SALARY GUIDE

Unearth Your Earning Potential as an Archaeologist

From field digs to museum curation, see how experience, specialization, and geography influence pay.

Salary Overview

Compare salaries across experience levels and countries

Entry Level
$40,000 – $50,000
0‑2 years experience
Mid‑Career
$60,000 – $80,000
5‑10 years experience
Senior
$90,000 – $110,000
15+ years experience
Top 10%
$130,000+
High performers
Average Salary by Country
United States$55,000
Canada$48,000
United Kingdom£38,000
AustraliaA$60,000
Germany€45,000
India₹800,000

40‑Year Career Salary Projection

See how your earning potential grows throughout your career

0y10y20y30y40y$40k$60kYears of Experience

Top Paying Industries

Compare average salaries across sectors

Salary by Industry
Cultural Heritage Management$58,000
Academic Research & Teaching$52,000
Museum Curation & Conservation$55,000
Government Archaeology (e.g., National Parks)$60,000
Private Consulting & Environmental Impact$65,000

Salary by Specialization

Explore earning potential in different areas

Prehistoric Archaeology
$53,000
Average annual salary
Classical & Near Eastern Archaeology
$57,000
Average annual salary
Underwater Archaeology
$68,000
Average annual salary
Bioarchaeology & Human Osteology
$62,000
Average annual salary
Archaeological Conservation
$60,000
Average annual salary
Key Factors Affecting Salary
  • Level of education (B.A., M.A., Ph.D.)
  • Years of field experience and leadership roles
  • Geographic location and cost‑of‑living adjustments
  • Grant funding and project budgets
  • Publication record and professional reputation

Certification Impact

Boost your earning potential with professional certifications

Certified Archaeologist (AAAS)
+5% to 8%
Salary increase potential

Global Market Insights

Understand the worldwide salary landscape

Highest Paying
United States
Fastest Growing
China (expanding heritage tourism and infrastructure projects)
Most Stable
United Kingdom (consistent public funding for heritage)
Job Market Outlook

Employment for archaeologists is expected to grow modestly (≈5% over the next decade) as governments and private firms increase investment in cultural resource management, heritage tourism, and climate‑related site assessments. Professionals with advanced degrees, technical GIS skills, and niche specializations such as underwater or bioarchaeology will find the strongest demand and highest salary growth.

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