Archaeologist
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Education & Childcare career
Anthropology Professor
Also called: Anthropology Faculty · Archaeology Professor · Cultural Anthropology Professor · Biological Anthropology Professor
What anthropology professors do, what they earn, how long training takes and how to get started, with official BLS pay data and practical, job-level detail.
What does an anthropology professor do?
Anthropology and archeology teachers, postsecondary, teach courses in anthropology and archeology at colleges and universities, and conduct research. The median pay is $99,650 per year (BLS, May 2025), most people train for about 6–8 years after a bachelor’s, and employment is projected to grow +2.6% from 2025–35.
Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026
- Median pay$99,650Annual salary · May 2025
- Job growth+2.6%2025–35, about as fast as average
- Openings per year400Average, 2025–35
- Typical entry educationDoctoral or professional degreeBLS classification
- Time to train6–8 years after a bachelor’sTypical program length
- U.S. jobs6,500Employment, 2025
What anthropology professors do
Anthropology professors study what makes us human. They teach cultural, biological and linguistic anthropology and archaeology, lead field schools, conduct fieldwork and excavations, analyze artifacts or interviews, and publish findings about societies past and present.
Most hold a Ph.D. Fieldwork may take faculty abroad for weeks or months.
Typical duties
- Teach anthropology courses
- Lead field schools
- Conduct fieldwork
- Analyze artifacts or interviews
- Mentor students
- Publish research
- Serve on committees
Work environment and schedule
Faculty work in classrooms, labs, museums and field sites around the world.
Schedule: Summers often involve fieldwork or field schools.
A day in the life
- Teach intro cultural anthropology.
- Hold office hours.
- Analyze interview transcripts.
- Teach an archaeology lab on artifacts.
See a full day in the life of an anthropology professor →
Anthropology Professor salary
Half of anthropology professors earned more than $99,650 and half earned less in May 2025. Pay ranged from about $57,840 for the lowest 10% to $171,310 for the top 10%.
Full anthropology professor pay scale and hourly rates →
How to become an anthropology professor
- Earn an anthropology bachelor’s
- Do research
- Complete a Ph.D.
- Publish
- Get hired
A Ph.D. in anthropology is typical for universities.
Step-by-step guide to becoming an anthropology professor →
Skills and tools
Technical skills
- Ethnographic methods
- Archaeological methods
- Qualitative analysis
- Research ethics
- Writing
People skills
- Cultural sensitivity
- Curiosity
- Communication
- Adaptability
All anthropology professor skills and tools →
Pros and cons
Pros
- Fascinating subject
- Fieldwork travel
- Research freedom
- Cross-cultural learning
Cons
- Few positions
- Funding challenges
- Long training
- Fieldwork logistics
Certifications and licenses
- Ph.D. in anthropology: Doctoral degree.
- Register of Professional Archaeologists: RPA credential.
- IRB training: Human research ethics.
- Language training: For fieldwork.
Career path
- Graduate Researcher: Train.
- Assistant Professor: Tenure track.
- Associate Professor: Tenure.
- Professor or Chair: Lead departments.
Learn the job before day one
Our Anthropology Professor training (10 hours, $89.99) covers the role, 15+ key terms, step-by-step procedures such as teach ethnographic fieldwork basics and run an archaeology field school, safety and how to land your first job.
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Compare: Anthropology Professor vs. Archaeologist · Anthropology Professor vs. Sociology Professor · Anthropology Professor vs. Cultural Studies Professor · Anthropology Professor vs. Curator
Anthropology Professor FAQ
Do anthropology professors do fieldwork?
Most do, often abroad.
What are the subfields?
Cultural, biological, linguistic anthropology and archaeology.
Do they need a Ph.D.?
Usually.
How much does an anthropology professor make?
The median annual wage for anthropology professors was $99,650 in May 2025, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The lowest 10% earned less than $57,840 and the highest 10% earned more than $171,310.
How long does it take to become an anthropology professor?
Most people need about 6–8 years after a bachelor’s of training. A Ph.D. in anthropology is typical for universities.
Do you need a degree to be an anthropology professor?
Usually. BLS lists a doctoral degree as typical for postsecondary teachers. Universities generally require a Ph.D., while community colleges often hire instructors with a master’s degree.
More anthropology professor questions →
Sources
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025, SOC 25-1061 (Anthropology and archeology teachers, postsecondary).
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS Employment Projections, Table 1.2 (2025–35).
- O*NET OnLine summary for Anthropology and archeology teachers, postsecondary (U.S. Department of Labor).
- BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook.
Reviewed by the Career Education Institute Curriculum Team. Pay figures are national estimates; local pay varies. See our editorial policy.