeologists in developing and maintaining archeological program components, including scientific reporting, records management, database updates, and monitoring the condition of cultural resource sites; and/or
  • Evaluating problems associated with archeological site protection and implementing corrective measures within the framework of archeological program and legal requirements.
or
3 academic years of progressively higher-level graduate education, leading to a Ph.D. degree or Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree directly related to archeology.
or
A combination of graduate education (beyond what is required for a master's degree, i.e., more than 36 semester hours leading to a Ph.D.) and specialized experience that is directly related to archeology that together meets the qualifications requirements for this position.

Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (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. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.Education:See above for education that may be qualifying for the specific grade level.Employment Type: OTHER