Skip to the main content
This website uses cookies to give you a better online experience. By using this website or closing this message, you are agreeing to our cookie policy. More information
Alberta Supports Contact Centre

Toll Free 1-877-644-9992

Anthropologist

Anthropologists study the past and present nature of human cultures, societies, and languages. They also study the biological make-up, adaptations, and evolution of human beings and their primate kin.

Also Known As

Biological Anthropologist, Linguistic Anthropologist, Socio-Cultural Anthropologist, Specializations Archaeologist, Research Scientist

NOC Codes

In Canada, the federal government groups and organizes occupations based on a National Occupational Classification (NOC) system. This alis occupation may not reflect the entire NOC group it is part of. Data for the NOC group can apply across multiple occupations.

The NOC system is updated every 5 years to reflect changes in the labour market. Government forms and labour market data may group and refer to an occupation differently, depending on the system used.

Here is how this occupation has been classified over time.

2006 NOC

  • 4169.1: Anthropologists
  • 4169.2: Archaeologists

2006 NOC-S

  • E038: Other Professional Occupations in Social Science

2011 NOC

  • 4169: Other professional occupations in social science, n.e.c.

2016 NOC

  • 4169: Other professional occupations in social science, n.e.c.

2021 NOC

  • 41409: Other professional occupations in social science

2023 OaSIS

  • 41409.01: Anthropologists
  • 41409.02: Archaeologists
Duties
Updated Mar 17, 2023

Anthropologists study all aspects of human society and culture, past and present. They may study some things about non-human primates. They also may do comparative studies of living or ancient people’s cultures including cultural frameworks, social structures, languages, and biological makeup. This can include studying:

  • Material cultural remains (anything made or modified by humans)
  • Traditions, beliefs, or customs
  • Languages
  • Patterns of subsistence and settlement

Their research may focus on cultural beliefs, symbols, kinship, and social organization. Or it may look into religious, economic, political, or legal aspects of society.

Anthropologists use various field methods, techniques, and theoretical approaches to conduct their research. Specialized types of study may involve interviewing, statistical data analysis and interpretation, or scientific techniques. These can include:

  • Chronometric dating
  • Geographic information systems (GIS)
  • Artifact analysis
  • Stratigraphic mapping

More and more, anthropologists use molecular techniques to gather information from both human and non-human primate subjects. For example, they may use hormone, nutritional, or microbiome analyses, and DNA sequencing. They may use DNA to understand modern human populations and non-human primates. They also may apply DNA techniques to learn about past peoples or extinct populations.

Anthropology is divided into four main subfields. Within these subfields, anthropologists may specialize in geographic areas, periods, or populations within a specific region.

  • Archaeology is the study of the material culture of human societies. This allows them to describe, reconstruct, and interpret the origin, characteristics, and development of human societies and cultures. They may do this by excavating sites, carbon dating organic artifacts, and conducting residue analysis. They may also work in cultural resource management (CRM) or museums.
  • Biological or physical anthropology includes the study of human evolution (palaeoanthropology), the behaviour and biology of non-human primates (primatology), and human skeletal remains. They strive to understand human variation and adaptation as influenced by heredity and environment. Forensic anthropologists use physical anthropology techniques to help police identify and analyze human remains at crime scenes.
  • Linguistic anthropology examines the past and present development and use of human languages and communication. Of special interest are language patterns and the way they influence thought and action. Linguistic anthropologists may be involved in community projects to document, preserve, and revive local languages.
  • Social or cultural anthropology (or socio-cultural anthropology) studies differences and ways in which humans adapt to their environments, developing culture along the way. Cultural anthropologists may study ancient cultures that still exist in the world today, or they may specialize in specific aspects of modern culture. For example, medical anthropologists examine human health and health systems to understand links between nutrition and environment, or the use of alternative health care. People trained in socio-cultural anthropology often find work as cultural liaisons for development projects in Alberta.

Anthropologists who work for universities typically combine teaching with field work and laboratory research. For more information, see the University Professor occupational profile.

Working Conditions
Updated Mar 17, 2023
  • Strength Required Lift up to 5 kg

Anthropologists may work indoors in offices, classrooms, and laboratories, or outdoors when they are doing field work. When doing fieldwork, they may live in tents or local housing, sometimes in remote locations. They often work long hours, alone or as part of large teams, and for long periods. Fieldwork is usually seasonal and can be physically demanding.

Anthropologists work closely with researchers in other disciplines. These can include biology, chemistry, computer science, gender studies, geography, geology, history, human anatomy, medicine, museum studies, paleontology, and sociology. They also work with public groups, such as those doing community-based research and citizen science. They also may supervise field and laboratory staff and volunteers.

Interests & Abilities

In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2006 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups. If there are multiple related NOC groups, select a NOC heading to learn about each one.

Anthropologists

2006 NOC: 4169.1

Interest Codes

Interest Codes for This NOC Group
INNOVATIVE

Interest in co-ordinating information to gather and analyze data on social and cultural behaviour, artifacts, language and human biology, and to undertake comparative studies of societies and cultures, or of selected aspects of cultures, of living people and of peoples no longer in existence

DIRECTIVE

Interest in consulting to report on data; may teach anthropology at advanced educational levels

METHODICAL

Interest in reconstructing records of extinct cultures by studying remains obtained from archaeological excavations

Your Interest Codes

To identify or change your interest codes, complete the Interests Exercise in CAREERinsite.

Reading Interest Codes
A Quick Guide

The interest code helps you figure out if you’d like to work in a particular occupation. 

It’s based on the Canadian Work Preference Inventory (CWPI), which measures 5 occupational interests: Directive, Innovative, Methodical, Objective, and Social.

Each set of 3 interest codes for this NOC group is listed in order of importance.

A code in capital letters means it’s a strong fit for the occupation.

A code in all lowercase letters means the fit is weaker.

Learn About Interests

Abilities

Typical ability expectations for this NOC group
Your abilities

To fill in or change the values for your abilities, complete the Abilities Exercise in CAREERinsite.

Mental Abilities

General Learning Ability

Verbal Ability

Numerical Ability

Visual Abilities

Spatial Perception

Form Perception

Clerical Perception

Physical Abilities

Motor Coordination

Finger Dexterity

Manual Dexterity

Understanding Abilities

A Quick Guide

You are born with abilities that help you process certain types of information and turn it into action. These abilities influence which skills you can learn more easily.

The abilities or aptitudes shown for this NOC group come from the General Aptitude Test Battery (GATB). The GATB measures 9 aptitudes. It groups them into 3 categories: mental, visual, and physical.

The abilities scores range from 1 to 5, with 5 being stronger.

Learn About Abilities

Archaeologists

2006 NOC: 4169.2

Interest Codes

Interest Codes for This NOC Group
INNOVATIVE

Interest in co-ordinating information to interpret the significance of archaeological finds by determining the importance of the history conveyed by artifacts and the extent to which they reflect the lives of the peoples who produced them

DIRECTIVE

Interest in consulting with authorities to provide advice concerning the search for the remains of buildings and the collection, identification and preservation of artifacts; and in selecting site locations and overseeing excavations

METHODICAL

Interest in handling artifacts to examine and classify them, and to determine authenticity and identity

Your Interest Codes

To identify or change your interest codes, complete the Interests Exercise in CAREERinsite.

Reading Interest Codes
A Quick Guide

The interest code helps you figure out if you’d like to work in a particular occupation. 

It’s based on the Canadian Work Preference Inventory (CWPI), which measures 5 occupational interests: Directive, Innovative, Methodical, Objective, and Social.

Each set of 3 interest codes for this NOC group is listed in order of importance.

A code in capital letters means it’s a strong fit for the occupation.

A code in all lowercase letters means the fit is weaker.

Learn About Interests

Abilities

Typical ability expectations for this NOC group
Your abilities

To fill in or change the values for your abilities, complete the Abilities Exercise in CAREERinsite.

Mental Abilities

General Learning Ability

Verbal Ability

Numerical Ability

Visual Abilities

Spatial Perception

Form Perception

Clerical Perception

Physical Abilities

Motor Coordination

Finger Dexterity

Manual Dexterity

Understanding Abilities

A Quick Guide

You are born with abilities that help you process certain types of information and turn it into action. These abilities influence which skills you can learn more easily.

The abilities or aptitudes shown for this NOC group come from the General Aptitude Test Battery (GATB). The GATB measures 9 aptitudes. It groups them into 3 categories: mental, visual, and physical.

The abilities scores range from 1 to 5, with 5 being stronger.

Learn About Abilities

Traits & Skills
Updated Mar 17, 2023

Anthropologists need:

  • Adaptability
  • Curiosity, respect, and tolerance for cultures, beliefs, peoples, and regions
  • Patience
  • Organizational skills
  • Attention to detail
  • Analytical and logical thinking
  • Problem-solving skills
  • Communication skills for diverse audiences
  • A willingness to work in potentially challenging field conditions
  • An interest in examining and interpreting cultures of living peoples
  • The ability to collect, analyze, and interpret detailed data
  • The ability to provide information to other professionals as well as the public
  • Writing and presentation skills

They should enjoy:

  • Collecting and analyzing data
  • Finding innovative approaches to intellectual puzzles
  • Consulting with and directing the work of others
  • Taking a method-based approach to interpreting and understanding human behaviour
  • Travelling, including overseas
Educational Requirements
Updated Mar 17, 2023
  • Minimum Education 4 years post-secondary

Anthropologists have a variety of educational backgrounds. Most begin with a bachelor’s degree (BA, B.Sc.) in anthropology or a related discipline (e.g., archaeology, primatology, environmental or cultural studies). Biological anthropologists require training in human anatomy and biology. Archaeologists should have a background in earth sciences, including geology and geography. Depending on their specialty, anthropologists may benefit from training in qualitative or quantitative statistics and analysis. A second language is a vital asset, particularly when doing field work in other countries.

Specialization in specific areas of anthropology most often requires a master’s (MA or M.Sc.) or doctoral (PhD) degree in anthropology or a specific subdiscipline. Research and teaching positions at the post-secondary level generally require a doctoral degree. Archaeological field research permitting in Alberta requires an MA or M.Sc. and relevant experience.

Admission to graduate programs (MA, M.Sc., PhD) generally requires successful completion of a 4-year bachelor’s degree program. This is preferably in the honours stream with the completion of an honours thesis or another independent research project.

To expand or narrow your program options, visit Post-Secondary Programs and start your search with:

Completing a program does not guarantee entrance into an occupation. Before enrolling in an education program, prospective students should look into various sources for education options and employment possibilities. For example, contact associations and employers in this field.

Certification Requirements
Updated Mar 17, 2023
  • Certification Not Regulated

Archeological excavations need to be conducted in accordance with the Historical Resources Act and led by an archaeologist who meets the requirements of the Archaeological and Palaeontological Research Permit Regulation (see Employment and Advancement section for more information).

With the above exception, there is currently no provincial legislation regulating this occupation in Alberta.

Employment & Advancement
Updated Mar 17, 2023

Anthropologists may work for:

  • Colleges, polytechnics, or universities
  • Indigenous communities
  • Museums
  • Non-governmental organizations
  • Municipal, provincial, or federal government departments
  • Private organizations involved in policy-making, conservation, or social science research, parks, historic site development, cultural resources, or public education
  • Private and public sector organizations that carry out ethnographic research (the study of people and culture), social and historical trend analysis, or environmental impact assessments
  • Private and public sector organizations involved in international aid and development
  • Large companies with marketing or HR departments

Anthropologists with a bachelor’s degree may work in the field or lab on a seasonal contract basis. They may find careers in public, private, or non-governmental organizations in international development.

Those with a master’s degree may teach at community colleges. They may work in government, such as in a heritage department, or for private consulting firms. They may work for individual First Nations, or for non-governmental organizations, such as museums. A PhD is usually required to do independent research in anthropology, or to teach at the university level.

An archaeological research permit from the Government of Alberta is required to carry out archaeological research in Alberta. To qualify, applicants must have at least a master’s degree in archaeology (or anthropology with a focus on archaeology), 24 weeks of supervised training in archaeological surveying and excavation techniques, and 6 weeks of training in curation or laboratory analysis. They also need experience designing and executing a research project equal in scope to that described in the application. Each jurisdiction in Alberta has its own regulations about how to submit artifacts and project reports.

Due to very low employment turnover and a small number of positions, employment and advancement opportunities in these types of positions are limited. Currently, most positions involve short-term contract work rather than long-term positions with a single employer.

There is growing demand for cultural anthropologists in business. Some large companies have recognized the value of employees who understand cultural differences in positioning products and services in different global markets, or doing HR work with employees in international offices.

Industry Concentration

This section shows the industries where the majority of people in this occupation work. The data is based on the 2016 Census.

In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2016 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups.

Other professional occupations in social science, n.e.c.
2016 NOC: 4169

80.2% of people in this occupational group work in:

NOC groups often include several related occupations. Although there is labour market data for the larger NOC group, this occupation makes up only a part of that group. It means data for this occupation may be different than the data shown. For examples, see Note.

3-Year Job Market Forecast

This section shows the short-term demand forecasted for this occupation in Alberta over a 3-year period. It also shows the number of people employed in the occupation.

In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2021 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups.

Other professional occupations in social science
2021 NOC: 41409
Lower
Demand
< 1500
Employed

Source: 2023-2025 Alberta Short-Term Employment Forecast

NOC groups often include several related occupations. Although there is labour market data for the larger NOC group, this occupation makes up only a part of that group. It means data for this occupation may be different than the data shown. For examples, see Note.

To see data for all occupations, visit Occupations in Demand.

5-Year Job Market Forecast

This section shows the employment outlook for this occupation in Alberta over a 5-year period.

Employment outlook is influenced by a wide variety of factors including:

  • Time of year (for seasonal jobs)
  • Location in Alberta
  • Employment turnover (when people leave existing positions)
  • Occupational growth (when new positions are created)
  • Size of the occupation
  • Trends and events that affect overall employment, especially in the industry or industries from the previous list

In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2016 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups.

Other professional occupations in social science, n.e.c.
2016 NOC: 4169
2.5%
Annual Growth
(Above Average)
3
New Positions

Source: 2021-2025 Alberta Regional Occupational Demand Outlook

Annual growth is from 2021 to 2025. New positions created each year are in addition to job openings created by employment turnover.

NOC groups often include several related occupations. Although there is labour market data for the larger NOC group, this occupation makes up only a part of that group. It means data for this occupation may be different than the data shown. For examples, see Note.

Employment turnover is expected to increase as members of the baby boom generation retire over the next few years.

Related Alberta Job Postings
Wage & Salary
Updated Mar 17, 2023

Salaries for university positions vary with:

  • Academic qualifications
  • Administrative skills and responsibilities
  • Each organization

As an example, see the University professors and lecturers wage profile.

In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2016 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups. If there are multiple related NOC groups, select a NOC heading to learn about each one.

Other professional occupations in social science, n.e.c.

2016 NOC: 4169
Average Wage
$44.68
Per Hour
Average Salary
$82,211.00
Per Year
Average Hours
34.8
Per Week
Average Months on Payroll
12
Survey Methodology Survey Analysis

Source
2021 Alberta Wage and Salary Survey

NOC 4169 Wage Profile

Unless otherwise noted, the data shown here is for all industries and all regions in Alberta.

All wage estimates are hourly except where otherwise indicated. Wages and salaries do not include overtime hours, tips, benefits, profit shares, bonuses (unrelated to production), and other forms of compensation.

To see the full survey data for this NOC group, visit the wage profile.

Other wage sources
To make an informed wage and salary decision, research other wage sources [pdf] to supplement this data.

B: Good Reliability
Data Reliability Code Definition

Good Reliability, represents a CV of between 6.01% and 15.00% and/or fewer than 30 survey observations and/or if survey observations represent less than 50% of all estimated employment for the occupation.


Hourly Wage

For full-time and part-time employees
  • Low
  • High
  • Average
  • Median
Starting
Overall
Top

Hourly Wage

For full-time and part-time employees
Wages* Low (5th percentile) High (95th percentile) Average Median
Starting $21.00 $42.06 $32.76 $33.00
Overall $23.25 $55.54 $44.68 $43.11
Top $25.00 $80.04 $54.73 $50.69

Swipe left and right to view all data. Scroll left and right to view all data.

* All wage estimates are hourly except where otherwise indicated. Wages and salaries do not include overtime hours, tips, benefits, profit shares, bonuses (unrelated to production) and other forms of compensation.

Pay brackets for hourly wages

  • Starting pay: average pay offered for entry-level positions
  • Overall pay: average pay across all employees in this occupation
  • Top pay: average pay offered to top-paid employees

Industry Information

ALL INDUSTRIES
Health Care & Social Assistance
Public Administration

Skills Shortage

Employers that Recruited in the Last 2 Years
N/A
Recruiting Employers that Experienced Hiring Difficulties
N/A
Employers with Unfilled Vacancies of over 4 Months
N/A
Vacancy Rate
N/A
Related Post-Secondary Field of Study
  • Human Ecology, Fashion and Food Sciences
  • Humanities and Languages
  • Sciences
  • Social Sciences, Law and Religious Studies
Other Sources of Information
Updated Mar 17, 2023

Canadian Anthropology Society (CASCA) website: www.cas-sca.ca

Canadian Archaeological Association (CAA) website: www.canadianarchaeology.com

Canadian Association for Biological Anthropology (CABA) website: caba-acab.net

Get information and referrals about career, education, and employment options from Alberta Supports.

Updated Mar 17, 2023. The information contained in this profile is current as of the dates shown. Salary, employment outlook, and educational program information may change without notice. It is advised that you confirm this information before making any career decisions.

Was this page useful?