Anthropologists and Archeologists Salary
The median pay for a anthropologists and archeologists in Montana is $79,420/year ($38.18/hour), per BLS data. The range runs from $61K at the entry level to $110K for experienced workers. Adjusted for local prices (RPP 97), that's roughly $81,876 in purchasing power. Rent on a 2-bedroom averages $1,129/month, or 21.6% of estimated take-home pay.
Statewide average. This is an aggregate across all of Montana. BLS does not publish metro-level data for this occupation in this state.
So what does $79K get you in Montana?
About anthropologists and archeologists
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What this looks like in Montana
Montana sits well above the national pay line for anthropologists and archeologists, local pay runs about 12% higher than the U.S. median of $71K. Housing is manageable: a 2-bedroom at the HUD median costs $1,129/month, 22.3% of take-home, well inside the 30% guideline. Cost of living (RPP 97) is near the national average, so spending patterns here track the typical American budget fairly closely. Combined with manageable housing costs, Montana offers a genuinely strong financial position for anthropologists and archeologistss at the median.
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Montana
Entry-level anthropologists and archeologists (10th percentile) start around $61K. Mid-career wages sit at $79K. Top earners bring in $110K or more, a $49K 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 Montana numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
Can a anthropologists and archeologist afford a 2BR apartment alone in Montana?
Yes — at the median salary of $79K, rent takes 22.3% of take-home pay. A 2-bedroom at the HUD Fair Market Rent runs $1,129/month. That stays under the 30% guideline most financial planners use.
What’s the entry-level salary for anthropologists and archeologists in Montana?
The 10th-percentile wage — what new anthropologists and archeologists typically earn — is $61K/year. Take-home on that works out to about $3,654/month. At HUD’s $1,129/month FMR, rent would take 31% 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 Montana?
Local pay is 12% above the national median — $79K here vs. $71K nationally.
How does Montana compare to the national average for anthropologists and archeologists?
Montana pays $79K median vs. the U.S. average of $71K — that’s +12%. After adjusting for local cost of living (RPP 97), the purchasing-power equivalent is $82K — still ahead of the national median.
How much do anthropologists and archeologists make in Montana?
The median is $79,420 a year, that works out to about $38 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $60,900, and experienced anthropologists and archeologists can clear $110,190. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $79K enough to live in Montana?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $5,057/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,129/month, which eats 22.3% 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 Montana?
Montana has a Regional Price Parity of 97 (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 $81,876 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.