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Project Archaeologist Jobs in Florida (NOW HIRING)

APTIM seeks to hire a full-time Maritime Archaeologist / Project Manager in our Tampa, FL office. The position will involve leading marine cultural resources projects from planning through execution ...

Support project-specific archaeological interpretations, recommendations, and technical sign-off * Assist in maritime archaeology scopes across multiple concurrent projects, including planning ...

Sr Archaeologist

Tampa, FL · On-site

$64K - $107K/yr

Projects will generally be in Florida but could be elsewhere throughout the United States, as ... Master's degree in Archaeology, Anthropology, or a closely related field. Must meet the Secretary ...

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Project Archaeologist information

See Florida salary details

$23.5K

$45.4K

$72.5K

How much do project archaeologist jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 28, 2026, the average yearly pay for project archaeologist in Florida is $45,368.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $35,100.00 and $51,900.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is the 50 year rule in archeology?

The 50-year rule in archaeology states that artifacts and historical materials are generally considered public domain and can be legally excavated or studied if they are at least 50 years old. Project archaeologists often use this guideline to determine the significance and legal considerations of artifacts during excavations, especially when working with cultural resource management (CRM) projects. This rule helps balance preservation with research and development activities.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Project Archaeologist, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Project Archaeologist, you need a solid background in archaeology, fieldwork experience, and at least a bachelor's (often a master's) degree in archaeology or anthropology. Familiarity with GIS software, GPS mapping tools, and compliance with federal and state cultural resource management regulations is typically required. Strong leadership, attention to detail, and clear communication are important soft skills for managing teams, reporting findings, and working with stakeholders. These competencies ensure that projects meet scientific standards, legal requirements, and are completed efficiently and ethically.

What is the highest paying archeologist job?

Senior-level archeologists, such as Archaeological Directors or Principal Investigators, tend to have the highest salaries in the field, often earning six-figure incomes. These roles typically require extensive experience, advanced degrees, and leadership skills, and may involve managing large projects or teams, often with specialized knowledge in areas like cultural resource management or heritage preservation.

Is there a high demand for archaeologists?

The demand for project archaeologists is generally steady, especially in regions with active construction, development, or preservation projects that require archaeological assessments. Employment opportunities often depend on government funding, environmental regulations, and the availability of archaeological sites, with skills in survey methods and reporting being valuable.

What are Project Archaeologists?

Project Archaeologists are professionals who manage and oversee archaeological projects, often within the context of cultural resource management (CRM). They are responsible for planning fieldwork, supervising excavation teams, ensuring compliance with regulations, analyzing findings, and preparing reports. Project Archaeologists typically coordinate with clients, government agencies, and other stakeholders to ensure that archaeological sites are investigated and preserved according to legal and ethical standards. Their work helps protect historical and cultural resources during development or construction projects.

How does a Project Archaeologist typically collaborate with other professionals on excavation projects?

Project Archaeologists often work closely with a multidisciplinary team that may include field technicians, laboratory specialists, historians, and environmental scientists. They are responsible for coordinating fieldwork, ensuring compliance with regulations, and synthesizing findings for reports. Effective communication and leadership are key, as they must oversee excavation activities, delegate tasks, and integrate input from various experts to ensure that the project meets both scientific and legal requirements. This collaborative environment provides exposure to diverse perspectives and fosters professional growth.

What does a project archaeologist do?

A project archaeologist is responsible for managing archaeological excavations and research projects, documenting findings, and ensuring compliance with preservation laws. They often coordinate fieldwork, analyze artifacts, and prepare reports, using tools like GIS and excavation equipment. Strong organizational skills and knowledge of archaeological methods are essential for this role.

What is the difference between Project Archaeologist vs Field Archaeologist?

AspectProject ArchaeologistField Archaeologist
CredentialsBachelor's or Master's in Archaeology or related field; often requires fieldwork experienceBachelor's degree in Archaeology or related field; focus on hands-on excavation skills
Work EnvironmentCoordinates projects, manages teams, analyzes data, reports findingsConducts excavations, surveys, and site documentation in the field
Employer & Industry UsageUniversities, cultural resource management firms, government agenciesArchaeological sites, excavation projects, field research teams

While both roles involve archaeological work, a Project Archaeologist typically oversees entire projects, manages teams, and analyzes data, whereas a Field Archaeologist focuses on conducting excavations and collecting field data. The Project Archaeologist has broader responsibilities including planning and reporting, making it a supervisory role, while the Field Archaeologist is more hands-on with fieldwork.

What are popular job titles related to Project Archaeologist jobs in Florida? For Project Archaeologist jobs in Florida, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Project Archaeologist jobs in Florida look for? The top searched job categories for Project Archaeologist jobs in Florida are:
Infographic showing various Project Archaeologist job openings in Florida as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 34% Internship, 26% Full Time, 6% Part Time, 1% Contract, 32% Nights, and 1% Summer. Highlights an 91% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 6% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $45,368 per year, or $21.8 per hour.
Maritime Archaeologist Project Manager

Maritime Archaeologist Project Manager

APTIM

Tampa, FL • On-site

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 7 days ago


APTIM rating

8.8

Company rating: 8.8 out of 10

Based on 14 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz


Job description

Job Overview:
APTIM Environmental & Infrastructure LLC, a leading engineering and environmental firm with a thriving coastal engineering and resilience practice, is pleased to announce an immediate opening in our Tampa, FL office for a Maritime Archaeologist/Project Manager. The successful candidate will serve as a technical and regulatory lead for marine cultural resources projects. This is a high-impact role for an experienced professional who meets (or exceeds) Secretary of the Interior (SOI) standards and can function as a Qualified Maritime Archaeologist (QMA). The ideal candidate will be able to step into active projects with minimal onboarding, lead cultural resources efforts independently, and produce defensible, regulator-ready deliverables. APTIM supports offshore energy, coastal restoration, and marine infrastructure projects nationwide. Our work requires close integration between archaeology, marine geophysics, and engineering disciplines. This position is primarily office-based, focused on project management, data interpretation, QA/QC, and reporting, with some offshore survey participation expected.
Responsibilities:
APTIM seeks to hire a full-time Maritime Archaeologist / Project Manager in our Tampa, FL office. The position will involve leading marine cultural resources projects from planning through execution and final reporting, including the field collection, review and interpretation of marine geophysical data for archaeological assessments. The successful candidate will serve as a senior technical authority, overseeing and participating in marine data collection, archaeological evaluations, ensuring regulatory compliance, and producing high-quality deliverables that support offshore development and permitting efforts. The role includes coordination with multidisciplinary teams, clients, and regulatory agencies, as well as mentorship of junior staff.
Responsibilities:
  • Serve as lead maritime archaeologist on projects requiring compliance with Section 106 and related federal and state regulations
  • Act as or support the Qualified Maritime Archaeologist (QMA) responsible for project-specific archaeological interpretations, recommendations, and technical sign-off
  • Manage maritime archaeology scopes across multiple concurrent projects, including planning, execution, budgeting, and schedule adherence
  • Serve as Project Manager or technical lead and primary point of contact for clients and internal teams
  • Interface directly with regulatory agencies (e.g., BOEM, SHPOs) and represent APTIM in technical discussions
  • Lead the collection, review and interpretation of marine geophysical datasets (sidescan sonar, magnetometer, sub-bottom profiler) for identification of potential cultural resources
  • Direct anomaly screening, prioritization, and investigation strategies for archaeological targets
  • Establish and enforce QA/QC procedures for archaeological data review, interpretation, and reporting
  • Integrate geophysical data with archival research, historical context, and ground-truthing results
  • Lead preparation and final QA/QC of technical deliverables, including Phase I archaeological assessments, remote sensing reports, and clearance/avoidance recommendations
  • Ensure all deliverables are technically defensible, internally consistent, and regulator-ready
  • Support proposal development, including technical approach, scope definition, and cost estimating
  • Mentor junior and mid-level staff and contribute to the growth and development of the cultural resources team
  • Provide some offshore support for critical project phases or technical oversight
  • Support proposal development, including scope definition, technical approach, and cost estimating.
  • Contribute to business development and client engagement efforts.
  • Provide technical input for project planning and survey design.

Qualifications/Competencies/Experience:
  • Master's degree (preferred) or Bachelor's degree in Maritime Archaeology, Archaeology, Anthropology, or related field
  • 7+ years of relevant experience in maritime archaeology or marine cultural resources
  • Meets Secretary of the Interior (SOI) Professional Qualification Standards for Archaeology
  • Demonstrated experience functioning as a Qualified Maritime Archaeologist (QMA) or equivalent lead role
  • Proven ability to independently develop and defend archaeological interpretations and recommendations
  • Extensive experience collecting, reviewing and interpreting marine geophysical data for cultural resources identification
  • Strong technical writing skills with a demonstrated record of regulator-accepted deliverables
  • Experience with federal and state regulatory frameworks, including Section 106 compliance
  • Experience supporting offshore energy, coastal restoration, or marine infrastructure projects
  • Proven experience with geophysical survey methods and datasets (sidescan sonar, magnetometer, sub-bottom profiler, boomer)
  • Proficiency with GIS platforms (e.g., ArcGIS)
  • Experience preparing clearance/avoidance recommendations for offshore investigations (e.g., vibracores, borings, anchoring activities)
  • Strong project management skills, including budgeting, scheduling, and coordination of staff, equipment and subcontracted resources
  • Demonstrated ability to collaborate effectively in a team environment, both in-office and in the field, working across multidisciplinary technical and project teams of varying experience levels.
  • Promote teamwork, coaches and guides others.
  • Ability to operate independently with minimal oversight and contribute immediately to active projects
  • Excellent communication skills, with the ability to convey complex technical concepts to clients, regulators, and internal teams

About APTIM:
APTIM enhances the quality of the environment, wellbeing of people, resilience of communities, and opportunities for employees to make a difference, not just a living. A leading professional solutions firm, we specialize in environmental, sustainability, resilience, and infrastructure solutions. Our team of experts provide these integrated solutions for forward-thinking government agencies, commercial and industrial clients, and energy customers. Together, we create sustainable and resilient communities for all.
What you can expect from APTIM:
  • Work that is worthy of your time and talent
  • Respect and flexibility to live a full life at work and at home
  • Dogged determination to deliver for our clients and communities
  • A voice in making our company better
  • Investment in your personal and professional development

As of the date of this posting, a good faith estimate of the current pay range for this position is $105K-$125K per year. Compensation depends on several factors including experience, education, key skills, geographic location of the position, client requirements, external market competitiveness, and internal equity among other employees within APTIM.
Employee Benefits
APTIM Environmental & Infrastructure, LLC is committed to providing an extensive range of benefits that protect and promote the health and financial well-being of our employees and their families through the APTIM Benefits Marketplace https://aptim.makeityoursource.com/.
  • Medical, vision, and dental insurance: Through the marketplace, our employees can choose benefits from five metallic levels and several carriers to find the right benefits that work for them in their location.
  • Company paid and optional Life insurance
  • Short-term and long-term disability insurance
  • Accident, Critical Illness, and Hospital Indemnity coverage
  • Paid holidays, vacation, and sick leave (eligibility based on company policy and applicable law)
  • 401(k) APTIM offers three 401k plans through the Aon Pooled Employer Plan (PEP). The specific plan you are eligible for depends on the business unit you are in. The details of the largest plan are found here:
    • APTIM 401(k) Guide
    • APTIM - Helpful Documents

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