What can I do with a degree in Anthropology?
An undergraduate degree in anthropology can prepare you for a number of exciting career paths. While traditionally, anthropologists have been employed in university settings, many other opportunities are available in today’s world for trained anthropologists with a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree, including work in government, corporate centers, museums, non-profit organizations, and cultural resource management.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, "Employment of anthropologists and archaeologists is expected to grow 5% from 2019 to 2029, faster than the average for all occupations.” In 2019, anthropologists in the United States earned a median salary of $63,670 per year.1
At a glance…
- Archaeology: Most professional archaeologists work in cultural resource management (CRM) - they mitigate the effects of federal undertakings on archaeological sites. Other archaeologists are employed by museums, universities, and government agencies.
- Cultural Anthropology: Cultural anthropologists are increasingly being employed by corporations, non-profit and advocacy groups, and government agencies.
- Biological Anthropology: While some biological anthropologists may work in an academic setting, others work in forensic labs or with law enforcement, zoos, pharmaceutical firms, museums, or in industry.
- Linguistic Anthropology: In addition to working in academic settings, linguistic anthropologists are often employed by government agencies and corporations.
1Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2020 Edition. http://www.bls.gov/ooh/life-physical-and-social-science/anthropologists-and-archeologists.htm
Useful Career Links:
American Anthropological Association
American Association of Physical Anthropologists