Anthropologists and Archeologists salary in California
Anthropologists and Archeologists in California earn a median of $72,240 a year ($34.73 an hour), based on BLS data for 2,060 workers.
Pay ranges from $55,140 for the lowest-paid 10% to $104,770 for the top 10%. That is 2% higher than the national median of $70,770. California ranks 16th of 45 states for anthropologists and archeologists pay. There are 0.11 anthropologists and archeologists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 2.0× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $77,230, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for anthropologists and archeologists in California
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $55,140 | $26.51 |
| 25th percentile | $62,620 | $30.11 |
| Median | $72,240 | $34.73 |
| 75th percentile | $87,940 | $42.28 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $104,770 | $50.37 |
| Average (mean) | $77,230 | $37.13 |
Half of anthropologists and archeologists earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $6,020 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,010 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,778.46 |
| Weekly | $1,389.23 |
| Hourly | $34.73 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Anthropologists and Archeologists salary in cities in California
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $79,530 | 200 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $76,010 | 90 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | $75,480 | 350 |
| Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA | $74,490 | 40 |
| Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA | $66,620 | 60 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | $66,160 | 230 |
| Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA | $66,040 | 40 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $65,240 | 540 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | $63,630 | 110 |
Highest-paying states for anthropologists and archeologists
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Massachusetts | $121,300 |
| Nebraska | $94,520 |
| Connecticut | $91,420 |
| Alaska | $89,810 |
| Idaho | $88,710 |
| Oregon | $84,970 |
| Hawaii | $84,530 |
| Virginia | $80,230 |
| Pennsylvania | $79,660 |
| Montana | $79,420 |
Related jobs in California
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Clinical and Counseling Psychologists | $116,000 | $55.77 |
| School Psychologist | $127,780 | $61.43 |
| Urban and Regional Planners | $109,610 | $52.70 |
| Social Scientists and Related Workers, All Other | $97,900 | $47.07 |
| Psychologists, All Other | $157,540 | $75.74 |
| Survey Researcher | $83,520 | $40.16 |
| Economist | $119,410 | $57.41 |
| Sociologist | $125,770 | $60.47 |
| Historian | $97,420 | $46.84 |
| Geographer | $114,460 | $55.03 |
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | $136,990 | $65.86 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $102,840 | $49.44 |
| Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health | $106,510 | $51.21 |
| Biological Scientists, All Other | $113,530 | $54.58 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in California
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 19-3091. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a anthropologists and archeologists make in California?
The median salary for anthropologists and archeologists in California is $72,240 a year, or $34.73 an hour. Pay ranges from $55,140 for the lowest-paid 10% to $104,770 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid anthropologists and archeologists make in California?
The top 10% of anthropologists and archeologists in California earn at least $104,770 a year. The top 25% earn $87,940 or more.
What is the starting pay for anthropologists and archeologists in California?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $55,140 a year, and a quarter of anthropologists and archeologists earn $62,620 or less.
How many anthropologists and archeologists work in California?
About 2,060 anthropologists and archeologists are employed in California, not counting the self-employed.