Careers in Anthropology

What jobs can I get with an anthropology degree?

There are a wide range of jobs for individuals with an anthropology degree and can depend on your specialization (e.g., cultural anthropology, medical anthropology, biological anthropology, and archaeology):

  • Museums
  • Cultural Resource Management
  • National Park Ranger
  • Program Director
  • Archaeologist
  • Environmental Scientist
  • Community Health Worker
  • Public Health Specialist
  • Local and state employee positions
  • User experience (UX) researcher
  • Education

Our alumni have found work in federal, state, and county government positions, in cultural resource management, in public health, user experience, education, and more. You can read more about our alumni's thoughts on the Anthropology Program and their careers on the Alumni Testimonials webpage.
 

Average Salary

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (2024) reports that the median pay for anthropologists and archaeologists is $63,940, or $30.74 per hour.
 

Job Growth

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (2024) states that the job growth forecast for anthropologists and archaeologists is 4% or, as fast as average.
 

Graduate School

A Bachelor Degree in Anthropology will prepare you for graduate degree programs in many disciplines. These include Anthropology, Public Health, Law, Social Work, and more!

Moreover, a Minor in Anthropology can help round out the key skills you develop in other degree programs and can help inform your future career and graduate school aspirations. We offer both a Minor in Anthropology and a Minor in Medical Anthropology.

Among the graduate universities and programs our students have gone on to attend include:

  • Adams State University
    • MA, Archaeology
       
  • Binghamton University
    • MA, Biological Anthropology
       
  • California State University, Chico
    • MA, Museum Studies
       
  • California State University, Stanislaus
    • MS, Interdisciplinary Studies
    • MSW, Social Work
       
  • George Washington University
    • MA, Museum Studies
       
  • San Francisco State University
    • MA, Museum Studies
       
  • San Jose State University
    • MA, Applied Anthropology
       
  • University of California, San Francisco
    • MPH, Public Health
       
  • University of California, Santa Barbara
    • PhD, Environmental Anthropology
       
  • University of Montana
    • MSW, Social Work
       
  • University of South Florida
    • MA, Medical Anthropology
       
  • Vanderbilt University
    • PhD, Archaeology
       

Resources

Recently, the Anthropology Career Readiness Commission was convened. This commission produced a variety of key resources to help students and professionals curate their resumes, skills, and more to land professional jobs. You can get these resources from their website and find more information on the Anthropology Career Readiness Network website.

For more information about The Anthropology Career Readiness Network, view their group on LinkedIn.

Updated: May 27, 2024