Anthropologists and Archeologists Salary
The median pay for a anthropologists and archeologists in Michigan is $64,700/year ($31.11/hour), per BLS data. The range runs from $60K at the entry level to $97K for experienced workers. Cost of living is below average (RPP 93.89), which stretches that salary to about $68,910 in buying power. Rent on a 2-bedroom averages $1,272/month, or 29.9% of estimated take-home pay.
Statewide average. Salary and cost of living vary significantly across Michigan. Jump to a metro for precise data:
So what does $65K get you in Michigan?
About anthropologists and archeologists
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What this looks like in Michigan
Anthropologists and archeologists pay in Michigan tracks closely to the national median, $65K locally vs. $71K nationwide, a 9% difference. Rent runs $1,272/month for a 2-bedroom (HUD FMR), taking 29.8% of the median take-home. That's within the 30% rule, though not by much. Regional Price Parity sits at 93.89 (national = 100), meaning everyday costs run about 6% cheaper here. Your dollar stretches further than the headline salary suggests. Pay and costs are both near average, leaving limited margin for savings at the median wage.
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Michigan
Entry-level anthropologists and archeologists (10th percentile) start around $60K. Mid-career wages sit at $65K. Top earners bring in $97K or more, a $37K spread from bottom to top.
Anthropologists and Archeologists salary by metro in Michigan
2 metro areas with BLS data, ranked by median pay
| Metro area | Median salary | vs. state | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Detroit-Warren-Dearborn | $65K | +0% | N/A |
| Lansing-East Lansing | $63K | -3% | 50 |
Compare to other states
Track anthropologists and archeologists salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Michigan numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
Can a anthropologists and archeologist afford a 2BR apartment alone in Michigan?
Yes — at the median salary of $65K, rent takes 29.8% of take-home pay. A 2-bedroom at the HUD Fair Market Rent runs $1,272/month. That stays under the 30% guideline most financial planners use.
What’s the entry-level salary for anthropologists and archeologists in Michigan?
The 10th-percentile wage — what new anthropologists and archeologists typically earn — is $60K/year. Take-home on that works out to about $3,616/month. At HUD’s $1,272/month FMR, rent would take 35% 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 Michigan?
Pay here is roughly in line with the national average — $65K locally vs. $71K nationally, a 9% difference.
How does Michigan compare to the national average for anthropologists and archeologists?
Michigan pays $65K median vs. the U.S. average of $71K — that’s -9%. After adjusting for local cost of living (RPP 93.89), the purchasing-power equivalent is $69K — below the national median.
How much do anthropologists and archeologists make in Michigan?
The median is $64,700 a year, that works out to about $31 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $60,270, and experienced anthropologists and archeologists can clear $97,470. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $65K enough to live in Michigan?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $4,263/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,272/month, which eats 29.8% 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 Michigan?
Michigan has a Regional Price Parity of 93.89 (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 $68,910 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.