Anthropologist and Archeologist Salary Overview in Seattle, WA
Careerclev's modeled 2026 benchmark places Anthropologist and Archeologist pay in Seattle, WA at about $82,833.0 per year. On the latest official BLS baseline for this market, the lower local range starts near $60,820.0, while the strongest-paid professionals can reach about $104,090.
Salary estimates are based on data from the Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA metropolitan area, which includes nearby cities such as Tacoma, and Bellevue.
If you’re comparing Anthropologist and Archeologist salaries in Seattle, WA, the real story isn’t just the headline number. Local employer mix, seniority, specialization, and whether the role is remote, hybrid, or onsite can push compensation well above or below the local median.
Seattle, WA vs. U.S. National Average
Seattle, WA pays +28% vs u.s. for Anthropologist and Archeologist roles. The difference is driven by local employer demand, industry mix, cost pressures, and how concentrated this role is in the underlying metro labor market.
| Market | Projected Salary | vs Seattle, WA | Market Maturity |
|---|---|---|---|
| Seattle, WA (this guide) | $82,833.0 | Baseline | Local market |
| United States | $64,910.0 | -22% vs U.S. | National baseline |
Anthropologist and Archeologist Salary by Experience Level in Seattle, WA
Experience changes the local salary picture quickly because employers usually pay for independence, specialization, and broader scope, not just years on paper. In Seattle, WA, this breakdown shows how aAnthropologist and Archeologist can move from early-career pay into stronger bands as the role becomes more self-directed.
| Level | Experience | Projected Salary | Projected Range | Market Signal |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Entry-Level Anthropologist and Archeologist | 0-2 years | $66,873.0 | $64,713.0 - $82,833.0 | +3% vs U.S. |
| Mid-Level Anthropologist and Archeologist | 3-5 years | $82,833.0 | $66,873.0 - $97,516.0 | +28% vs U.S. |
| Senior Anthropologist and Archeologist | 6-10 years | $97,516.0 | $82,833.0 - $110,753 | +50% vs U.S. |
| Lead / Principal Anthropologist and Archeologist | 10+ years | $110,753 | $97,516.0 - $135,118 | +71% vs U.S. |
Anthropologist and Archeologist Salary by Industry in Seattle, WA
Industry premiums in Seattle, WA usually come from employers that place the Anthropologist and Archeologist role close to revenue, infrastructure, compliance, product delivery, or other high-value work. National industry data gives the best available benchmark until local industry slices are available.
| Industry | Modeled Salary | Reference Range | Signal |
|---|---|---|---|
| Government Excluding Schools, Hospitals, and Postal Service | $84,880.0 | $58,430.0 - $120,470 | Stronger salary |
| Government, Schools, Hospitals, and Postal Service | $82,220.0 | $50,640.0 - $119,020 | Stronger salary |
| Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services | $60,630.0 | $43,360.0 - $92,490.0 | Stronger salary |
| Educational Services | $58,500.0 | $38,750.0 - $91,640.0 | Competitive |
| Arts, Entertainment, and Recreation | $48,370.0 | $40,010.0 - $78,530.0 | Competitive |
Entry-Level Anthropologist and Archeologist Salary in Seattle, WA
Entry-level Anthropologist and Archeologist jobs in Seattle, WA are modeled around the lower local wage percentiles. Candidates who can show practical projects, job-ready tools, and strong fundamentals usually have a better path into the middle of the local salary range.
For a broader starting-pay benchmark beyond this city market, see the entry-level Anthropologist and Archeologist salary guide.
Remote vs Onsite Anthropologist and Archeologist Pay in Seattle, WA
Remote work can widen the employer pool for Anthropologist and Archeologist candidates in Seattle, WA. Onsite and hybrid roles may still pay more when employers need local availability, local clients, regulated work, or team coverage.
| Work Type | Estimated Salary | Experience | Best Fit | Flexibility |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Remote | $81,176.3 | Market dependent | National hiring pools | High |
| Hybrid | $84,489.7 | Metro dependent | Seattle, WA employers | Medium |
| Onsite | $82,833.0 | Location dependent | Local teams and operations | Lower |
Cost of Living vs Salary in Seattle, WA
A salary in Seattle, WA should be read alongside housing, commuting, tax, and everyday costs. The same annual pay can feel very different at entry, mid-level, and senior levels.
Top Employers Hiring Anthropologist and Archeologists in Seattle, WA
Employer mix is one of the biggest city-level salary drivers. The industries below highlight where Anthropologist and Archeologist pay tends to be strongest in Seattle, WA, based on the sectors that create the most hiring demand for this role.
Anthropologist and Archeologist Salary Trends in Seattle, WA Over Time
Historical salary trend data for Anthropologist and Archeologist in Seattle, WA is available across multiple BLS wage years. The chart below shows how the local salary benchmark has changed over time.
* 2024–2026 values are modeled estimates extending from the last confirmed BLS benchmark. The last confirmed BLS figure ($77.9K, 2024) is extended with recent wage trend history, employment outlook, and tech-market signals where available, then replaced when official data is published.
Career Growth Opportunities in Seattle, WA
Local career growth is strongest when it is read through both the city salary ladder and the broader national demand outlook. The city salary benchmark shows what this market currently pays, while the career path and BLS demand data show how that benchmark can expand with scope and responsibility.
| Metric | 2026 Outlook |
|---|---|
| Projected employment | 8.8k → 9.2k |
| Typical education | Most of these occupations require graduate school. For example, they may require a master's degree, and some require a Ph.D., M.D., or J.D. (law degree). |
| Related experience | Extensive skill, knowledge, and experience are needed for these occupations. Many require more than five years of experience. For example, surgeons must complete four years of college and an additional five to seven years of specialized medical training to be able to do their job. |
| Local market anchor | 120 jobs with a median of $82,833.0 |
Factors Affecting Anthropologist and Archeologist Salary in Seattle, WA
Local pay rarely moves for one reason alone. In city markets, the biggest differences usually come from employer concentration, industry mix, seniority, and whether the role is tied to business-critical work that is harder to staff.
How to Increase Your Anthropologist and Archeologist Salary in Seattle, WA
In city markets, salary growth often comes from better positioning as much as from patience. These moves are most useful when you already understand the local benchmark and want a clearer path beyond it.
Anthropologist and Archeologist Salary in Seattle, WA: FAQs
These questions usually come up after readers compare the city benchmark, the statewide picture, and the local experience ladder. They help clarify how to read the market and what matters most when you compare this city with other options.
These FAQs focus on how readers searching for "Anthropologist and Archeologist" usually compare local pay, employer mix, and market differences in this city.
What is the average Anthropologists & Archeologists salary?⌄
What is the entry-level Anthropologists & Archeologists salary?⌄
How much can senior Anthropologists & Archeologists professionals earn?⌄
Does location affect Anthropologists & Archeologists salary?⌄
Which skills matter for Anthropologists & Archeologists salary growth?⌄
Salary figures use BLS OEWS wage facts for 2024. City pages use the BLS metropolitan area as the salary dataset, display the largest city as the public page name, and model experience bands from local wage percentiles.