Life As an Archeologist

Archeologist Definition Conduct research to reconstruct record of past human life and culture from human remains, artifacts, architectural features, and structures recovered through excavation, underwater recovery, or other means of discovery.

What do Archeologists do On a Daily Basis?

• Consult site reports, existing artifacts, and topographic maps to identify archeological sites.
• Develop and test theories concerning the origin and development of past cultures.
• Write, present, and publish reports that record site history, methodology, and artifact analysis results, along with recommendations for conserving and interpreting findings.
• Create artifact typologies to organize and make sense of past material cultures.
• Describe artifacts’ physical properties or attributes, such as the materials from which artifacts are made and their size, shape, function, and decoration.
• Present findings from archeological research to peers and the general public.

Archeologist Skills

Archeologists state the following job skills are important in their day-to-day work.

Writing: Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.

Reading Comprehension: Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.

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.

Critical Thinking: Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.

Types of Archeologist Jobs

• Archeological Technician
• Archaeologist
• Director and Professor
• Curator
• Project Director

Is There Going to be Demand for Archeologists?

There were about 7,600 jobs for Anthropologists and Archeologists in 2016 (in the United States).

New jobs are being produced at a rate of 4.5% which is lower than average. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts 300 new jobs for Archeologists by 2026. The BLS estimates 700 yearly job openings in this field per year.

The states with the most job growth for Anthropologists and Archeologists are California, Washington, and Colorado.

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.

What is the Average Salary of an Archeologist

The typical yearly salary for Anthropologists and Archeologists is somewhere between $36,840 and $97,170. The median salary for this occupation is $62,410.

Below is a list of the median annual salaries for jobs of this type in different U.S. states.

Annual Mean Salary by State

State	Annual Mean Salary
Massachusetts	$91,140
Hawaii	$82,550
Washington	$74,300
Nebraska	$74,280
Virginia	$72,480
Texas	$71,590
Idaho	$71,520
Pennsylvania	$70,770
Louisiana	$68,690
New York	$67,860
Georgia	$67,550
Wyoming	$67,400
California	$67,030
Utah	$66,410
New Jersey	$64,950
Arizona	$64,660
Colorado	$63,940
North Carolina	$63,690
Ohio	$63,280
Oregon	$63,090
Montana	$62,690
Illinois	$62,650
South Carolina	$62,230
North Dakota	$62,110
Nevada	$60,480
Kentucky	$59,740
Tennessee	$59,690
New Mexico	$58,300
Arkansas	$58,240
Missouri	$56,880
Oklahoma	$56,150
Wisconsin	$55,720
Alabama	$54,390
Florida	$54,130
Maryland	$53,680
South Dakota	$52,340
West Virginia	$50,550

What Tools do Archeologists Use?

Below is a list of the types of tools and technologies that Archeologists may use on a daily basis:

• Adobe Systems Adobe Photoshop
• Adobe Systems Adobe Acrobat
• Microsoft Word
• Microsoft PowerPoint
• Autodesk AutoCAD
• Microsoft Excel
• IBM SPSS Statistics
• Microsoft Outlook
• ESRI ArcGIS software
• Microsoft Access

Where do Archeologists Work?

Related Careers

Those thinking about becoming Archeologists might also be interested in the following careers:

• Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists

References

Bureau of Labor Statistics

College Factual

O*NET Online

Image Credit: Via Wikimedia Commons