Anthropologists and Archeologists Salary
The median pay for a anthropologists and archeologists in Virginia is $80,230/year ($38.57/hour), per BLS data. The range runs from $47K at the entry level to $108K for experienced workers. Cost of living is below average (RPP 94.79), which stretches that salary to about $84,640 in buying power. A 2-bedroom apartment runs $1,646/month, about 32.5% of take-home, which is tight.
Statewide average. Salary and cost of living vary significantly across Virginia. Jump to a metro for precise data:
So what does $80K get you in Virginia?
About anthropologists and archeologists
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What this looks like in Virginia
Virginia sits well above the national pay line for anthropologists and archeologists, local pay runs about 13% higher than the U.S. median of $71K. Rent runs $1,646/month for a 2-bedroom (HUD FMR), taking 32.5% of the median take-home. That's within the 30% rule, though not by much. Regional Price Parity sits at 94.79 (national = 100), meaning everyday costs run about 5% 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, Virginia
Entry-level anthropologists and archeologists (10th percentile) start around $47K. Mid-career wages sit at $80K. Top earners bring in $108K or more, a $60K spread from bottom to top.
Anthropologists and Archeologists salary by metro in Virginia
2 metro areas with BLS data, ranked by median pay
| Metro area | Median salary | vs. state | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Richmond | $80K | +0% | N/A |
| Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk | $51K | -37% | 50 |
Compare to other states
Track anthropologists and archeologists salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Virginia numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
Can a anthropologists and archeologist afford a 2BR apartment alone in Virginia?
It’s a stretch — at the median salary of $80K, rent takes 32.5% of take-home pay. A 2-bedroom at the HUD Fair Market Rent runs $1,646/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 Virginia?
The 10th-percentile wage — what new anthropologists and archeologists typically earn — is $47K/year. Take-home on that works out to about $2,845/month. At HUD’s $1,646/month FMR, rent would take 58% 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 Virginia?
Local pay is 13% above the national median — $80K here vs. $71K nationally.
How does Virginia compare to the national average for anthropologists and archeologists?
Virginia pays $80K median vs. the U.S. average of $71K — that’s +13%. After adjusting for local cost of living (RPP 94.79), the purchasing-power equivalent is $85K — still ahead of the national median.
How much do anthropologists and archeologists make in Virginia?
The median is $80,230 a year, that works out to about $39 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $47,420, and experienced anthropologists and archeologists can clear $107,620. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $80K enough to live in Virginia?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $5,061/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,646/month, which eats 32.5% 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 Virginia?
Virginia has a Regional Price Parity of 94.79 (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 $84,640 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.