Anthropologists and Archeologists Salary
The median pay for a anthropologists and archeologists in Iowa is $67,270/year ($32.34/hour), per BLS data. The range runs from $48K at the entry level to $94K for experienced workers. Cost of living is below average (RPP 88.86), which stretches that salary to about $75,703 in buying power. Rent on a 2-bedroom averages $1,064/month, or 24.1% of estimated take-home pay.
Statewide average. This is an aggregate across all of Iowa. BLS does not publish metro-level data for this occupation in this state.
So what does $67K get you in Iowa?
About anthropologists and archeologists
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What this looks like in Iowa
Anthropologists and archeologists pay in Iowa tracks closely to the national median, $67K locally vs. $71K nationwide, a 5% difference. Housing is manageable: a 2-bedroom at the HUD median costs $1,064/month, 24.4% of take-home, well inside the 30% guideline. Regional Price Parity sits at 88.86 (national = 100), meaning everyday costs run about 11% cheaper here. Your dollar stretches further than the headline salary suggests. Use the affordability calculator above to model your specific situation.
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Iowa
Entry-level anthropologists and archeologists (10th percentile) start around $48K. Mid-career wages sit at $67K. Top earners bring in $94K or more, a $47K spread from bottom to top.
Compare to other states
Track anthropologists and archeologists salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Iowa numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
Can a anthropologists and archeologist afford a 2BR apartment alone in Iowa?
Yes — at the median salary of $67K, rent takes 24.4% of take-home pay. A 2-bedroom at the HUD Fair Market Rent runs $1,064/month. That stays under the 30% guideline most financial planners use.
What’s the entry-level salary for anthropologists and archeologists in Iowa?
The 10th-percentile wage — what new anthropologists and archeologists typically earn — is $48K/year. Take-home on that works out to about $2,866/month. At HUD’s $1,064/month FMR, rent would take 37% 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 Iowa?
Pay here is roughly in line with the national average — $67K locally vs. $71K nationally, a 5% difference.
How does Iowa compare to the national average for anthropologists and archeologists?
Iowa pays $67K median vs. the U.S. average of $71K — that’s -5%. After adjusting for local cost of living (RPP 88.86), the purchasing-power equivalent is $76K — still ahead of the national median.
How much do anthropologists and archeologists make in Iowa?
The median is $67,270 a year, that works out to about $32 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $47,770, and experienced anthropologists and archeologists can clear $94,290. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $67K enough to live in Iowa?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $4,359/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,064/month, which eats 24.4% of your paycheck. That's under the 30% guideline most financial planners use, so the numbers work.
How far does a anthropologists and archeologists salary go in Iowa?
Iowa has a Regional Price Parity of 88.86 (100 is the national average). That's below average, your money stretches further here than the raw salary number suggests. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median anthropologists and archeologists salary is worth about $75,703 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.