Applied Anthropologist, Archaeologist, Biological Anthropologist, Cultural Anthropologist, Forensic Anthropologist, Linguistic Anthropologist, Medical Anthropologist, Physical Anthropologist, Research Scientist, Social Anthropologist
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
Interest in consulting to report on data; may teach anthropology at advanced educational levels
Interest in reconstructing records of extinct cultures by studying remains obtained from archaeological excavations
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 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.
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
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
Interest in handling artifacts to examine and classify them, and to determine authenticity and identity
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 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.
Anthropologists study all aspects of human and non-human primate society and culture, past and present, including cultural remains, traditions, beliefs, customs, languages, patterns of subsistence and settlement. For example, their research may focus on cultural beliefs and symbols, kinship and social organization, ethnicity, or the religious, economic, political and legal aspects of a society. Other types of research may involve the use of scientific techniques such as radiometric dating, Geographical Information System (GIS) or Global Positioning System (GPS), residue analysis, stratigraphic mapping (mapping rock layers), and statistical data analysis and interpretation.
Anthropologists may specialize in particular geographic areas of the world, in particular time periods or in populations of a specific region. They also may specialize in any one or more of the following subfields of anthropology:
Some anthropologists work primarily indoors in offices, classrooms and laboratories. Others work outdoors in field environments. When conducting fieldwork, anthropologists may live in tents or in local housing sometimes in remote locations, often working long hours (sometimes alone) for extended periods of time. Fieldwork is usually seasonal and some of the work can be physically demanding.
Anthropologists work closely with researchers in other disciplines such as human anatomy, medicine, biology, geology, geography, chemistry, museum studies, history and sociology. They also may supervise field and laboratory staff and volunteers.
Anthropologists need the following characteristics:
As researchers, anthropologists should enjoy:
Anthropologists have a variety of educational backgrounds. Most begin with a bachelor's degree (BA, B.Sc.) in anthropology or in a related discipline. In addition to courses in anthropology, biological anthropologists require extensive training in human anatomy and biology. Archaeologists should have a solid background in the earth sciences including geology and geography. A second language is an asset if an anthropologist is conducting fieldwork outside their home country.
Specialization in particular areas of anthropology generally requires a master's (MA or M.Sc.) or doctoral (PhD) degree in anthropology. Research and teaching positions at the post-secondary level normally require a doctoral degree.
Admission to graduate programs (MA, M.Sc., PhD) generally requires successful completion of a 4-year bachelor's degree program (preferably in the honour's stream and with completion of an undergraduate research paper called an honour's thesis).
The following schools offer programs or courses that are related to this occupation but are not required to enter the field.
For a broad list of programs and courses that may be related to this occupation try searching using keywords.
Anthropologists may work for:
Individuals who have a bachelor's degree may be employed on a seasonal contract basis. Those who have master's degrees may find employment as teachers in community colleges, or work in government, museums or consulting firms. To pursue independent research in anthropology or teach at the university level, a PhD degree is essential.
To carry out archaeological research in Alberta an Archeological Research Permit from the Government of Alberta is required. To qualify, applicants must have at least a master's degree in anthropology or archaeology, 24 weeks of supervised training in archaeological suveying and excavation techniques and 6 weeks of training in curation or laboratory analysis.
Due to very low employment turnover and a limited number of positions, employment and advancement opportunities are limited. Currently, at the bachelor's and master's degree level, there is a trend toward short-term, contract work rather than long-term employment with a single employer.
Anthropologists employed by universities are involved in teaching as well as field and laboratory research (for more information, see the University Professor occupational profile).
Anthropologists are part of the larger 2011 National Occupational Classification 4169: Other Professional Occupations in Social Science. In Alberta, 79% of people employed in this classification work in the following industries:
The employment outlook in this occupation will be influenced by a wide variety of factors including:
Employment turnover is expected to increase as members of the baby boom generation retire over the next few years.
University professors may earn more than $160,000 a year (2011 estimate).
| Wages* | Low (5th percentile) | High (95th percentile) | Average | Median |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Starting | $0.00 | $0.00 | $33.95 | $36.66 |
| Overall | $0.00 | $0.00 | $46.67 | $45.45 |
| Top | $0.00 | $0.00 | $56.10 | $51.47 |
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* 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.
Lowest Reliability, represents a CV of more than 33.00% and/or if fewer than 10 survey observations and/or if survey observations represent less than 25% of all estimated employment for the occupation.
Canadian Anthropology Society (CASCA) website: www.cas-sca.ca
Canadian Archaeological Association website: www.canadianarchaeology.com
The Canadian Association for Physical Anthropology (CAPA) website: www.capa-acap.net
For more information on career planning, education and jobs, visit the Alberta Learning Information Service (ALIS) website, call the Alberta Career Information Hotline toll-free at 1-800-661-3753 or 780-422-4266 in Edmonton, or visit an Alberta Works Centre near you.
Updated Mar 04, 2016. 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.