Is there much call for Archaeologists in the US?

Question

I have almost finished my Archaeology BSc and would like to live in the US for a few years. Does anyone know if there is much call for archaeologists in the states and what the wages are like?

Thanks :)

Answer 1

yes very much so in arizona, you would be working with ancient burial sites. the wages run from $55,000 to a respectable $90,000 a year

Answer 2

Ask your Professors, call your local county historian they may know of a CRM (Cultural Resource Management) company they you may find work with. Or a Museum maybe. They can make from $12.00 to $25.00 an hour or more depending on the job. It's a labor of love, not money

Answer 3

With a BSc, you would be qualified for a field technician position.  With all due respect to my fellow answerer, a beginning field tech makes, if they are lucky and able to find work for more than six months out of a year, between $10,000 and $15,000.  And again, this is if you are lucky.

I suggest you look up http://www.shovelbums.org/

and take a look at what the real opportunities are.  

Currently, it is a very competitive employer's market. Most firms won't even consider hiring people without MA degrees and at least a few years of full-time experience.

Answer 4

I am currently working the the US as a field technician, and I agree with Earwax of Satan in that you have to check out http://www.shovelbums.org and take a look at the job postings.  Although it's a bit more than just $10-$15,000 a year.  If you can bounce around enough, and are not tied down, you could get upwards of $20,000 a year.  For last year's taxes I earned just over $22k in wages alone.  When you add Per diem, at lets say $30 dollars per work day (totaling roughly another $7500 per year) you can earn a fair wage - nothing that grand, but it's enough to get by.  From what I have been hearing, this season is going to be very busy - there are a couple of big projects in the midwest, and with all of the expected drought, fires and flooding, there will probably be quite a bit of work in the near future.  I would say if you are looking to come over here for a bit just to play in the dirt and get some experience, it wouldn't be a bad idea... most companies pay for your hotel room, and if you aren't looking to live here for a long time, you won't have to worry about something like rent for an apt you will never see.