What Do Archeologist Do?
Job Description & Duties 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.
Archeologist Responsibilities
- Research, survey, or assess sites of past societies and cultures in search of answers to specific research questions.
- Compare findings from one site with archeological data from other sites to find similarities or differences.
- Create artifact typologies to organize and make sense of past material cultures.
- Consult site reports, existing artifacts, and topographic maps to identify archeological sites.
- Collect artifacts made of stone, bone, metal, and other materials, placing them in bags and marking them to show where they were found.
- Assess archeological sites for resource management, development, or conservation purposes and recommend methods for site protection.
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Archeologist Required Skills
These are the skills Archeologists 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.
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.
Active Learning: Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.
Related Job Titles for this Occupation:
- Research Professor
- Project Director
- Curator
- Archeology Technician
- Archaeologist
Job Outlook for Archeologists
There were about 7,600 jobs for Archeologist 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 Archeologist by 2026. Due to new job openings and attrition, there will be an average of 700 job openings in this field each year.

The states with the most job growth for Archeologist 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.
Archeologist Average Salary
Archeologists make between $36,840 and $97,170 a year.

Archeologists who work in Massachusetts, Hawaii, or Idaho, make the highest salaries.
Below is a list of the median annual salaries for Archeologists in different U.S. states.
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 Archeologists Use?
Below is a list of the types of tools and technologies that Archeologists may use on a daily basis:
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Word
- Microsoft Office
- Microsoft PowerPoint
- Microsoft Outlook
- Web browser software
- Microsoft Access
- Word processing software
- Autodesk AutoCAD
- Adobe Systems Adobe Acrobat
- Adobe Systems Adobe Photoshop
- IBM SPSS Statistics
- Geographic information system GIS software
- Graphics software
- ESRI ArcView
- ESRI ArcInfo
- Leica Geosystems ERDAS IMAGINE
- ESRI ArcGIS software
- Golden Software Surfer
How do I Become an Archeologist?
What kind of Archeologist requirements are there?

How many years of work experience do I need?

Where do Archeologists Work?

Archeologists work in the following industries:

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References:
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More about our data sources and methodologies.
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