What You Need to Know About Anthropologist
Anthropologist Definition Research, evaluate, and establish public policy concerning the origins of humans; their physical, social, linguistic, and cultural development; and their behavior, as well as the cultures, organizations, and institutions they have created.
Daily Life Of an Anthropologist
- Identify key individual cultural collaborators, using reputational and positional selection techniques.
- Build and use text-based database management systems to support the analysis of detailed first-hand observational records, or field notes.
- Write about and present research findings for a variety of specialized and general audiences.
- Conduct participatory action research in communities and organizations to assess how work is done and to design work systems, technologies, and environments.
- Participate in forensic activities, such as tooth and bone structure identification, in conjunction with police departments and pathologists.
- Explain the origins and physical, social, or cultural development of humans, including physical attributes, cultural traditions, beliefs, languages, resource management practices, and settlement patterns.
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Anthropologist Skills
Below is a list of the skills most Anthropologists say are important on the job.
Writing: Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.
Reading Comprehension: Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
Critical Thinking: Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
Active Listening: Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
Speaking: Talking to others to convey information effectively.
Science: Using scientific rules and methods to solve problems.
Related Job Titles for this Occupation:
- American Indian Policy Specialist
- Research Associate
- Medical Anthropology Director
- Applied Cultural Anthropologist
- Researcher
What Kind of Anthropologist Job Opportunities Are There?
There were about 7,600 jobs for Anthropologist in 2016 (in the United States). New jobs are being produced at a rate of 3.9% which is below the national average. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts 300 new jobs for Anthropologist by 2026. The BLS estimates 700 yearly job openings in this field.

The states with the most job growth for Anthropologist are Washington, Nebraska, and Utah. Watch out if you plan on working in Pennsylvania, Wyoming, or West Virginia. These states have the worst job growth for this type of profession.
Anthropologist Average Salary
Anthropologists make between $36,840 and $97,170 a year.

Anthropologists who work in Massachusetts, Hawaii, or Idaho, make the highest salaries.
How much do Anthropologists make in each U.S. state?
State | Annual Mean Salary |
---|---|
Alabama | $54,390 |
Arizona | $64,660 |
Arkansas | $58,240 |
California | $67,030 |
Colorado | $63,940 |
Florida | $54,130 |
Georgia | $67,550 |
Hawaii | $82,550 |
Idaho | $71,520 |
Illinois | $62,650 |
Kentucky | $59,740 |
Louisiana | $68,690 |
Maryland | $53,680 |
Massachusetts | $91,140 |
Missouri | $56,880 |
Montana | $62,690 |
Nebraska | $74,280 |
Nevada | $60,480 |
New Jersey | $64,950 |
New Mexico | $58,300 |
New York | $67,860 |
North Carolina | $63,690 |
North Dakota | $62,110 |
Ohio | $63,280 |
Oklahoma | $56,150 |
Oregon | $63,090 |
Pennsylvania | $70,770 |
South Carolina | $62,230 |
South Dakota | $52,340 |
Tennessee | $59,690 |
Texas | $71,590 |
Utah | $66,410 |
Virginia | $72,480 |
Washington | $74,300 |
West Virginia | $50,550 |
Wisconsin | $55,720 |
Wyoming | $67,400 |
Tools & Technologies Used by Anthropologists
Although they’re not necessarily needed for all jobs, the following technologies are used by many Anthropologists:
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Word
- Microsoft Office
- Microsoft PowerPoint
- Microsoft Outlook
- Web browser software
- Microsoft Access
- Word processing software
- Data visualization software
- Microsoft Windows
- Autodesk AutoCAD
- Adobe Systems Adobe Acrobat
- Microsoft SharePoint
- Adobe Systems Adobe Photoshop
- Structured query language SQL
- The MathWorks MATLAB
- SAS
- Adobe Systems Adobe Illustrator
- IBM SPSS Statistics
- Adobe Systems Adobe InDesign
How to Become an Anthropologist
Education needed to be an Anthropologist:

What work experience do I need to become an Anthropologist?

Where Anthropologists Work

The table below shows some of the most common industries where those employed in this career field work.

Similar Careers
Those thinking about becoming an Anthropologist might also be interested in the following careers:
- Atmospheric, Earth, Marine, and Space Sciences Professors
- English Language and Literature Professors
- Poets, Lyricists and Creative Writers
- Agricultural Sciences Professors
- Environmental Science Professors
Are you already one of the many Anthropologist in the United States? If you’re thinking about changing careers, these fields are worth exploring:
References:
Image Credit: Deror avi via Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 Unported, 2.5 Generic, 2.0 Generic and 1.0 Generic license.
More about our data sources and methodologies.
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