The job market for anthropologists in the United States

There are currently an estimated 8,000 anthropologists in the United States. The anthropologist job market is expected to grow by 3.8% between 2022 and 2032.

How employable are anthropologists?

CareerExplorer rates anthropologists with a D employability rating, meaning this career should provide weak employment opportunities for the foreseeable future. Over the next 10 years, it is expected the US will need 6,600 anthropologists. That number is based on 300 additional anthropologists, and the retirement of 6,300 existing anthropologists.

Are anthropologists in demand?

Due to the small size of the anthropologist sector, even high growth rates in the field do not lead to many additional job opportunities. Furthermore, growth of research jobs with public institutions is generally determined by federal budget dollars and allocation of grant funds. This fact has led to employment of anthropologists in less traditional settings. Business, consulting, and cultural resource management (CRM) firms are predicted to produce most available positions, largely because more corporations will rely on anthropologists to help them understand diverse workforces, economic development issues, and changing consumer markets. Newly graduated anthropologists unable to immediately secure research posts may also find work as archivists, curators, or college professors. Anthropologists who conduct research typically hold a Master’s or Doctorate Degree. Candidates with a Bachelor’s Degree are often employed as fieldwork assistants. Because of the small number of positions overall, prospects will be best for job seekers with a Ph.D, extensive fieldwork experience, and knowledge of both qualitative and quantitative research methods. The field of anthropology will continue to expand beyond its traditional job markets of research and academia. Just as businesses and management firms have done, other sectors will call upon anthropologists to apply their expertise in new ways. All levels of government will look to the field of anthropology to improve their planning, managerial, and cultural resource assessment capacities. Police departments and other security sectors will increasingly recognize the value of anthropologic science in forensics, disaster assistance, and identifying mysterious or unknown remains. Non-profit and non-governmental organizations, especially in the areas of health and the environment, are more and more recognizing the value of anthropologists in designing and implementing a wide variety of programs.

What’s the supply of anthropologists?

The anthropologist industry is concentrated in California, Arizona, New Mexico

Anthropologist job market by state