Anthropologists and Archeologists Salary
The median pay for a anthropologists and archeologists in Tennessee is $60,310/year ($28.99/hour), per BLS data. The range runs from $43K at the entry level to $93K for experienced workers. Cost of living is below average (RPP 89.78), which stretches that salary to about $67,175 in buying power. Rent on a 2-bedroom averages $1,215/month, or 29% of estimated take-home pay.
Statewide average. Salary and cost of living vary significantly across Tennessee. Jump to a metro for precise data:
Where the paycheck goes
What $60K actually covers in Tennessee, month by month
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What this looks like in Tennessee
Pay for anthropologists and archeologists in Tennessee runs about 15% below the U.S. median of $71K. Rent runs $1,215/month for a 2-bedroom (HUD FMR), taking 28.9% of the median take-home. That's within the 30% rule, though not by much. Regional Price Parity sits at 89.78 (national = 100), meaning everyday costs run about 10% 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, Tennessee
Entry-level anthropologists and archeologists (10th percentile) start around $43K. Mid-career wages sit at $60K. Top earners bring in $93K or more, a $50K spread from bottom to top.
Anthropologists and Archeologists salary by metro in Tennessee
2 metro areas with BLS data, ranked by median pay
| Metro area | Median salary | vs. state | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Knoxville | $61K | +1% | 60 |
| Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin | $61K | +1% | 40 |
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BLS updates this data annually. We'll email you when Tennessee numbers change.
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Quick answers
The stuff people actually ask about this job
Can a anthropologists and archeologist afford a 2BR apartment alone in Tennessee?
Yes — at the median salary of $60K, rent takes 28.9% of take-home pay. A 2-bedroom at the HUD Fair Market Rent runs $1,215/month. That stays under the 30% guideline most financial planners use.
What’s the entry-level salary for anthropologists and archeologists in Tennessee?
The 10th-percentile wage — what new anthropologists and archeologists typically earn — is $43K/year. Take-home on that works out to about $3,079/month. At HUD’s $1,215/month FMR, rent would take 39% 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 Tennessee?
Local pay runs 15% below the national median — $60K here vs. $71K nationally. Cost of living is 10% below the national average, which narrows that gap in real purchasing power.
How does Tennessee compare to the national average for anthropologists and archeologists?
Tennessee pays $60K median vs. the U.S. average of $71K — that’s -15%. After adjusting for local cost of living (RPP 89.78), the purchasing-power equivalent is $67K — below the national median.
How much do anthropologists and archeologists make in Tennessee?
The median is $60,310 a year, that works out to about $29 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $43,450, and experienced anthropologists and archeologists can clear $93,370. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $60K enough to live in Tennessee?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $4,208/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,215/month, which eats 28.9% 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 Tennessee?
Tennessee has a Regional Price Parity of 89.78 (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 $67,175 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.