Salary is one factor that leads to overall satisfaction in a career.
After graduation, archaeology graduates typically earn high salaries compared to the national average. Top earners make $83,568, while the bottom 20% make closer to $24,285. The median grad salary is $45,050.
Archaeology graduate salaries over time
The typical early career salary for someone with a bachelor’s degree in archaeology is $34,775, and within five years of graduation, this average salary goes up to $39,326.
This chart maps the average workforce wage by years of experience:
Wage ($USD)
Wage Range Median Wage
Years of work experience
Highest paying jobs for archaeology graduates
The highest paying career for archaeology graduates is archaeologist, with top salaries averaging around $66,810.
Highest Paying Careers
Avg Pay (USD)
As per most recent US census
Pro tip
Still unsure if a degree in archaeology is your calling? Read our comprehensive guide on choosing a career
