Undergraduate
What is Anthropology?
Anthropology is the study of people, both ancient and modern, in their cultural, biological, and environmental contexts.
The diversity of anthropology is the source of both its uniqueness and its greatest strength as a discipline. As the only field to address all aspects of the human experience—cultural, biological, historical—anthropology provides both a broad vision of what it is to be human as well as creative synergies unavailable to other disciplines within the human sciences and humanities.
Why Study Anthropology?
Study anthropology if…
- You want to understand what it means to be human through time, from our earliest ancestors, and across the many cultures of the world.
- You want a different view of the world.
- You want to hear the voices of other peoples who share this world with us, but whose lives are often far different from our own.
- You want a global perspective.
Anthropologists get to ask and answer the big questions about humanity. Who are we? Where do we come from? Where are we going? If these questions – and many other questions about humanity interest you, study anthropology!
Careers in Anthropology
According to Forbes Advisor - Anthropology is applicable across various industries and professions. The below salary data comes from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).
Anthropologist
Median Annual Salary: $63,940
Minimum Required Education: Bachelor’s degree; master’s degree recommended for more advanced positions
Job Overview: Anthropologists work for governmental organizations, research firms or academic institutions. They study the development and history of humanity to add deeper context and understanding to current societal issues. Anthropologists plan and execute cultural research, examine data and laboratory samples, collect data from surveys, and advise organizations about the humanistic implications of their policies and programs.
Anthropology Professor
Median Annual Salary: $85,000
Minimum Required Education: Master’s degree
Job Overview: Anthropology professors teach at the college or university level. They create lesson plans and exam material, grade student work and provide their students with academic and career guidance. Many professors also conduct research and contribute to academic papers, or publish their findings in books and articles.
Survey Researcher
Median Annual Salary: $60,410
Minimum Required Education: Master’s degree
Job Overview: Survey researchers collect and analyze survey data for various research purposes. They plan and develop survey methods, interpret their results and chart their findings using tables, fact sheets and graphs. Survey researchers often work for governmental agencies, health organizations or research firms. Their surveys can encompass a wide variety of topics, such as health, public opinion and education.
Writer
Median Annual Salary: $73,150
Minimum Required Education: Bachelor’s degree
Job Overview: Writers research and develop stories for newspapers, magazines, books and other mediums, often focusing on a particular subject. Writers collaborate with editors to ensure their copy is clean and well-written. They may conduct interviews or gather data from public records to shape a detailed narrative.
Archivist or Museum Technician
Median Annual Salary: $58,640 for archivists, $47,270 for museum technicians
Minimum Required Education: Bachelor’s degree for museum workers; master’s degree for archivists
Job Overview: Archivists are responsible for historical artifacts and documents. They preserve and catalog these items, typically in a museum, historical site or similar institution. Museum technicians care for and display artifacts of past civilizations, including coins, tools, clothing and pottery.
Forensic Science Technician
Median Annual Salary: $63,740
Minimum Required Education: Bachelor’s degree
Job Overview: Forensic science technicians photograph evidence and collect specimens—such as fingerprints or bodily fluids—from a crime scene for laboratory analysis. It’s their job to investigate clues left behind and provide a deeper understanding of the events that occurred. They usually collaborate with law enforcement officials and consult with other experts in specialized fields, such as toxicologists.
Human Resources Specialist
Median Annual Salary: $64,240
Minimum Required Education: Bachelor’s degree
Job Overview:HR specialists manage talent acquisition and retention for employers. They screen and interview job candidates, guide employees through orientation processes, and sometimes administer benefits and payroll.
Archaeological Field Technician
Median Annual Salary: $52,000
Minimum Required Education: Bachelor’s degree
Job Overview: Archaeological field technicians conduct archaeological fieldwork, including survey and excavation, for cultural resource management companies. These companies help developers and government agencies comply with state and federal laws relating to archaeological sites that are threatened by development. This is an entry-level position, and in larger companies there is an established career path that leads to more responsibility and income over time. A bachelor’s degree in Anthropology and field school experience are the normal prerequisites for employment.
Archaeological Crew Chief
Median Annual Salary: 69,888
Minimum Required Education: Bachelor’s degree
Job Overview: Archaeological crew chiefs supervise field technicians with archaeological fieldwork, including survey and excavation, for cultural resource management companies. These companies help developers and government agencies comply with state and federal laws relating to archaeological sites that are threatened by development. A bachelor’s degree in Anthropology and a few years of experience as a field technician are the normal prerequisites. In larger companies, there is an established career path that leads from here to more responsibility and income over time, especially when combined with a graduate degree.
References
Cecilia Seiter. “What Can You Do with an Anthropology Degree?” Forbes, Forbes Advisor, August 29, 2023, https://www.forbes.com/advisor/education/science/what-can-you-do-with-anthropology-degree/. Accessed 17 Sept. 2024
Twin Cairns Inc. "Archaeology." Twin Cairns Inc., https://www.twincairns.com. Accessed 22 Jan. 2025.
Prospective Students
You can apply as an undergraduate through CU Admissions