All careers › Anthropology and Archeology Teachers, Postsecondary
Anthropology professor: pay, job outlook and how to become one
- $57,840lowest 10% earn less
- $75,20025th percentile
- $99,650median
- $128,75075th percentile
- $171,310top 10% earn more
Anthropology professors earned a median of $99,650 a year in May 2025[1]. BLS projects job growth a little slower than the average for all occupations[2][3].
- Job growth, 2025–35
- +2.6%[2]
- Openings per year
- 400[6]
- Typical entry education
- Doctoral or professional degree[7]
How much do anthropology professors make?
The official BLS title is Anthropology and Archeology Teachers, Postsecondary. In May 2025, the median pay was $99,650 a year[1]. Half of workers earned more and half earned less[1]. The average was $106,880[8]. For all occupations in the US, the median was $50,980[5].
Pay varies a lot from one worker to the next. The lowest-paid 10% earned less than $57,840[4]. The highest-paid 10% sits above the 90th percentile of $171,310[4].
| Percentile | Annual wage |
|---|---|
| 10th[4] | $57,840 |
| 25th[4] | $75,200 |
| Median[1] | $99,650 |
| 75th[4] | $128,750 |
| 90th[4] | $171,310 |
BLS reports these pay boundaries, called percentiles. It does not publish a starting salary[9]. It also publishes only annual wages for this job, not hourly wages[10]. The figures cover wage and salary workers. They leave out the self-employed and do not include bonuses or the cost of benefits[11]. About 5,240 people held these jobs in May 2025[12].
Pay by state and city
Among the states with published data, Missouri was listed first at a median of $130,500, followed by California at $128,370 and Connecticut at $112,860[13]. North Carolina was listed last at $64,380[13]. Some states have only a few dozen jobs, so their medians rest on small counts[13].
New York had the most jobs at 670[14]. California came next with 630[14]. Texas had 280, and Massachusetts and North Carolina had 250 each[14].
Among metro areas with at least 100 jobs, Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim had the highest median at $131,660, followed by Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom at $129,380[15]. The New York-Newark-Jersey City area had the most jobs at 500, with a median of $101,450[16].
Show median pay in 30 states and DC
| State | Median per year | Jobs |
|---|---|---|
| Missouri[13] | $130,500 | 160 |
| California | $128,370 | 630 |
| Connecticut | $112,860 | 100 |
| Massachusetts | $107,390 | 250 |
| District of Columbia | $106,470 | 50 |
| Michigan | $104,890 | 170 |
| Maryland | $104,770 | 70 |
| New Mexico | $104,510 | 40 |
| Oregon | $103,110 | 140 |
| Kentucky | $102,140 | 60 |
| Texas | $102,060 | 280 |
| Alaska | $101,700 | 40 |
| Pennsylvania | $100,880 | 140 |
| New York | $99,500 | 670 |
| Tennessee | $98,160 | 80 |
| Minnesota | $97,660 | 90 |
| Virginia | $94,260 | 230 |
| Iowa | $86,390 | 40 |
| Washington | $86,160 | 140 |
| Maine | $85,900 | 40 |
| Indiana | $85,460 | 110 |
| Illinois | $84,790 | 180 |
| New Jersey | $82,910 | 190 |
| Arizona | $80,720 | 100 |
| South Carolina | $80,370 | 40 |
| Colorado | $78,780 | 170 |
| Utah | $78,720 | 60 |
| Wisconsin | $77,750 | 90 |
| Florida | $76,460 | 60 |
| Ohio | $76,440 | 180 |
| North Carolina | $64,380 | 250 |
How to become an anthropology professor
BLS says the typical education for entry is a doctoral or professional degree. It lists no typical work experience and no typical on-the-job training[7]. In an O*NET survey of 22 workers, 68% said a doctoral degree is required and 18% said a master's degree[17].
- First: earn a bachelor's or master's degree. Students typically need one of these to enroll in a doctoral program[18].
- Next: complete the doctoral program. These programs usually take several years, and most ask for a dissertation based on original research[18].
- Then: look for teaching work. Some teachers gain experience as graduate teaching assistants while still enrolled[19]. Some schools prefer to hire people with teaching experience[20].
- Later: many people with a doctorate seek tenure, which protects a professor from being fired without just cause. Reaching it may take up to 7 years across the ranks of assistant professor, associate professor and professor[21].
A master's degree may be enough at some community colleges, though some of them prefer a Ph.D.[22].
These training details come from a BLS profile that covers a wider group of postsecondary teachers, not only anthropology[23].
What anthropology professors do
O*NET describes the job as teaching anthropology or archeology. Some teachers mainly teach and others combine teaching with research[24]. Typical tasks include:
- Advising students on their courses, careers and field or lab research[25].
- Preparing and giving lectures on topics such as research methods and urban anthropology[25].
- Leading classroom discussions[25].
- Grading papers, assignments and other class work[25].
- Writing syllabi, homework and handouts[25].
- Doing research, including ethnographic fieldwork, and sharing results in journals, books or at conferences[25].
- Overseeing student lab or field work and student research[25].
- Keeping up with the field by reading and attending conferences[25].
Workers in the survey reported job titles such as anthropology lecturer, archaeology professor and anthropology department chair[26].
Where they work
For the wider group of postsecondary teachers, BLS lists colleges, universities and professional schools under state ownership as the largest employer group, at 41%[27].
Most postsecondary teachers work full time, but part-time work is common. Some part-timers teach at several schools, and some hold another job in their field[28]. Classes are generally held during the day, with some evening or weekend courses[29]. Academic calendars include breaks between terms. Some teachers use the summer to teach and others use it for research[30]. Schedules are generally flexible, though full-time teachers need to be on campus for classes and office hours[31].
BLS also notes that balancing teaching with research and publishing may be stressful, especially for beginning teachers seeking advancement[32].
Job outlook
BLS projects employment to grow 2.6% from 2025 to 2035, from about 6,500 to 6,700 jobs, a gain of about 200[2]. Employment in all occupations is projected to grow 3.5% over the same period[3]. These projection counts include self-employed workers[2]. The May 2025 pay survey counts only wage and salary jobs[12].
BLS expects about 400 openings a year on average[6]. Openings include jobs that open when people retire or move to other work, not only new jobs[6]. Each year, 3.5% of workers are projected to leave the labor force and 3% to move to a different occupation[33].
Is it a good fit?
The pay is above the all-occupations median, and the range from the 10th to the 90th percentile is wide[1][4][5]. The typical route runs through a doctoral degree, which usually takes several years[7][18]. The field is small, with about 5,240 wage and salary jobs[12]. Projected growth is a little below the all-occupations rate[2][3]. The facts here do not say how hard it is to win a position, so that is worth asking about before you commit.
Frequently asked questions
- How much does an anthropology professor make?
- The median was $99,650 a year in May 2025 and the average was $106,880[1][8]. The lowest-paid 10% earned less than $57,840[4].
- How much does an anthropology professor make an hour?
- BLS publishes only annual wages for this job, not hourly wages[10].
- What degree do you need to be an anthropology professor?
- BLS lists a doctoral or professional degree as the typical entry education[7]. Some community colleges may hire people with a master's degree[22].
- Are anthropology professors in demand?
- BLS projects 2.6% growth from 2025 to 2035, against 3.5% for all occupations, with about 400 openings a year[2][3][6].
- What is the highest paying state for anthropology professors?
- Missouri was listed first, with a median of $130,500, followed by California at $128,370[13].
Facts and sources
- BLS OEWS, May 2025: the median wage for Anthropology and Archeology Teachers, Postsecondary in the US was $99,650 per year. Half of workers earned more and half earned less. BLS OEWS, May 2025
- BLS Employment Projections: employment of Anthropology and Archeology Teachers, Postsecondary is projected to grow 2.6% from 2025 to 2035, from about 6,500 to 6,700 jobs (a change of +200). These counts include self-employed workers. BLS Employment Projections
- BLS Employment Projections: employment in all occupations is projected to grow 3.5% from 2025 to 2035. BLS Employment Projections
- BLS OEWS, May 2025, annual wage percentiles for Anthropology and Archeology Teachers, Postsecondary: 10th percentile $57,840, 25th percentile $75,200, 75th percentile $128,750, 90th percentile $171,310. The 10th percentile means 10% of workers earned less. BLS OEWS, May 2025
- BLS OEWS, May 2025: the median annual wage for all occupations in the US was $50,980. BLS OEWS, May 2025
- BLS Employment Projections: about 400 openings for Anthropology and Archeology Teachers, Postsecondary are projected each year, on average, from 2025 to 2035. Openings include jobs that open when workers retire or move to other occupations, not only new jobs. BLS Employment Projections
- BLS Employment Projections, typical path into Anthropology and Archeology Teachers, Postsecondary: education needed for entry: Doctoral or professional degree; work experience in a related occupation: None; typical on-the-job training: None. BLS Employment Projections
- BLS OEWS, May 2025: the mean (average) wage for Anthropology and Archeology Teachers, Postsecondary was $106,880 per year. BLS OEWS, May 2025
- BLS OEWS FAQ: a percentile wage is a boundary. The median (50th percentile) separates the highest-paid 50% from the lowest-paid 50% of workers in the occupation. OEWS publishes percentile wages, not a starting salary. BLS OEWS, May 2025
- BLS publishes only annual wages for Anthropology and Archeology Teachers, Postsecondary, not hourly wages, because many work fewer than 2,080 hours a year but are paid yearly. BLS OEWS, May 2025
- BLS OEWS FAQ: OEWS covers part-time and full-time workers paid a wage or salary. It does not cover the self-employed, owners and partners in unincorporated firms, household workers or unpaid family workers. OEWS wages do not include nonproduction bonuses or employer costs of benefits such as health insurance or retirement contributions. BLS OEWS, May 2025
- BLS OEWS, May 2025: about 5,240 people were employed as Anthropology and Archeology Teachers, Postsecondary in the US (wage and salary jobs, not counting self-employed workers). BLS OEWS, May 2025
- Median annual wage for Anthropology and Archeology Teachers, Postsecondary in every state with published data, May 2025 (table on this page). BLS OEWS, May 2025
- BLS OEWS, May 2025, states with the most Anthropology and Archeology Teachers, Postsecondary jobs: New York 670; California 630; Texas 280; Massachusetts 250; North Carolina 250. BLS OEWS, May 2025
- BLS OEWS, May 2025, metro areas with the highest median annual wage for Anthropology and Archeology Teachers, Postsecondary (areas with at least 100 jobs): Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA $131,660; Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA $129,380; Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH $106,480; Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV $105,960; Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA $105,240; New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ $101,450; Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN $81,050. BLS OEWS, May 2025
- BLS OEWS, May 2025, metro areas with the most Anthropology and Archeology Teachers, Postsecondary jobs: New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ 500 (median $101,450); Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH 190 (median $106,480); Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA 180 (median $131,660); Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV 140 (median $105,960); Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA 130 (median $129,380); Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN 100 (median $81,050). BLS OEWS, May 2025
- O*NET 25-1061.00 survey of workers (22 respondents), education level they say is required: Doctoral Degree 68%, Master's Degree 18% (levels under 5% not listed). O*NET OnLine
- Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Education. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Work Experience in a Related Occupation. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Work Experience in a Related Occupation. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Advancement. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Education. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- The BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook profile "Postsecondary Teachers" covers Anthropology and Archeology Teachers, Postsecondary together with other related occupations, so its text describes the wider group. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- O*NET description of Anthropology and Archeology Teachers, Postsecondary. O*NET OnLine
- O*NET task list for Anthropology and Archeology Teachers, Postsecondary. O*NET OnLine
- O*NET 25-1061.00 sample job titles reported by workers: Anthropology Department Chair, Anthropology Instructor, Anthropology Lecturer, Anthropology Professor, Archaeology Professor, Assistant Professor, Cultural Anthropology Professor, Instructor. O*NET OnLine
- BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, largest employers of postsecondary teachers in 2025: Colleges, universities, and professional schools; state 41%. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment: Work Schedules. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment: Work Schedules. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment: Work Schedules. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment: Work Schedules. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- BLS Employment Projections, 2025-35 annual average for Anthropology and Archeology Teachers, Postsecondary: 3.5% of workers leave the labor force each year and 3% move to a different occupation. BLS Employment Projections
- Related occupations (O*NET) with BLS pay, growth and entry education. O*NET OnLine
This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. CareerFacts has modified all or some of this information. USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.