Anthropologists and Archeologists Salary
The median pay for a anthropologists and archeologists in Hawaii is $84,530/year ($40.64/hour), per BLS data. The range runs from $61K at the entry level to $144K for experienced workers. Prices run high here (RPP 110.17), so that salary is closer to $76,727 in real purchasing power. A 2-bedroom apartment runs $2,240/month, about 42.2% of take-home, which is tight.
Statewide average. Salary and cost of living vary significantly across Hawaii. Jump to a metro for precise data:
So what does $85K get you in Hawaii?
About anthropologists and archeologists
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What this looks like in Hawaii
Hawaii sits well above the national pay line for anthropologists and archeologists, local pay runs about 19% higher than the U.S. median of $71K. The catch: housing math doesn't keep up. A 2-bedroom at the HUD median rents for $2,240/month, which is 43.5% of the median worker's take-home, past the 30% guideline most planners use. Cost-of-living overall is 10% above the national average (BEA RPP 110.17), so groceries and services cost more too. The pay premium is real, but so are the offsets.
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Hawaii
Entry-level anthropologists and archeologists (10th percentile) start around $61K. Mid-career wages sit at $85K. Top earners bring in $144K or more, a $83K spread from bottom to top.
Anthropologists and Archeologists salary by metro in Hawaii
1 metro area with BLS data, ranked by median pay
| Metro area | Median salary | vs. state | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Urban Honolulu | $85K | +0% | 170 |
Compare to other states
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BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Hawaii numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
Can a anthropologists and archeologist afford a 2BR apartment alone in Hawaii?
It’s a stretch — at the median salary of $85K, rent takes 43.5% of take-home pay. A 2-bedroom at the HUD Fair Market Rent runs $2,240/month. The 30% guideline puts the comfortable ceiling at roughly $1,500/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 Hawaii?
The 10th-percentile wage — what new anthropologists and archeologists typically earn — is $61K/year. Take-home on that works out to about $3,632/month. At HUD’s $2,240/month FMR, rent would take 62% 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 Hawaii?
Local pay is 19% above the national median — $85K here vs. $71K nationally. Keep in mind cost of living here is 10% above the national average, which offsets some of that premium.
How does Hawaii compare to the national average for anthropologists and archeologists?
Hawaii pays $85K median vs. the U.S. average of $71K — that’s +19%. After adjusting for local cost of living (RPP 110.17), the purchasing-power equivalent is $77K — still ahead of the national median.
How much do anthropologists and archeologists make in Hawaii?
The median is $84,530 a year, that works out to about $41 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $60,530, and experienced anthropologists and archeologists can clear $143,840. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $85K enough to live in Hawaii?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $5,151/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $2,240/month, which eats 43.5% 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 Hawaii?
Hawaii has a Regional Price Parity of 110.17 (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 $76,727 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.