What Do Anthropologist Do?
Anthropologist Example 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.
A Day in the Life of an Anthropologist
- Advise government agencies, private organizations, and communities regarding proposed programs, plans, and policies and their potential impacts on cultural institutions, organizations, and communities.
- Explain the origins and physical, social, or cultural development of humans, including physical attributes, cultural traditions, beliefs, languages, resource management practices, and settlement patterns.
- Collaborate with economic development planners to decide on the implementation of proposed development policies, plans, and programs based on culturally institutionalized barriers and facilitating circumstances.
- Examine museum collections of hominid fossils to classify anatomical and physiological variations and to determine how they fit into evolutionary theory.
- Create data records for use in describing and analyzing social patterns and processes, using photography, videography, and audio recordings.
- Construct and test data collection methods.
Featured schools near , edit
What an Anthropologist Should Know
These are the skills Anthropologists say are the most useful in their careers:
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:
- Researcher
- Forensic Anthropologist
- Ethnologist
- Research Anthropologist
- Egyptologist
Job Demand for Anthropologists
In the United States, there were 7,600 jobs for Anthropologist in 2016. 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.
What is the Average Salary of an Anthropologist
The salary for Anthropologists ranges between about $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 |
What Tools do Anthropologists Use?
Below is a list of the types of tools and technologies that Anthropologists may use on a daily basis:
- 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 do I Become an Anthropologist?
What education is needed to be an Anthropologist?

What work experience do I need to become an Anthropologist?

Who Employs Anthropologists?

The table below shows the approximate number of Anthropologists employed by various industries.

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
Those who work as an Anthropologist sometimes switch careers to one of these choices:
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.
Featured Schools
![]() |
Southern New Hampshire University You have goals. Southern New Hampshire University can help you get there. Whether you need a bachelor's degree to get into a career or want a master's degree to move up in your current career, SNHU has an online program for you. Find your degree from over 200 online programs. Learn More > |