Archaeologist

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Work Tasks

• Look at the history, customs, and habits of people who lived long ago
• Dig up buried cities and tombs to find artifacts left behind from people who lived long ago
• Study graves, buildings, tools, weapons, jewelry, and pottery to find out what happened in the past
• Work for the government, research firms, colleges, museums, and historical societies
• Travel to areas all over the world and stay at the site for a long time
• Work with artifacts, digging tools, special cleaning instruments, written reports of findings, and computers

Salary, Size & Growth

• $71,500 average per year ($34.50 per hour)
• A small occupation (5,100 workers in 2010)
• Expected to grow rapidly (2.8% per year)

Education/Training

• Minimum for Entry: A 4-year degree in archaeology; a master's degree for specialties in fields other than teaching
• Employers Prefer: A Ph.D. degree for college or university teaching or research and administrative positions
• Skills/Courses: College courses include internships or field experience in how to excavate historical sites.