Job description

Archaeologists study prehistoric peoples and their cultures by recording, analysing and preserving their artefacts, monuments, inscriptions and other cultural remains.

Many archaeologists choose to specialise in a particular area of archaeology, such as historical archaeology, historical archaeology, taphonomy, osteology, aerial archaeology or marine archaeology.

Duties

    • Identify, survey or assess sites using various methods such as aerial photography
    • Participate in excavations or digs
    • Records finds and sites using photography, detailed notes and drawings
    • Identify and classify finds
    • Clean, restore and preserve artefacts and buildings
    • Conduct laboratory tests, such as carbon dating
    • Produce and publish detailed excavation and site reports
    • Present findings to peers and the general public

Skills and qualities

Analytical
Critical thinking
Communication
Physical stamina
Attention to detail
Active learning
Problem solving
Patience
Organisational
Manual dexterity
Writing
Research
Negotiation

Job outlook

Projected growth
The projected growth rate of employment in the US from 2018 to 2028, based on data collected through the BLS Employment Projections (EP) programme. The national average growth rate for all professions is 5%.

10%

New jobs
The number of jobs projected to become available in the US between 2018 and 2028, based on data collected through the BLS Employment Projections (EP) programme.

600

Automation risk
The probability of computerisation, based on data published in ‘The Future of Employment’, a 2013 working paper by Carl Benedikt Frey and Michael Osborne.

0.77%

Career progression

You will typically begin your career in archaeology as a site digger. With experience, you could progress to a more senior role, such as site supervisor.

After further study, you could also move into a lecturing or academic research role, or even pursue consultancy work.

Working conditions

Average hours

40h/ week

Typical schedule

Full Time

Nights and weekends occasionally

Archaeologists work in a variety of settings, including offices, laboratories and museums. They also often do fieldwork, which is conducted in all kinds of weather. Fieldwork is physically demanding and requires wearing protective clothing. It may also involve living in remote areas for extended periods of time, sometimes between one and two months a year. Local and international travel is frequent, particularly to excavation sites and for attending meetings, seminars and conferences.

Salary

Bottom 10%

$37k

Median

$62k

Top 10%

$97k

Annual salary estimates are based on percentile wage data collected through the Occupational Employment Statistics (OES) survey of US workers.

Qualifications and training

Education level

Postgraduate

Master’s degree in archaeology

Study time

6 years

The minimum requirement for becoming an archaeologist is a bachelor’s degree, which typically takes four years to complete. However, this will only get you so far, with opportunities limited mainly to assistant or fieldworker roles.

A master’s degree in archaeology is preferred by most employers and will boost your career prospects. This generally takes two years to complete and involves field and lab research.

That said, some jobs – particularly in academia and research – require a minimum of a PhD, which can take a further two to four (or sometimes more) years to complete.

Last Updated: Wednesday, November 2, 2022

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