Hiring guide · Science, Engineering & Lab
How to Hire an Archaeologist
Pay benchmarks, qualifications, sourcing, screening and interview questions for hiring archaeologists, plus a plan to get them productive fast.
Write a clear job description, offer competitive pay (the national median is $70,770), recruit through community college and university engineering technology and science programs, verify RPA where applicable, run a structured interview with a practical skills check, and onboard with a 30-60-90 day plan.
Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026
The hiring market for archaeologists
There are about 10,200 archaeologists employed in the U.S., with roughly 800 openings each year. Employment is projected to change +6.0% from 2025–35 (faster than average). Expect competition for qualified candidates: speed and a strong offer matter.
Pay benchmarks for offers
| Candidate level | Annual | Hourly* |
|---|---|---|
| Entry level (10th–25th percentile) | $49,050–$59,400 | $23.58–$28.56 |
| Typical / mid-career (median) | $70,770 | $34.02 |
| Experienced (75th percentile) | $89,670 | $43.11 |
| Top of market (90th percentile) | $108,060 | $51.95 |
*Annual ÷ 2,080 hours except median. National BLS data; adjust for your state and metro area. Many states and cities now require pay ranges in job postings.
What to look for
Must-haves
- Master's degree (typical entry level)
- Excavation
- Patience
Nice-to-haves
- RPA
- Field school
- OSHA 10
- Experience with trowels
Where to find archaeologists
- Community college and university engineering technology and science programs
- Co-op and internship programs
- Professional societies such as ASCE, ASME and IEEE
- Military technical veterans
- Job postings that use common alternate titles: Anthropologist, Field Archaeologist, Cultural Resource Manager, Archaeological Technician
Screening checklist
- Degree, transcript or credential verification (PE, FE, ASCP) where required
- A practical exercise, lab test or CAD drawing review
- Background checks for regulated or secure facilities
- Reference checks focused on accuracy and documentation
Follow federal, state and local rules on background checks, drug testing and fair-chance hiring, and apply screening consistently to all candidates for the role.
Interview questions to ask
Ask every candidate the same questions and score answers on a structured scorecard.
1. “Where did you do field school?”
What a strong answer includes: Share.
2. “Describe fieldwork.”
What a strong answer includes: Share.
3. “Do you know Section 106?”
What a strong answer includes: Explain.
4. “Can you travel?”
What a strong answer includes: Answer.
5. “Why archaeology?”
What a strong answer includes: Share.
Practical skills checks
A short demonstration beats a perfect resume. Ask candidates to talk you through, or perform under supervision, tasks such as:
- Excavate a Unit in Levels (see the steps)
- Write a Phase I Survey Report (see the steps)
- Work Respectfully with Tribal Partners (see the steps)
Red flags
- Can’t describe basic safety practices for the role
- Vague or inconsistent work history with no explanation
- Unfamiliar with core terms such as Artifact, Feature, Stratigraphy
- Negative talk about every past employer or coworker
Onboard for retention
The first 90 days decide whether a new hire stays. Use our Archaeologist 30-60-90 day onboarding plan and give every new hire the same foundation with Archaeologist training. Show them the path forward: Field Technician → Crew Chief → Project Archaeologist → Principal Investigator.
Hiring archaeologists: FAQ
How much should I pay an archaeologist?
The U.S. median wage for archaeologists is $70,770 per year ($34.02/hour), according to BLS May 2025 data. Entry-level offers often fall near the 25th percentile ($59,400), while experienced hires command closer to the 75th percentile ($89,670). Adjust for your local market.
What qualifications should an archaeologist have?
BLS lists “master's degree” as the typical entry-level education. Look for RPA and Field school where relevant, plus skills such as excavation, survey, and artifact analysis.
How long does it take to train a new archaeologist?
Becoming qualified typically takes Bachelor’s plus field school; master’s for leadership. After hire, plan for a structured 30-60-90 day onboarding period; BLS classifies on-the-job training for this occupation as “none.”