SOC 19-3091 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Anthropologists and Archeologists — Washington
Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV
Median pay for this occupation in Washington, DC comes to $87,400 a year, ahead of the national median of $70,770 by 23.5%.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
Median pay for this occupation in Washington, DC comes to $87,400 a year, ahead of the national median of $70,770 by 23.5%. The middle half of workers in this occupation earn between $54,160 and $118,560. The lowest tenth earn under $48,640, while the highest tenth earn more than $136,660.
Employment stands at 250, or 0.1 jobs per thousand held locally. Set against every other occupation measured in the same area, it ranks 243rd of 707 by median pay.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $48,640 | −31.3% |
| 25th | $54,160 | −23.5% |
| Median (50th) | $87,400 | +23.5% |
| 75th | $118,560 | +67.5% |
| 90th | $136,660 | +93.1% |
| Mean | $89,890 | +27.0% |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Washington run 9.9% above the national average, so the median of $87,400 buys what $79,527 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way the gap against the national median narrows to 12.4% above the national median in real terms.
Published median
$87,400as reported by BLSLocal price level
109.9US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$79,527US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $87,400 a year, 23.5% above the national median.
- Published pay spans $48,640 to $136,660 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 250 jobs in this occupation.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Anthropologists and Archeologists in Washington, DC?
The median annual wage is $87,400, or $42.02 per hour, as of May 2025. Half of the workers in this occupation earn more than that and half earn less.
Is that higher than the national average?
The national median for this occupation is $70,770, so pay in Washington, DC is 23.5% higher. These figures are medians, not averages: half of workers fall on each side.
What do the top earners make?
The top tenth of this occupation in Washington, DC earns more than $136,660 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $48,640 per year. The survey measures wages actually paid rather than experience level, so this reflects the lowest-paid tenth rather than entry-level pay specifically.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 250 jobs in this occupation in Washington, DC. Self-employed workers are not included.
Source and methodology
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 Wages are for wage-and-salary workers; self-employed workers are not included. Salary Explorer is an independent project. It is not affiliated with, or endorsed by, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics or any government agency. Full methodology.
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