Anthropologists and Archeologists Salary
The median pay for a anthropologists and archeologists in California is $72,240/year ($34.73/hour), per BLS data. The range runs from $55K at the entry level to $105K for experienced workers. Prices run high here (RPP 106.14), so that salary is closer to $68,061 in real purchasing power. A 2-bedroom apartment runs $2,471/month, about 52.4% of take-home, which is tight.
Statewide average. Salary and cost of living vary significantly across California. Jump to a metro for precise data:
So what does $72K get you in California?
About anthropologists and archeologists
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What this looks like in California
Anthropologists and archeologists pay in California tracks closely to the national median, $72K locally vs. $71K nationwide, a 2% difference. The catch: housing math doesn't keep up. A 2-bedroom at the HUD median rents for $2,471/month, which is 52.6% of the median worker's take-home, past the 30% guideline most planners use. Cost-of-living overall is 6% above the national average (BEA RPP 106.14), so groceries and services cost more too. Use the affordability calculator above to model your specific situation.
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, California
Entry-level anthropologists and archeologists (10th percentile) start around $55K. Mid-career wages sit at $72K. Top earners bring in $105K or more, a $50K spread from bottom to top.
Anthropologists and Archeologists salary by metro in California
9 metro areas with BLS data, ranked by median pay
| Metro area | Median salary | vs. state | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom | $80K | +10% | 200 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara | $76K | +5% | 90 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont | $75K | +4% | 350 |
| Santa Rosa-Petaluma | $74K | +3% | 40 |
| Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura | $67K | -8% | 60 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad | $66K | -8% | 230 |
| Santa Cruz-Watsonville | $66K | -9% | 40 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim | $65K | -10% | 540 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario | $64K | -12% | 110 |
Compare to other states
Track anthropologists and archeologists salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when California numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
Can a anthropologists and archeologist afford a 2BR apartment alone in California?
It’s a stretch — at the median salary of $72K, rent takes 52.6% of take-home pay. A 2-bedroom at the HUD Fair Market Rent runs $2,471/month. The 30% guideline puts the comfortable ceiling at roughly $1,400/month in rent — so roommates or a 1-bedroom would ease the math significantly.
What’s the entry-level salary for anthropologists and archeologists in California?
The 10th-percentile wage — what new anthropologists and archeologists typically earn — is $55K/year. Take-home on that works out to about $3,308/month. At HUD’s $2,471/month FMR, rent would take 75% of that take-home — above the 30% guideline, so a 1-bedroom or shared housing is likely necessary starting out.
Is anthropologists and archeologist a high-paying job in California?
Pay here is roughly in line with the national average — $72K locally vs. $71K nationally, a 2% difference.
How does California compare to the national average for anthropologists and archeologists?
California pays $72K median vs. the U.S. average of $71K — that’s +2%. After adjusting for local cost of living (RPP 106.14), the purchasing-power equivalent is $68K — below the national median.
How much do anthropologists and archeologists make in California?
The median is $72,240 a year, that works out to about $35 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $55,140, and experienced anthropologists and archeologists can clear $104,770. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $72K enough to live in California?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $4,694/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $2,471/month, which eats 52.6% of your paycheck. That's above the 30% rule of thumb, housing will be a stretch at the median salary, though you can manage with roommates or a smaller place.
How far does a anthropologists and archeologists salary go in California?
California has a Regional Price Parity of 106.14 (100 is the national average). Prices are above average here, so your dollar buys less than the same salary would in a cheaper metro. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median anthropologists and archeologists salary is worth about $68,061 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do anthropologists and archeologists get paid the most?
The table above ranks every state by median pay for this role. Keep in mind that the highest-paying states tend to have the highest costs of living, so the top salary doesn't always mean the most money in your pocket.