Anthropologists and Archeologists Salary
The median pay for a anthropologists and archeologists in Washington is $74,790/year ($35.96/hour), per BLS data. The range runs from $55K at the entry level to $116K for experienced workers. Adjusted for local prices (RPP 102.01), that's roughly $73,316 in purchasing power. A 2-bedroom apartment runs $1,830/month, about 35.2% of take-home, which is tight.
Statewide average. Salary and cost of living vary significantly across Washington. Jump to a metro for precise data:
So what does $75K get you in Washington?
About anthropologists and archeologists
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What this looks like in Washington
Anthropologists and archeologists pay in Washington tracks closely to the national median, $75K locally vs. $71K nationwide, a 6% difference. The catch: housing math doesn't keep up. A 2-bedroom at the HUD median rents for $1,830/month, which is 36% of the median worker's take-home, past the 30% guideline most planners use. Cost of living (RPP 102.01) is near the national average, so spending patterns here track the typical American budget fairly closely. Use the affordability calculator above to model your specific situation.
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Washington
Entry-level anthropologists and archeologists (10th percentile) start around $55K. Mid-career wages sit at $75K. Top earners bring in $116K or more, a $62K spread from bottom to top.
Anthropologists and Archeologists salary by metro in Washington
1 metro area with BLS data, ranked by median pay
| Metro area | Median salary | vs. state | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue | $75K | -0% | 120 |
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Track anthropologists and archeologists salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Washington numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
Can a anthropologists and archeologist afford a 2BR apartment alone in Washington?
It’s a stretch — at the median salary of $75K, rent takes 36% of take-home pay. A 2-bedroom at the HUD Fair Market Rent runs $1,830/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 Washington?
The 10th-percentile wage — what new anthropologists and archeologists typically earn — is $55K/year. Take-home on that works out to about $3,274/month. At HUD’s $1,830/month FMR, rent would take 56% 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 Washington?
Pay here is roughly in line with the national average — $75K locally vs. $71K nationally, a 6% difference.
How does Washington compare to the national average for anthropologists and archeologists?
Washington pays $75K median vs. the U.S. average of $71K — that’s +6%. After adjusting for local cost of living (RPP 102.01), the purchasing-power equivalent is $73K — still ahead of the national median.
How much do anthropologists and archeologists make in Washington?
The median is $74,790 a year, that works out to about $36 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $54,560, and experienced anthropologists and archeologists can clear $116,210. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $75K enough to live in Washington?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $5,083/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,830/month, which eats 36% 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 Washington?
Washington has a Regional Price Parity of 102.01 (100 is the national average). Prices are above average here, so your dollar buys less than the same salary would in a cheaper metro. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median anthropologists and archeologists salary is worth about $73,316 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.