What Can You Do With an Anthropology Degree?

With an anthropology degree, you can secure jobs in areas as diverse as research and development, management, and scientific and technical consulting services. You can work for universities, nonprofit organizations, private institutions, and federal government agencies. 

If you’re interested in becoming an anthropologist, this article will walk you through the different degrees you can obtain, the best jobs for anthropology majors, and top tips to help you build a career in this field. 

What Is an Anthropology Major?

An anthropology major is someone who trains to understand the behavior of humans in varying contexts. This allows them to address a wide range of global issues pertaining to society, culture, and civilization in general.

An anthropology major can focus on different branches, including medical, biological, forensic, physical, and linguistic anthropology, and contribute to fields such as education, tourism, and development studies.

How to Become an Anthropologist: Anthropology Education Options 

Career opportunities for anthropologists are available to those who have obtained a degree, whether that be at a community college or at a university. Anthropology is a research-based field and large sections of the job market for this line of work will demand extensive reading and study.

Anthropology Associate Degree 

An Associate Degree in Anthropology can be completed over two years of study. These programs will teach you about cultural anthropology, human evolution, historical societies, and various branches of behavioral science.

Best Associate Degree Programs in Anthropology

• Associate in Arts, Emphasis in Anthropology – Gateway Community College
• Associate in Arts in Anthropology – Foothill College
• Associate of Arts in Anthropology – Front Range Community College
• Anthropology Associate of Arts Degree for Transfer – Cyprus College 
• Anthropology Associate in Arts – Midland Technical College 

Anthropology Bachelor’s Degree

A Bachelor’s Degree in Anthropology is usually completed over four years. Examples of subjects that you cover during those four years include anthropology and healthcare, anthropology in specific geographic contexts, quantitative research methodology, contemporary human issues, the relevance of ritual, and socio-cultural solutions.

Best Bachelor’s Degree Programs in Anthropology 

• Bachelor in Sociology and Anthropology – University of Redlands
• Bachelor of Arts in Anthropology – Northeastern Illinois University 
• Bachelor of Forensic Anthropology – University of Tennessee 
• Bachelor of Arts in Sociology and Anthropology – Washington and Lee University
• Bachelor of Arts in Anthropology – University of South Florida 

Anthropology Master’s Degree 

A master’s degree program can usually be completed over two years if you are studying full-time. Invariably it is a program that will be completed in the school of humanities or social science. These students learn in-depth analytical skills to help them gain a broader perspective on the human condition. 

To enroll in a Master’s program you will need to meet a certain set of requirements, often including an academic grade threshold. Sometimes you will be accepted into a master’s program without meeting the academic grade requirement, provided you can provide some other motivation for your acceptance into the program.

Best Master’s Degree Programs in Anthropology

• Master of Arts in Anthropology – The New School 
• Master of Arts in Anthropology – University of Lethbridge 
• Master of Arts in Anthropology and Social Change  – California Institute of Integral Studies
• Master of Arts in Anthropology – North Dakota State University 
• Master of Science in Family and Community Services  – University of North Alabama

Anthropology Career Overview: Is an Anthropology Career Worth It?

Yes, an anthropology career is worthwhile. Due to its very nature, this field will continue to evolve as humanity evolves, and therefore there will always be employment opportunities. The earning potential for anthropologists is also good, although that will depend heavily on the institution that you work for.

Anthropology Job Outlook

According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the job outlook for anthropologists and archeologists currently sits at seven percent, which is the average job growth projected between 2020-2030 for most occupations. Keep in mind, job growth rate statistics will vary depending on the specific field you work in.

Anthropology Salaries

According to the same report by BLS, the average salary for anthropologists and archeologists is about $66,130 per year. However, your earning potential could increase dramatically depending on the job that you have and the company that you work for. It may also increase if you earn a more advanced degree.

Best Jobs for Anthropology Majors: What Can You Do With an Anthropology Degree?

While anthropology itself is a highly specialized field, there are actually multiple career paths available to people who want to make use of their anthropology studies. Anthropology students have been trained to understand human behavior, which is a skill that can be used in many settings.

 Many of the jobs listed below will require that you complete an anthropology program at a community college or university, before taking on some additional training to work as a management analyst or public relations specialist. In addition, the field also needs experts who are well versed in library science, public health, human rights, and even federal regulations.

Best Jobs for Anthropology Associate Degree Majors

Urban and Regional Planner

• Average Salary: $75,950
• Job Outlook: 7 Percent 

Urban and regional planners brainstorm programs and land use plans that might help revitalize communities. The skills most associated with urban and regional planning include project management, GIS, technical writing, strategic planning, research analysis, and knowledge of community outreach strategies.

Fundraiser 

• Average Salary: $59,610
• Job Outlook: 16 Percent

Fundraisers are experts at raising money for programs, causes, or businesses. The skills most associated with fundraisers are donor relations, event planning, customer relationship management, interpersonal skills, and major gifts fundraising. 

These skills are useful in almost any field but are particularly relevant for somebody working in a nonprofit organization, like a museum. In the field of anthropology, it is also quite important to raise funds for research and resource management.

Interpreter and Translator

• Average Salary: $52,330
• Job Outlook: 24 Percent 

The one skill that will take you a long way in this line of work is a strong command of a second language. This will give you the unique ability to create a cultural bridge, which is particularly useful when pursuing a field like cultural anthropology. You could also learn an ancient language, like Latin, which can help you better understand historic texts. 

Park Naturalist 

• Average Salary: $38.000
• Job Outlook: 7 Percent

You can become a park naturalist with a degree in anthropology. The best park naturalists have a solid grasp of wildlife, science, and history. Another important component of this line of work is education. Skills that will help enhance this career path for you include communication, public speaking, program development, childhood education, customer service, and animal care.

Community Health Worker

• Average Salary: $40,000
• Job Outlook: 17 Percent 

This is a strong option for an anthropology major because they are able to understand a community’s needs. The key skills most associated with community health workers are case management, community outreach, activism, counseling, and patient education. The primary role of a community health worker is to educate people on human health issues facing their communities.

Best Jobs for Anthropology Bachelor’s Degree Majors

Geoscientist

• Average Salary: $83,580
• Job Outlook: 7 Percent 

These experts study the physical aspects of our planet. The skills most associated with the work of a geoscientist include data analysis, technical writing, data management, GIS, and data collection or data capturing. Data captured by geoscientists can assist with anthropological understandings of different foreign cultures. 

Political Scientist 

• Average Salary: $125,350
• Job Outlook: 9 Percent 

Political scientists study political systems and perform tasks like providing advice regarding policy, drafting reports, and writing informed opinions for publication and consumption. These professionals need soft skills like strong communication abilities and must be experts in network management, network administration, policy development, legislative policy, and research analysis. 

Sociologist 

• Average Salary: $86,110
• Job Outlook: 5 Percent 

The skills most associated with a sociologist include data analysis, leadership, and strategic project management. These common skills are used to study human behavior, especially in response to global developments. Aspects that are taken into account during this course of study include race, gender, and established societal roles.

Historian

• Average Salary: $63,100
• Job Outlook: 5 Percent 

Historians research, evaluate, and document relevant events. That includes capturing and subsequently visualizing historical information from physical and electronic sources. The skills most associated with historians include research analysis, subject matter expertise, project management, online research, and writing skills. 

Anthropologist 

• Average Salary: $66,130
• Job Outlook: 7 Percent

The skills most associated with an anthropologist are research analysis, data analysis, and the ability to present new ideas and information. They conduct studies on humankind’s origins, along with its evolution over time. An anthropologist delves into subjects like race, wealth distribution, physical development, cultural development, and the social development of human beings.

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Best Jobs for Anthropology Master’s Degree Majors

Filmmaker 

• Average Salary: $76,400 
• Job Outlook: 24 Percent

The primary objective of filmmaking, in the anthropologist context, is to create educational resources for the general public. It is also a lucrative career path for subject experts. The skills associated with this line of work are production management, project management, budgeting, and video editing. 

Anthropology Professor

• Average Salary: $89,000 
• Job Outlook: 12 Percent*

College professors don’t just teach. They are often responsible for a variety of tasks such as strategic planning, grant writing, statistical analysis, clinical research, administration, or research analysis on top of their work educating students. 

Archeologist 

• Average Salary: $58,958 
• Job Outlook: 7 Percent** 

An archeologist is expected to be competent with research analysis, technical analysis, geographic information systems, history, project management, and technical writing. Contrary to popular belief, a lot of this work is actually done in offices and labs. The work done in the field is more limited than one might imagine.

Lecturer

• Average Salary: $50,854 
• Job Outlook: 12 Percent

Lecturers are people who speak to students at a post-secondary or higher education level. They prepare speeches on subjects like linguistic anthropology, cultural anthropology, physical anthropology, biological anthropology, and medical anthropology. The skills most associated with this line of work are curriculum planning, public speaking, and communication skills.

Ambassador/Activist 

• Average Salary: $32,638 
• Job Outlook: 15 Percent

Your primary function in this role would be to use your expertise to advance the causes of international organizations or agencies like UNESCO. To be effective in this role you need to be efficient in event management, branding, customer relationship management, marketing communications, public speaking, and product marketing.

*Job outlook data from BLS report on postsecondary teachers.

**Job outlook data from BLS report on anthropologists and archeologists. 

Three Final Tips to Get a Job in Anthropology

1. Research possible career paths and choose according to your interests. Anthropology provides you with base skills that will help you thrive in a wide variety of fields. Make sure to research all the different options to find one that matches your skills, areas of interest, and long-term career goals.
2. Sign up for tertiary education. In most cases, the basic requirement for someone wishing to work as an anthropologist will be a four-year bachelor’s degree. In some instances, you will need to acquire a master’s degree as well. This is a research-based field and you need to prepare yourself for long years of study. 
3. Work on acquiring additional skills. As is the case in most fields these days, continuing your education outside of your bachelor’s or master’s degree can help expand your career opportunities. Make sure to always stay up to date on the latest trends in your field so you can remain relevant.

Anthropology majors learn how to view people and cultures in a complex way. Their strong understanding of human nature, extensive research skills, and analysis skills can help them find multiple career options and earn high annual salaries. Many anthropologists are able to use their knowledge and expertise to improve communities and work in careers that make the world a better place.