Anthropologists

Home » Careers » Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations » Anthropologists

Job Description: Research, evaluate, and establish public policy concerning the origins of humans; their physical, social, linguistic, and cultural development; and their behavior, as well as the cultures, organizations, and institutions they have created.

Anthropologists spend a lot of their time Getting Information. They are naturally good at Oral Comprehension, Written Expression, Oral Expression, and Written Comprehension. Anthropologists are typically characterized as being Investigative and Artistic. They are usually very knowledgable about Sociology and Anthropology, English Language, and Education and Training and are skilled at Science and Writing.

Does this career sound like a good fit for you? If so, the next step may be to finish your education. There are many online and oncampus degrees offered in:

Universities.com can help you find the right school to start you on a path to your dream job.

Work Activities

Getting Information
  
Processing Information
  
Analyzing Data or Information
  
Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events
  
Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships
  
Thinking Creatively
  
Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work
  
Communicating with Persons Outside Organization
  
Training and Teaching Others
  
Interpreting the Meaning of Information for Others
  
Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates
  
Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge
  
Making Decisions and Solving Problems
  
Provide Consultation and Advice to Others
  
Coaching and Developing Others
  
Judging the Qualities of Things, Services, or People
  
Documenting/Recording Information
  
Resolving Conflicts and Negotiating with Others
  
Scheduling Work and Activities
  
Developing Objectives and Strategies
  
Performing Administrative Activities
  
Coordinating the Work and Activities of Others
  
Guiding, Directing, and Motivating Subordinates
  
Monitor Processes, Materials, or Surroundings
  
Developing and Building Teams
  
Interacting With Computers
  
Monitoring and Controlling Resources
  
Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards
  
Performing for or Working Directly with the Public
  
Assisting and Caring for Others
  
Estimating the Quantifiable Characteristics of Products, Events, or Information
  
Staffing Organizational Units
  
Selling or Influencing Others
  
Handling and Moving Objects
  
Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Material
  
Performing General Physical Activities
  
Drafting, Laying Out, and Specifying Technical Devices, Parts, and Equipment
  
Controlling Machines and Processes
  
Operating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or Equipment
  

Abilities

Oral Comprehension
  
Written Expression
  
Oral Expression
  
Written Comprehension
  
Inductive Reasoning
  
Deductive Reasoning
  
Near Vision
  
Category Flexibility
  
Speech Clarity
  
Problem Sensitivity
  
Originality
  
Fluency of Ideas
  
Information Ordering
  
Speech Recognition
  
Speed of Closure
  
Far Vision
  
Flexibility of Closure
  
Selective Attention
  
Visualization
  
Memorization
  
Mathematical Reasoning
  
Time Sharing
  
Visual Color Discrimination
  
Perceptual Speed
  
Number Facility
  
Depth Perception
  
Finger Dexterity
  
Hearing Sensitivity
  
Control Precision
  
Multilimb Coordination
  
Auditory Attention
  

Interests

Investigative
  
Artistic
  
Social
  
Conventional
  
Realistic
  
Enterprising
  

Knowledge

Sociology and Anthropology
  
English Language
  
Education and Training
  
History and Archeology
  
Geography
  
Philosophy and Theology
  
Foreign Language
  
Psychology
  
Communications and Media
  
Mathematics
  
Clerical
  
Biology
  
Administration and Management
  
Personnel and Human Resources
  
Customer and Personal Service
  
Law and Government
  
Computers and Electronics
  
Therapy and Counseling
  
Economics and Accounting
  
Sales and Marketing
  
Medicine and Dentistry
  
Fine Arts
  
Public Safety and Security
  
Chemistry
  
Food Production
  
Transportation
  
Production and Processing
  
Telecommunications
  
Design
  
Mechanical
  
Engineering and Technology
  

Wages

District of Columbia
$92,330  
 
Massachusetts
$68,660  
 
Missouri
$66,960  
 
Hawaii
$66,280  
 
Idaho
$65,050  
 
Pennsylvania
$63,750  
 
Alaska
$63,190  
 
Washington
$62,230  
 
Montana
$61,690  
 
New Jersey
$61,350  
 
Utah
$60,700  
 
Oregon
$59,650  
 
Nevada
$59,310  
 
California
$59,100  
 
Wisconsin
$56,970  
 
Wyoming
$55,820  
 
North Carolina
$54,350  
 
Illinois
$52,620  
 
New Mexico
$52,190  
 
New York
$50,410  
 
Florida
$50,330  
 
Arizona
$49,030  
 
Colorado
$49,030  
 
Kentucky
$48,500  
 
Georgia
$46,990  
 
Ohio
$46,440  
 
Virginia
$42,860  
 
Iowa
$42,680  
 
Texas
$42,520  
 
South Dakota
$39,100  
 
Maryland
$37,260  
 
Tennessee
$36,520  
 
Alabama
$33,960  
 
Louisiana
$29,660  
 

Skills

Science
  
Writing
  
Reading Comprehension
  
Critical Thinking
  
Speaking
  
Active Listening
  
Social Perceptiveness
  
Systems Analysis
  
Active Learning
  
Complex Problem Solving
  
Judgment and Decision Making
  
Time Management
  
Operations Analysis
  
Systems Evaluation
  
Monitoring
  
Instructing
  
Management of Personnel Resources
  
Learning Strategies
  
Coordination
  
Persuasion
  
Negotiation
  
Mathematics
  
Service Orientation
  
Management of Financial Resources
  
Management of Material Resources
  
Operation Monitoring
  
Operation and Control
  

Work Values

Independence
  
Achievement
  
Relationships
  
Working Conditions
  
Recognition
  
Support
  

Work Styles

Analytical Thinking
  
Independence
  
Integrity
  
Initiative
  
Dependability
  
Adaptability/Flexibility
  
Persistence
  
Achievement/Effort
  
Innovation
  
Self Control
  
Attention to Detail
  
Concern for Others
  
Social Orientation
  
Cooperation
  
Stress Tolerance
  
Leadership
  

Work Context

Electronic Mail
  
Freedom to Make Decisions
  
Telephone
  
Face-to-Face Discussions
  
Structured versus Unstructured Work
  
Indoors, Environmentally Controlled
  
Importance of Being Exact or Accurate
  
Contact With Others
  
Letters and Memos
  
Spend Time Sitting
  
Frequency of Decision Making
  
Public Speaking
  
Work With Work Group or Team
  
Level of Competition
  
Time Pressure
  
Impact of Decisions on Co-workers or Company Results
  
Coordinate or Lead Others
  
Responsibility for Outcomes and Results
  
Indoors, Not Environmentally Controlled
  
Deal With External Customers
  
Frequency of Conflict Situations
  
Spend Time Making Repetitive Motions
  
Duration of Typical Work Week
  
Outdoors, Exposed to Weather
  
Physical Proximity
  
Deal With Unpleasant or Angry People
  
Consequence of Error
  
In an Enclosed Vehicle or Equipment
  
Importance of Repeating Same Tasks
  
Sounds, Noise Levels Are Distracting or Uncomfortable
  
Responsible for Others' Health and Safety
  
Outdoors, Under Cover
  
Spend Time Using Your Hands to Handle, Control, or Feel Objects, Tools, or Controls
  
Very Hot or Cold Temperatures
  
Spend Time Standing
  
Exposed to Contaminants
  
Extremely Bright or Inadequate Lighting
  
Exposed to Disease or Infections
  
Exposed to Minor Burns, Cuts, Bites, or Stings
  
Cramped Work Space, Awkward Positions
  
Spend Time Walking and Running
  
Work Schedules
  
Degree of Automation
  
Deal With Physically Aggressive People
  
In an Open Vehicle or Equipment
  
Spend Time Kneeling, Crouching, Stooping, or Crawling
  
Spend Time Bending or Twisting the Body
  
Wear Common Protective or Safety Equipment such as Safety Shoes, Glasses, Gloves, Hearing Protection, Hard Hats, or Life Jackets
  
Exposed to Hazardous Equipment
  
Exposed to High Places
  
Spend Time Keeping or Regaining Balance
  
Exposed to Hazardous Conditions
  
Wear Specialized Protective or Safety Equipment such as Breathing Apparatus, Safety Harness, Full Protection Suits, or Radiation Protection
  
Exposed to Radiation
  
Exposed to Whole Body Vibration
  
Spend Time Climbing Ladders, Scaffolds, or Poles
  
Pace Determined by Speed of Equipment
  

-40 hours-

Duration of Typical Work Week
  

-A lot of freedom-

Freedom to Make Decisions
  
Structured versus Unstructured Work
  

-About half the time-

Spend Time Standing
  
Spend Time Sitting
  
Spend Time Using Your Hands to Handle, Control, or Feel Objects, Tools, or Controls
  
Spend Time Making Repetitive Motions
  
Spend Time Kneeling, Crouching, Stooping, or Crawling
  
Spend Time Climbing Ladders, Scaffolds, or Poles
  
Spend Time Bending or Twisting the Body
  
Spend Time Keeping or Regaining Balance
  
Spend Time Walking and Running
  

-Completely automated-

Degree of Automation
  

-Constant contact with others-

Contact With Others
  

-Contact with others about half the time-

Contact With Others
  

-Contact with others most of the time-

Contact With Others
  

-Continually or almost continually-

Spend Time Sitting
  
Spend Time Making Repetitive Motions
  
Spend Time Keeping or Regaining Balance
  
Spend Time Walking and Running
  
Spend Time Standing
  
Spend Time Using Your Hands to Handle, Control, or Feel Objects, Tools, or Controls
  
Spend Time Kneeling, Crouching, Stooping, or Crawling
  
Spend Time Climbing Ladders, Scaffolds, or Poles
  
Spend Time Bending or Twisting the Body
  

-Every day-

Electronic Mail
  
Telephone
  
Face-to-Face Discussions
  
Indoors, Environmentally Controlled
  
Frequency of Decision Making
  
Letters and Memos
  
Indoors, Not Environmentally Controlled
  
Outdoors, Exposed to Weather
  
Time Pressure
  
Exposed to Contaminants
  
Public Speaking
  
In an Enclosed Vehicle or Equipment
  
Exposed to Minor Burns, Cuts, Bites, or Stings
  
Exposed to Disease or Infections
  
Cramped Work Space, Awkward Positions
  
In an Open Vehicle or Equipment
  
Extremely Bright or Inadequate Lighting
  
Frequency of Conflict Situations
  
Wear Specialized Protective or Safety Equipment such as Breathing Apparatus, Safety Harness, Full Protection Suits, or Radiation Protection
  
Sounds, Noise Levels Are Distracting or Uncomfortable
  
Exposed to Whole Body Vibration
  
Exposed to Hazardous Equipment
  
Exposed to High Places
  
Deal With Unpleasant or Angry People
  
Outdoors, Under Cover
  
Very Hot or Cold Temperatures
  
Exposed to Radiation
  
Wear Common Protective or Safety Equipment such as Safety Shoes, Glasses, Gloves, Hearing Protection, Hard Hats, or Life Jackets
  
Exposed to Hazardous Conditions
  
Deal With Physically Aggressive People
  

-Extremely competitive-

Level of Competition
  

-Extremely important-

Importance of Being Exact or Accurate
  
Importance of Repeating Same Tasks
  
Work With Work Group or Team
  
Deal With External Customers
  
Coordinate or Lead Others
  
Pace Determined by Speed of Equipment
  

-Extremely serious-

Consequence of Error
  

-Fairly important-

Deal With External Customers
  
Importance of Repeating Same Tasks
  
Coordinate or Lead Others
  
Work With Work Group or Team
  
Importance of Being Exact or Accurate
  
Pace Determined by Speed of Equipment
  

-Fairly serious-

Consequence of Error
  

-High responsibility-

Responsibility for Outcomes and Results
  
Responsible for Others' Health and Safety
  

-Highly automated-

Degree of Automation
  

-Highly competitive-

Level of Competition
  

-I don't work near other people (beyond 100 ft.)-

Physical Proximity
  

-I work with others but not closely (e.g., private office)-

Physical Proximity
  

-Important-

Coordinate or Lead Others
  
Work With Work Group or Team
  
Deal With External Customers
  
Importance of Repeating Same Tasks
  
Importance of Being Exact or Accurate
  
Pace Determined by Speed of Equipment
  

-Important results-

Impact of Decisions on Co-workers or Company Results
  

-Irregular (changes with weather conditions, production demands, or contract duration)-

Work Schedules
  

-Less than 40 hours-

Duration of Typical Work Week
  

-Less than half the time-

Spend Time Walking and Running
  
Spend Time Standing
  
Spend Time Kneeling, Crouching, Stooping, or Crawling
  
Spend Time Bending or Twisting the Body
  
Spend Time Making Repetitive Motions
  
Spend Time Using Your Hands to Handle, Control, or Feel Objects, Tools, or Controls
  
Spend Time Keeping or Regaining Balance
  
Spend Time Sitting
  
Spend Time Climbing Ladders, Scaffolds, or Poles
  

-Limited freedom-

Structured versus Unstructured Work
  
Freedom to Make Decisions
  

-Limited responsibility-

Responsible for Others' Health and Safety
  
Responsibility for Outcomes and Results
  

-Minor results-

Impact of Decisions on Co-workers or Company Results
  

-Moderate responsibility-

Responsibility for Outcomes and Results
  
Responsible for Others' Health and Safety
  

-Moderate results-

Impact of Decisions on Co-workers or Company Results
  

-Moderately automated-

Degree of Automation
  

-Moderately close (at arm's length)-

Physical Proximity
  

-Moderately competitive-

Level of Competition
  

-More than 40 hours-

Duration of Typical Work Week
  

-More than half the time-

Spend Time Sitting
  
Spend Time Making Repetitive Motions
  
Spend Time Using Your Hands to Handle, Control, or Feel Objects, Tools, or Controls
  
Spend Time Standing
  
Spend Time Kneeling, Crouching, Stooping, or Crawling
  
Spend Time Climbing Ladders, Scaffolds, or Poles
  
Spend Time Bending or Twisting the Body
  
Spend Time Keeping or Regaining Balance
  
Spend Time Walking and Running
  

-Never-

Spend Time Climbing Ladders, Scaffolds, or Poles
  
Exposed to Whole Body Vibration
  
Exposed to Radiation
  
Wear Specialized Protective or Safety Equipment such as Breathing Apparatus, Safety Harness, Full Protection Suits, or Radiation Protection
  
Exposed to Hazardous Conditions
  
Spend Time Keeping or Regaining Balance
  
Exposed to Hazardous Equipment
  
Exposed to High Places
  
Wear Common Protective or Safety Equipment such as Safety Shoes, Glasses, Gloves, Hearing Protection, Hard Hats, or Life Jackets
  
In an Open Vehicle or Equipment
  
Spend Time Bending or Twisting the Body
  
Spend Time Kneeling, Crouching, Stooping, or Crawling
  
Cramped Work Space, Awkward Positions
  
Exposed to Minor Burns, Cuts, Bites, or Stings
  
Deal With Physically Aggressive People
  
Exposed to Disease or Infections
  
Exposed to Contaminants
  
Outdoors, Under Cover
  
Extremely Bright or Inadequate Lighting
  
Very Hot or Cold Temperatures
  
Spend Time Using Your Hands to Handle, Control, or Feel Objects, Tools, or Controls
  
Sounds, Noise Levels Are Distracting or Uncomfortable
  
In an Enclosed Vehicle or Equipment
  
Spend Time Walking and Running
  
Outdoors, Exposed to Weather
  
Spend Time Making Repetitive Motions
  
Indoors, Not Environmentally Controlled
  
Indoors, Environmentally Controlled
  
Frequency of Decision Making
  
Spend Time Standing
  
Deal With Unpleasant or Angry People
  
Telephone
  
Spend Time Sitting
  
Frequency of Conflict Situations
  
Time Pressure
  
Face-to-Face Discussions
  
Electronic Mail
  
Public Speaking
  
Letters and Memos
  

-No contact with others-

Contact With Others
  

-No freedom-

Structured versus Unstructured Work
  
Freedom to Make Decisions
  

-No responsibility-

Responsible for Others' Health and Safety
  
Responsibility for Outcomes and Results
  

-No results-

Impact of Decisions on Co-workers or Company Results
  

-Not at all automated-

Degree of Automation
  

-Not at all competitive-

Level of Competition
  

-Not important at all-

Pace Determined by Speed of Equipment
  
Importance of Repeating Same Tasks
  
Deal With External Customers
  
Coordinate or Lead Others
  
Work With Work Group or Team
  
Importance of Being Exact or Accurate
  

-Not serious at all-

Consequence of Error
  

-Occasional contact with others-

Contact With Others
  

-Once a month or more but not every week-

Frequency of Conflict Situations
  
Time Pressure
  
Deal With Unpleasant or Angry People
  
Indoors, Not Environmentally Controlled
  
In an Enclosed Vehicle or Equipment
  
Letters and Memos
  
Sounds, Noise Levels Are Distracting or Uncomfortable
  
Frequency of Decision Making
  
Public Speaking
  
Cramped Work Space, Awkward Positions
  
Extremely Bright or Inadequate Lighting
  
Exposed to Disease or Infections
  
Outdoors, Exposed to Weather
  
Exposed to Contaminants
  
Outdoors, Under Cover
  
Face-to-Face Discussions
  
Very Hot or Cold Temperatures
  
Exposed to Minor Burns, Cuts, Bites, or Stings
  
Indoors, Environmentally Controlled
  
In an Open Vehicle or Equipment
  
Exposed to High Places
  
Wear Common Protective or Safety Equipment such as Safety Shoes, Glasses, Gloves, Hearing Protection, Hard Hats, or Life Jackets
  
Exposed to Hazardous Conditions
  
Deal With Physically Aggressive People
  
Telephone
  
Exposed to Hazardous Equipment
  
Electronic Mail
  
Exposed to Radiation
  
Wear Specialized Protective or Safety Equipment such as Breathing Apparatus, Safety Harness, Full Protection Suits, or Radiation Protection
  
Exposed to Whole Body Vibration
  

-Once a week or more but not every day-

Public Speaking
  
Letters and Memos
  
Time Pressure
  
Indoors, Environmentally Controlled
  
Frequency of Decision Making
  
Indoors, Not Environmentally Controlled
  
Outdoors, Under Cover
  
Telephone
  
Very Hot or Cold Temperatures
  
Outdoors, Exposed to Weather
  
Sounds, Noise Levels Are Distracting or Uncomfortable
  
In an Enclosed Vehicle or Equipment
  
Frequency of Conflict Situations
  
Face-to-Face Discussions
  
Electronic Mail
  
Deal With Unpleasant or Angry People
  
Extremely Bright or Inadequate Lighting
  
Exposed to Minor Burns, Cuts, Bites, or Stings
  
Wear Common Protective or Safety Equipment such as Safety Shoes, Glasses, Gloves, Hearing Protection, Hard Hats, or Life Jackets
  
Cramped Work Space, Awkward Positions
  
Exposed to Hazardous Conditions
  
Deal With Physically Aggressive People
  
In an Open Vehicle or Equipment
  
Exposed to Disease or Infections
  
Wear Specialized Protective or Safety Equipment such as Breathing Apparatus, Safety Harness, Full Protection Suits, or Radiation Protection
  
Exposed to Whole Body Vibration
  
Exposed to Hazardous Equipment
  
Exposed to Contaminants
  
Exposed to High Places
  
Exposed to Radiation
  

-Once a year or more but not every month-

Deal With Unpleasant or Angry People
  
Deal With Physically Aggressive People
  
Very Hot or Cold Temperatures
  
Outdoors, Exposed to Weather
  
Extremely Bright or Inadequate Lighting
  
Sounds, Noise Levels Are Distracting or Uncomfortable
  
Exposed to Contaminants
  
Exposed to Disease or Infections
  
Frequency of Conflict Situations
  
In an Enclosed Vehicle or Equipment
  
Exposed to Minor Burns, Cuts, Bites, or Stings
  
Wear Common Protective or Safety Equipment such as Safety Shoes, Glasses, Gloves, Hearing Protection, Hard Hats, or Life Jackets
  
In an Open Vehicle or Equipment
  
Outdoors, Under Cover
  
Indoors, Not Environmentally Controlled
  
Exposed to Hazardous Equipment
  
Exposed to High Places
  
Cramped Work Space, Awkward Positions
  
Public Speaking
  
Wear Specialized Protective or Safety Equipment such as Breathing Apparatus, Safety Harness, Full Protection Suits, or Radiation Protection
  
Exposed to Whole Body Vibration
  
Frequency of Decision Making
  
Exposed to Radiation
  
Exposed to Hazardous Conditions
  
Indoors, Environmentally Controlled
  
Time Pressure
  
Letters and Memos
  
Face-to-Face Discussions
  
Electronic Mail
  
Telephone
  

-Regular (established routine, set schedule)-

Work Schedules
  

-Seasonal (only during certain times of the year)-

Work Schedules
  

-Serious-

Consequence of Error
  

-Slightly automated-

Degree of Automation
  

-Slightly close (e.g., shared office)-

Physical Proximity
  

-Slightly competitive-

Level of Competition
  

-Some freedom-

Freedom to Make Decisions
  
Structured versus Unstructured Work
  

-Very close (near touching)-

Physical Proximity
  

-Very high responsibility-

Responsibility for Outcomes and Results
  
Responsible for Others' Health and Safety
  

-Very important-

Importance of Being Exact or Accurate
  
Work With Work Group or Team
  
Coordinate or Lead Others
  
Deal With External Customers
  
Importance of Repeating Same Tasks
  
Pace Determined by Speed of Equipment
  

-Very important results-

Impact of Decisions on Co-workers or Company Results
  

-Very little freedom-

Structured versus Unstructured Work
  
Freedom to Make Decisions
  

-Very serious-

Consequence of Error
  

Task Ratings

Education Training Experience

-On-Site or In-Plant Training-

None
  
Up to and including 1 month
  
Over 1 month, up to and including 3 months
  
Over 3 months, up to and including 6 months
  
Over 6 months, up to and including 1 year
  
Over 2 years, up to and including 4 years
  

-On-the-Job Training-

None or short demonstration
  
Anything beyond short demonstration, up to and including 1 month
  
Over 1 month, up to and including 3 months
  
Over 3 months, up to and including 6 months
  
Over 6 months, up to and including 1 year
  
Over 2 years, up to and including 4 years
  

-Related Work Experience-

None
  
Over 6 months, up to and including 1 year
  
Over 1 year, up to and including 2 years
  
Over 2 years, up to and including 4 years
  
Over 4 years, up to and including 6 years
  

-Required Level of Education-

Bachelor's Degree
  
Master's Degree
  
Post-Master's Certificate - awarded for completion of an organized program of study; designed for people who have completed a Master's degree, but do not meet the requirements of academic degrees at the doctoral level
  
Doctoral Degree
  
Post-Doctoral Training