Anthropologists and Archeologists Salary
The median pay for a anthropologists and archeologists in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV is $87,400/year ($42.02/hour), per BLS data. The range runs from $49K at the entry level to $137K for experienced workers. Prices run high here (RPP 108.88), so that salary is closer to $80,272 in real purchasing power. A 2-bedroom apartment runs $2,246/month, about 40.9% of take-home, which is tight.
Where the paycheck goes
What $87K actually covers in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, month by month
Groceries, utilities, transportation, and healthcare scaled from national averages by Washington-Arlington-Alexandria’s Regional Price Parity (108.88). Rent from HUD Fair Market Rents. Taxes estimated for single filer, standard deduction. * Healthcare is the employee-paid share only (premiums + out-of-pocket). Actual costs vary by coverage type: employer-sponsored, ACA marketplace, or uninsured.
About anthropologists and archeologists
Sponsored links, AffordMap may earn a commission at no cost to you. Learn more
What this looks like in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria
Washington-Arlington-Alexandria sits well above the national pay line for anthropologists and archeologists, local pay runs about 23% higher than the U.S. median of $71K. The catch: housing math doesn't keep up. A 2-bedroom at the HUD median rents for $2,246/month, which is 41.3% of the median worker's take-home, past the 30% guideline most planners use. Cost-of-living overall is 9% above the national average (BEA RPP 108.88), so groceries and services cost more too. The pay premium is real, but so are the offsets.
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV
Entry-level anthropologists and archeologists (10th percentile) start around $49K. Mid-career wages sit at $87K. Top earners bring in $137K or more, a $88K spread from bottom to top.
Anthropologists and Archeologists pay across states
Median income ranked highest to lowest, compared to the national figure
View Anthropologists and Archeologists salary in all states
| State | Median salary | vs. national | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Massachusetts | $121K | +71% | 80 |
| Nebraska | $95K | +34% | 40 |
| Connecticut | $91K | +29% | N/A |
| Alaska | $90K | +27% | 130 |
| Idaho | $89K | +25% | 170 |
| Oregon | $85K | +20% | 240 |
| Hawaii | $85K | +19% | 210 |
| Virginia | $80K | +13% | 320 |
| Pennsylvania | $80K | +13% | 130 |
| Montana | $79K | +12% | 80 |
| Wyoming | $76K | +8% | 80 |
| Alabama | $76K | +7% | 170 |
| Washington | $75K | +6% | 260 |
| Utah | $74K | +4% | 120 |
| North Carolina | $73K | +3% | 200 |
| California | $72K | +2% | 2,060 |
| Kentucky | $72K | +2% | 70 |
| Oklahoma | $72K | +1% | 90 |
| Colorado | $69K | -3% | 250 |
| New Mexico | $68K | -4% | 230 |
| Texas | $68K | -4% | 430 |
| Iowa | $67K | -5% | 40 |
| New York | $67K | -5% | 120 |
| Missouri | $67K | -5% | 80 |
| New Jersey | $66K | -6% | 140 |
| Minnesota | $66K | -7% | 140 |
| Arizona | $65K | -8% | 500 |
| Michigan | $65K | -9% | N/A |
| Nevada | $64K | -9% | 230 |
| North Dakota | $64K | -10% | N/A |
| Indiana | $64K | -10% | 70 |
| South Dakota | $63K | -11% | 40 |
| Wisconsin | $63K | -11% | 40 |
| South Carolina | $63K | -11% | 50 |
| Arkansas | $62K | -12% | 60 |
| New Hampshire | $61K | -14% | 40 |
| Tennessee | $60K | -15% | 160 |
| Illinois | $60K | -16% | 140 |
| Florida | $59K | -16% | 620 |
| Ohio | $59K | -16% | 70 |
| Georgia | $59K | -17% | 150 |
| West Virginia | $54K | -23% | 50 |
| Maryland | $54K | -23% | 220 |
| Louisiana | $48K | -33% | 110 |
| Kansas | $42K | -41% | 60 |
Showing 1–10 of 45 states with published data
BLS does not publish data for every state when sample sizes are too small
Track anthropologists and archeologists salary changes
BLS updates this data annually. We'll email you when Washington-Arlington-Alexandria numbers change.
Related careers in Science
Quick answers
The stuff people actually ask about this job
Can a anthropologists and archeologist afford a 2BR apartment alone in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria?
It’s a stretch — at the median salary of $87K, rent takes 41.3% of take-home pay. A 2-bedroom at the HUD Fair Market Rent runs $2,246/month. The 30% guideline puts the comfortable ceiling at roughly $1,600/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-Arlington-Alexandria?
The 10th-percentile wage — what new anthropologists and archeologists typically earn — is $49K/year. Take-home on that works out to about $3,273/month. At HUD’s $2,246/month FMR, rent would take 69% 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-Arlington-Alexandria?
Local pay is 23% above the national median — $87K here vs. $71K nationally. Keep in mind cost of living here is 9% above the national average, which offsets some of that premium.
How does Washington-Arlington-Alexandria compare to the national average for anthropologists and archeologists?
Washington-Arlington-Alexandria pays $87K median vs. the U.S. average of $71K — that’s +23%. After adjusting for local cost of living (RPP 108.88), the purchasing-power equivalent is $80K — still ahead of the national median.
How much do anthropologists and archeologists make in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV?
The median is $87,400 a year, that works out to about $42 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $48,640, and experienced anthropologists and archeologists can clear $136,660. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $87K enough to live in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $5,440/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $2,246/month, which eats 41.3% 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-Arlington-Alexandria?
Washington-Arlington-Alexandria has a Regional Price Parity of 108.88 (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 $80,272 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.