How Competitive Is It in Archaeology?

Archaeological projects in foreign lands are more difficult to obtain than those at local construction sites.

The field of archaeology requires hard work, long hours, travel and -- perhaps most importantly -- persistence in the face of stiff competition. Finding steady, long-term archaeological jobs prove especially difficult at the entry level, but the dedicated individual should still consider exploring the possibility of working in archaeology in the private or public realm.

Private Consulting vs. Public Sector

State and federal agencies dealing with the outdoors must hire full-time archaeologists to analyze archaeological surveys and plan preservation associated with historic sites. Consulting archaeologists work in the private sector and bid for archaeological contracts doing hands-on surveys, investigations and testing. Some consulting archaeologists work as individual consultants, while others work within larger companies. Positions in the public sector or with private companies are scarce, with many applicants fighting over the same job, but individual consultants bidding for contracts face even greater competition. First, build a reputation with a company or within the public sector before competing individually.

Specific Fields

Specializing in a specific field of archaeology improves an archaeologist's chances of getting work in that field. An archaeologist specializing in ancient Mayan culture, for example, will likely be chosen before someone with unrelated or general experience. While specialization allows an archaeologist to build knowledge, experience and a reputation within a field, some fields face greater competition than others. Popular fields, such as Egyptology, prove especially competitive and require many years of graduate study leading into a doctoral-level degree just to break into.

Academic Positions

Archaeologists might also consider working in the academic realm at universities, colleges and museums. Working in the academic realm provides a steady, full-time paycheck while allowing the archaeologist time to perform independent research. These jobs often prove even more competitive than those in the professional field, though. Long-term opportunities in the professional realm, from general work at construction sites to specialized tasks, open up more frequently than academic positions, and most academic positions seek archaeologists with a Ph.D. and a history of professional experience.

Salary Differences

The archaeologist's salary closely compares with the average salary for other careers in the social sciences and humanities. An entry-level archaeologist with a four-year degree entering the professional realm typically earns around $20,000 annually if employed by the government or by private companies with strong reputations, but unknown independent contractors make significantly less. That salary increases with experience. As of 2009, the average professional salary rested between $55,000 and $60,000. Competitive teaching positions at universities earn anywhere from $35,000 to $50,000 starting out.

Starting Early

Because of the competitive nature of archaeology, the interested individual should start gaining experience as early as possible. High school students should look for summer jobs, internships and volunteer opportunities with local museums, libraries, historic sites, historical societies and archaeological societies. High school students must also research and choose the best university with the best program for the type of archaeology they wish to pursue. The more advanced the field, the more education required. At the college level, individuals should seek archaeological internships and contact their state archaeological society for information on attending digs.

References

• Indiana University: The Business of Archaeology
• Current Archaeology: A Career in Archaeology
• The University of Memphis: Institute of Egyptian Art and Archaeology
• ArchNet: General Information on Starting a Career in Archaeology
• Indiana State Government: Frequently Asked Questions about a Career in Archaeology in the U.S.
• CollegeBoard: Anthropologists and Archaeologists