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Anthropologists and Archeologists
Study the origin, development, and behavior of human beings. May study the way of life, language, or physical characteristics of people in various parts of the world. May engage in systematic recovery and examination of material evidence, such as tools or pottery remaining from past human cultures, to determine the history, customs, and living habits of earlier civilizations.
Other titles employers use
American Indian Policy Specialist · Applied Anthropologist · Applied Cultural Anthropologist · Archaeologist · Communication and Folklore Specialist · Forensic Anthropologist · Historical Archaeologist · Research Archaeologist
Inside the work
What you would actually do.
6 responsibilities that define the role, before job titles and workplaces change the details.
- Collect information and make judgments through observation, interviews, and review of documents.
- Teach or mentor undergraduate and graduate students in anthropology or archeology.
- Write about and present research findings for a variety of specialized and general audiences.
- Plan and direct research to characterize and compare the economic, demographic, health care, social, political, linguistic, and religious institutions of distinct cultural groups, communities, and organizations.
- Create data records for use in describing and analyzing social patterns and processes, using photography, videography, and audio recordings.
- Train others in the application of ethnographic research methods to solve problems in organizational effectiveness, communications, technology development, policy making, and program planning.
Who it suits
Would this work hold your attention?
This career often appeals to people drawn to analytical, creative and practical work.
- Analytical
- Investigating questions, testing ideas, and solving problems
- Creative
- Making, designing, writing, or performing without one set answer
- Practical
- Building, repairing, using tools, or working outdoors
Skills and strengths
What you would get good at.
Compare the skills the work relies on, the subjects behind it, and the abilities that make it easier to learn.
Core skills
- Writing
- Speaking
- Reading Comprehension
- Active Listening
- Critical Thinking
- Active Learning
Subjects to know
- Sociology and Anthropology
- English Language
- History and Archeology
- Foreign Language
- Education and Training
Useful strengths
- Written Comprehension
- Oral Expression
- Written Expression
- Oral Comprehension
- Deductive Reasoning
Working day
Picture yourself doing it.
These measures show how much of the day involves people, movement, conversation, and hands-on work.
| Measure | Out of 5 | What that means here |
|---|---|---|
| Close to other people | 3.0 | Shared rooms, but not shoulder to shoulder |
| On your feet | 2.6 | Mostly seated |
| Talking face to face | 4.3 | A regular part of the day |
| Working with your hands | 2.2 | Little of the day |
Preparation
How people prepare for this work.
Employers usually ask for a master's degree. Other routes may also lead into the field.
- A doctorate or professional degree 40%
- A master's degree 30%
- A four-year degree 20%
- A certificate or some college 5%
- A two-year degree 5%
Tools of the work
Technology you may use.
- Analytical or scientific software
- Graphics or photo imaging software
- Data base user interface and query software
- Document management software
- Geographic information system
- Web page creation and editing software
- Desktop publishing software
- Computer aided design CAD software
Opportunity near you
See where this work is growing.
Choose a state to compare the size of the field, annual openings, and expected hiring change.
- People doing this work
- 1,400
- Job openings each year
- 120
- Expected hiring change, 2022–2032
- 7.7%
Compare every available state
| State | People doing it | Job openings each year | Expected change |
|---|---|---|---|
| California | 1,400 | 120 | 7.7% |
| Arizona | 450 | 40 | 15.4% |
| Florida | 370 | 30 | 15.6% |
| Colorado | 320 | 30 | 14.3% |
| New Mexico | 300 | 30 | 7.1% |
| Texas | 290 | 30 | 20.8% |
| Maryland | 280 | 30 | 12.0% |
| Oregon | 280 | 20 | 16.7% |
| Washington | 270 | 30 | 28.6% |
| Nevada | 220 | 20 | 10.0% |
| Pennsylvania | 180 | 10 | — |
| Virginia | 180 | 10 | 5.9% |
| North Carolina | 170 | 20 | 13.3% |
| Utah | 170 | 20 | 30.8% |
| Tennessee | 160 | 20 | 33.3% |
| Georgia | 140 | 10 | 16.7% |
| Alabama | 100 | 10 | 11.1% |
| Indiana | 100 | 10 | 11.1% |
| Wyoming | 100 | 10 | 11.1% |
| Alaska | 90 | 10 | — |
| Montana | 90 | 10 | 12.5% |
| Oklahoma | 90 | 10 | 12.5% |
| Wisconsin | 90 | 10 | 12.5% |
| Kentucky | 80 | 10 | 14.3% |
| Minnesota | 80 | 10 | — |
| Ohio | 70 | 10 | — |
| Idaho | 60 | 10 | — |
| Iowa | 60 | 10 | 20.0% |
| Louisiana | 60 | 10 | — |
| Nebraska | 60 | 0 | 20.0% |
| Missouri | 50 | 0 | — |
| New Jersey | 50 | 0 | — |
| South Carolina | 50 | 0 | — |
| Arkansas | 40 | 0 | — |
| New Hampshire | 40 | 0 | 33.3% |
| Mississippi | 30 | 0 | — |
| North Dakota | 30 | 0 | 50.0% |
| Maine | 10 | 0 | — |
Career to college
Build a path toward this work.
Start with a related major, then compare colleges where students complete that field.
Where to study
Colleges with strong activity in these fields.
Start with program size, admission, and likely cost. Open a college for the full picture.
University of California-Los Angeles
- Degrees each year
- 407
- Admit rate
- 9%
- Annual cost after aid
- $10,000
University of Florida
- Degrees each year
- 126
- Admit rate
- 24%
- Annual cost after aid
- $7,000
University of California-Santa Cruz
- Degrees each year
- 125
- Admit rate
- 63%
- Annual cost after aid
- $14,000
University of California-Santa Barbara
- Degrees each year
- 121
- Admit rate
- 28%
- Annual cost after aid
- $13,000
Arizona State University Digital Immersion
- Degrees each year
- 118
- Admit rate
- 64%
- Annual cost after aid
- —
University of California-Davis
- Degrees each year
- 114
- Admit rate
- 42%
- Annual cost after aid
- $12,000
Southern New Hampshire University
- Degrees each year
- 103
- Admit rate
- 96%
- Annual cost after aid
- $37,000
University of Central Florida
- Degrees each year
- 102
- Admit rate
- 40%
- Annual cost after aid
- $10,000