Geoscientist
Median wage · national
$101,920
Range: $75K – $139K
Employed
23K
Openings/yr
2K
Typically: bachelor's degree
Anthropology and Archeology Teachers
Anthropology and Archeology Teachers earn $99,650 nationally at the median. The middle 50% of workers fall between $75,200 and $128,750. Where you land depends on specialization, employer, and experience.
About Anthropology and Archeology Teachers
Teach courses in anthropology or archeology. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.
- Median Wage
- $99,650
- Employed Nationally
- 5K
- Openings / Year
- 500
- Entry Education
- Doctoral or professional degree
- Job Zone
- Zone 5: Extensive Preparation
Also known as:
Adjunct Anthropology Instructor
Adjunct Anthropology Lecturer
Adjunct Instructor
Anthropology Adjunct Professor
Anthropology Department Chair
How Much Do Anthropology and Archeology Teachers Make?
Anthropology and Archeology Teachers earn $99,650 nationally, well above the national median for college graduates. The middle 50% of earners fall between $75,200 and $128,750. Actual pay varies by employer, specialization, and location.
$99,650
National Median (Annual)
Well above average for college graduates.
$75K–$129K
Middle 50% Range
25th to 75th percentile. Most workers earn within this band.
Earnings Range
$75,200
Entry-level
$99,650
Median
$128,750
Experienced
What Do Anthropology and Archeology Teachers Do?
O*NET data identifies 5 core activities and 5 measurable skills for Anthropology and Archeology Teachers roles. Use this section to judge whether the day-to-day reality aligns with what you actually want to spend time doing.
What You'll Do
- Advise students on academic and vocational curricula, career issues, and laboratory and field research.
- Initiate, facilitate, and moderate classroom discussions.
- Prepare and deliver lectures to undergraduate or graduate students on topics such as research methods, urban anthropology, and language and culture.
- Keep abreast of developments in the field by reading current literature, talking with colleagues, and participating in professional conferences.
- Evaluate and grade students' class work, assignments, and papers.
Core Skills Employers Look For
Speaking
Reading Comprehension
Writing
Instructing
Learning Strategies
Who Thrives Here
S
Social
Working closely with people, teaching, advising, or helping others navigate challenges is a defining feature of this career's daily work.
I
Investigative
This career demands analytical thinking: researching problems, interpreting data, and applying logical reasoning to find practical solutions.
R
Realistic
Hands-on tasks, physical activity, or working with tools and real materials are central parts of the daily work here.
Where Do Anthropology and Archeology Teachers Work?
What the physical and mental conditions of this job actually look like day to day, based on O*NET Work Context data collected from people working in this occupation.
Work Setting
Mixed
Split between indoor and outdoor or field settings.
Physical Demands
Light
Mix of sitting and movement throughout the day.
Stress Level
Low
Low time pressure. Work pace is typically steady and self-directed.
What Is the Job Outlook for Anthropology and Archeology Teachers?
The BLS projects +2.7% employment change for Anthropology and Archeology Teachers through 2034, below the national average of +5%. About 500 openings per year keep the field accessible to new entrants.
↗ +2.7%
10-Year Growth (2024–2034)
Slower than average.
500
Annual Openings
New positions plus replacements for retirees and career-changers.
5K
Currently Employed
Total US employment as of BLS May 2024.
Source: BLS Employment Projections 2024–2034 and Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics May 2024.
Where the Jobs Are
The five states below employ the most Anthropology and Archeology Teachers professionals nationwide. State-level wages can differ significantly from the $99,650 national median. Research your specific market before committing to a program.
| # | State | Jobs | Median Wage | vs. National |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | California | 690 | $119,490 | +19.9% |
| 2 | New York | 610 | $103,030 | +3.4% |
| 3 | Texas | 370 | $95,060 | -4.6% |
| 4 | Pennsylvania | 290 | $93,050 | -6.6% |
| 5 | North Carolina | 270 | $76,710 | -23.0% |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2024. Employment figures rounded. Read our methodology →
How to Get Here
Most Anthropology and Archeology Teachers positions require a doctoral or professional degree to qualify. The 4 programs below are the most common academic pathways into this field, ranked by how many graduates they produce each year.
Typical Entry Education
Doctoral or professional degree
Job Zone
Zone 5: Extensive Preparation
Extensive education (usually a master's or doctoral degree) plus years of field experience is required to qualify for most positions.
Degree Programs That Lead Here
| # | Program | Graduates/yr | 4yr Median | Colleges |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Anthropology | 10,899 | $46,676 | 589 |
| 2 | Sociology and Anthropology | 552 | $46,959 | 61 |
| 3 | Archeology | 339 | $41,748 | 77 |
| 4 | Classical and Ancient Studies | 290 | $50,477 | 77 |
Top Colleges for Aspiring Anthropology and Archeology Teachers
Colleges offering the degree programs that lead to this career, ranked by UCD Score. A strong program plus solid outcomes is a good place to begin your search.
| # | College | UCD Score | Net Price | Salary 10yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Princeton University Princeton, NJ | 94 | $6,128 | $110,066 |
| 2 | University of California-Los Angeles Los Angeles, CA | 93 | $12,548 | $82,511 |
| 3 | University of California-San Diego La Jolla, CA | 93 | $12,470 | $84,943 |
| 4 | University of California-Berkeley Berkeley, CA | 93 | $13,481 | $92,446 |
| 5 | University of Florida Gainesville, FL | 93 | $6,541 | $71,588 |
| 6 | University of California-Irvine Irvine, CA | 92 | $14,251 | $80,735 |
Plan Your Path
Once you've sized up Anthropology and Archeology Teachers, these tools turn the numbers into a plan. Estimate the real cost of a degree that leads here, weigh the long-term payoff, compare specific colleges side-by-side, and find programs that match your profile.
College ROI Calculator
See if the degree that leads to Anthropology and Archeology Teachers pays off. Weighs each college's cost against the earnings graduates see.
College Cost Calculator
Enter a budget and see the colleges whose net price fits, with the out-of-pocket cost and likely loan load for each.
Compare Colleges
Put any 2–4 colleges side-by-side. Admissions, cost, outcomes, and earnings, all on one screen, no tab-hopping.
College Match Quiz
Answer six quick questions and see your best-fit colleges ranked by budget, field of study, and what matters most to you.
Anthropology and Archeology Teachers Pros & Cons
The data on Anthropology and Archeology Teachers shows 2 measurable strengths and 2 real trade-offs. All points are drawn from BLS wage data, employment projections, and IPEDS program completions.
PROS
- Very high median salary The national median of $99,650 places this career well above average for college graduates, with significant upside at the 75th percentile.
- High earning ceiling Top earners (75th percentile) reach $128,750 annually. Strong performers, specialists, and those in high-cost markets have significant upside beyond the median.
CONS
- Slow job growth At +2.7% projected growth, this career lags the national average. Limited expansion means stiffer competition for openings that do appear.
- High education requirement Most employers require a doctoral or professional degree, typically 6 to 10+ years of higher education before earning full wages. Factor tuition costs into your ROI calculation.
Anthropology and Archeology Teachers Frequently Asked Questions
How much do Anthropology and Archeology Teachers professionals earn?
The national median annual wage for Anthropology and Archeology Teachers is $99,650, above the national median for full-time workers. The middle 50% of earners fall between $75,200 and $128,750. Pay varies by employer size, industry sector, specialization, and geography. National figures are a starting point, not a guarantee.
Is Anthropology and Archeology Teachers a good career?
Yes, for the right person, but the commitment is significant. The $99,650 median wage reflects years of training most workers invest, and the path to a first career-level role typically spans 8 to 12 or more years. Research salary outcomes at specific programs, not just the national median, before committing to a graduate path.
How long does it take to become a Anthropology and Archeology Teachers?
Plan on 8 to 12 or more years of combined education and supervised training before qualifying for career-level roles. A doctoral or professional degree is the typical minimum credential. Degree programs like Anthropology are typical entry paths. Early-career pay during this ramp-up period will be meaningfully below the $99,650 national median. Factor that gap into any program ROI calculation.
Is a doctoral or professional degree worth it to become a Anthropology and Archeology Teachers?
For in-state public programs, generally yes. The margin tightens significantly at private schools with heavy debt loads. A $99,650 median may take 15 to 20 years to recover at high-cost programs. School choice (specifically tuition cost and your expected local job market) matters as much as the credential itself.
What is the job outlook for Anthropology and Archeology Teachers?
The BLS projects +2.7% employment change for Anthropology and Archeology Teachers through 2034, slower than average compared to all occupations. About 500 job openings per year are projected, including new positions and replacements for workers who retire or change careers. 5K people currently work in this occupation nationwide (BLS May 2024).
Why do Anthropology and Archeology Teachers salaries vary so widely?
The $53,550 gap between the 25th ($75,200) and 75th ($128,750) percentile reflects how much employer type, industry, specialization, and geography affect pay. Entry-level roles and lower-demand markets cluster near the bottom; senior, specialized, or high-cost-metro positions push the top. In fields with this much spread, where you work and what you specialize in often matters more than years of experience.
What skills do Anthropology and Archeology Teachers professionals need?
O*NET data identifies the core skills employers consistently prioritize for Anthropology and Archeology Teachers roles: Speaking, Reading Comprehension, Writing, Instructing, and Learning Strategies. These develop through formal education and hands-on work. Programs with internship or co-op requirements give you a meaningful head start on the ones that take time to build.
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