Finds, documents and protects shipwrecks, sunken aircraft and submerged sites, often working as a scientific diver. BLS does not publish separate figures for anthropologists and archeologists; it counts them within anthropologist (SOC 19-3091), whose median pay is $70,770 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Typical entry-level education: Master's degree.
- SOC 19-3091
- Life, Physical, and Social Science
- Last updated October 9, 2026
At a glance
Maritime Archaeologist in four numbers
- Median pay
- $70,770a year, or $34.02/hrBLS OEWS, May 2025Lowest 10% $49KTop 10% $108K
US median, all jobs: $50,980
- Projected growth
- +6.0%Faster than averageBLS EP, 2025–2035This career+6%All jobs+3.5%
Projected employment change, 2025–2035 Item Value This career +6% All jobs +3.5% - Openings a year
- 80010,200 jobs todayBLS EP, 2025–2035
- Jobs in 202510.2K
- Projected 203510.8K
Employment, 2025–2035 Item Value Jobs in 2025 10.2K Projected 2035 10.8K - Typical education
- Master'sneeded to enterBLS EP, 2025–2035; mix: O*NET
- Some college5%
- Associate's5%
- Bachelor's20%
- Master's30%
- Doctorate40%
Highest education held by anthropologists and archeologists Segment Value Some college 5% Associate's 5% Bachelor's 20% Master's 30% Doctorate 40%
Also advertised as: Underwater Archaeologist, Nautical Archaeologist, Marine Archaeologist, Shipwreck Archaeologist, Submerged Cultural Resources Specialist.
Pay
How much do Anthropologists and Archeologists make?
Every maritime archaeologist in the US, by percentile of annual wage
Median
$70,770
Middle half earn $59,400 to $89,670
- 10th
- $49,050
- 25th
- $59,400
- 75th
- $89,670
- 90th
- $108,060
All US occupations: $50,980
| Percentile | Value |
|---|---|
| 10th | $49,050 |
| 25th | $59,400 |
| Median | $70,770 |
| 75th | $89,670 |
| 90th | $108,060 |
| All US occupations | $50,980 |
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025
- Median annual wage
- $70,770
- Median hourly wage
- $34.02/hr
- Mean annual wage
- $75,620
- People employed
- 8,990
Versus all US occupations
At $70,770, Anthropologists and Archeologists earn 39% above the $50,980 median across all US occupations, a difference of $19,790 a year.
Versus life, physical, and social science occupations
Inside the Life, Physical, and Social Science group, where the middle occupation pays $82,220, this is 14% below the group median.
Pay range
The top 10% earn $108,060 or more while the bottom 10% earn $49,050, a gap of 2.2×. That is a typical spread for a US occupation.
Rank in the bank
This median pays more than 45% of the 1,741 occupations in the NueCareer career bank.
Highest-paying state
Massachusetts pays the most at $121,300, and still leads at $114,697 once local prices are taken into account.
Pay by state
Which states pay Anthropologists and Archeologists the most?
State medians come from the same OEWS release as the national figures. The cost-of-living column divides each state median by that state's BEA Regional Price Parity, restating pay in national-average dollars so a high-cost state and a low-cost one can be compared directly.
| State | Median | COL-adjusted | Employed |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1Massachusetts | $121,300 | $114,697 | 80 |
| 2Nebraska | $94,520 | $104,902 | 40 |
| 3Connecticut | $91,420 | $88,235 | N/A |
| 4Alaska | $89,810 | $87,740 | 130 |
| 5Idaho | $88,710 | $92,896 | 170 |
| 6Oregon | $84,970 | $82,207 | 240 |
| 7Hawaii | $84,530 | $76,880 | 210 |
| 8Virginia | $80,230 | $79,354 | 320 |
| 9Pennsylvania | $79,660 | $81,642 | 130 |
| 10Montana | $79,420 | $83,914 | 80 |
Job outlook
Is Maritime Archaeologist a growing career?
Employment change over 2025–2035, against every US occupation
Faster than average. +6.0% projected growth vs 3.5% for all occupations.
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Anthropologists and Archeologists | +6% |
| All US occupations | +3.5% |
Source: BLS EP, 2025–2035
Faster than average
BLS projects employment of Anthropologists and Archeologists to change 6.0% over 2025–2035, against 3.5% projected for all occupations. That is 600 more jobs.
Annual openings
About 800 openings are projected each year, 7.8% of the 10,200 jobs that existed in 2025. Most come from workers leaving the occupation, not from growth alone.
Getting in
How to become a Maritime Archaeologist
Most maritime archaeologists hold a master's degree, and many hold a PhD, from specialized programs such as East Carolina University's Program in Maritime Studies or the Nautical Archaeology Program at Texas A&M University. Coursework covers ship construction, archaeological methods and maritime history.
Diving skills are essential. Many programs train students to scientific diving standards set by the American Academy of Underwater Sciences, and some roles require additional dive certifications or boat handling. The Advisory Council on Underwater Archaeology and the Society for Historical Archaeology support the field. Graduates often begin with contract survey work for offshore energy projects or seasonal positions with state programs.
- 1
Typical entry-level education
Master's degree
- 2
Work experience in a related occupation
None
- 3
Typical on-the-job training
None
- 4
Preparation needed (O*NET job zone)
Considerable preparation
BLS Employment Projections, 2025–2035; job zone from O*NET 31.0 Database.
What education people in the job have
O*NET incumbent survey: the highest level of education reported by people already working as anthropologists and archeologists.
- Doctoral Degree40%
- Master's Degree30%
- Bachelor's Degree20%
- Some College Courses5%
- Associate's Degree or other 2-year degree5%
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Doctoral Degree | 40% |
| Master's Degree | 30% |
| Bachelor's Degree | 20% |
| Some College Courses | 5% |
| Associate's Degree or other 2-year degree | 5% |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
The work
What does a Maritime Archaeologist do?
Maritime archaeologists study human history on and under the water: shipwrecks, sunken aircraft, submerged villages, harbors and lighthouses. They search for sites using side-scan sonar, magnetometers and remotely operated vehicles, then dive to map and photograph them, often building detailed 3D models with photogrammetry.
Much of the work protects sites rather than excavating them. Maritime archaeologists for NOAA's Office of National Marine Sanctuaries, state underwater archaeology programs and the Navy's Underwater Archaeology Branch survey areas before offshore wind farms, cables and dredging projects, and enforce laws such as the Abandoned Shipwreck Act. When artifacts are raised, they work with conservators, since waterlogged objects can be destroyed by drying.
Day-to-day tasks
- Search for submerged sites using sonar and magnetometers
- Dive to map, measure and photograph shipwrecks
- Build 3D site models using photogrammetry
- Survey seabeds before offshore construction and dredging
- Research ship records, charts and historical archives
- Coordinate conservation of waterlogged artifacts
- Write site reports and nominations for protected status
Typical tasks, researched by NueCareer from the sources below.
Working conditions and hours
Maritime archaeologists work on boats, in the water and in offices and conservation labs. Diving in cold, low-visibility or strong-current conditions is physically demanding and depends on weather. Field projects can mean weeks at sea or on remote coasts. Between projects, the work is analysis, mapping and report writing.
Where the work happens
Indoors, climate-controlled
NeverEvery dayOutdoors in all weather
NeverEvery day
Physical demands
Sitting
NeverAlmost all the timeStanding
NeverAlmost all the timeBending or twisting
NeverAlmost all the time
Working with people
Contact with other people
NoneConstantFace-to-face discussions
NeverEvery dayDealing with the public
Not importantExtremely important
Pressure and stakes
Strict deadlines
NeverEvery dayConflict situations
NeverEvery dayCost of a mistake
Not seriousExtremely serious
Autonomy
Freedom to decide
NoneA lotA lot of freedom to make decisions without checking first.
Conditions: O*NET Work Context survey. Each item has its own scale, so each dot is read against the two answers that end its own line.
Core skills
O*NET importance, 1 to 5
- Writing4.3
- Speaking4.3
- Reading Comprehension4.1
- Active Listening4.1
- Critical Thinking4.1
- Active Learning3.9
- Monitoring3.5
- Learning Strategies3.4
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Writing | 4.3 |
| Speaking | 4.3 |
| Reading Comprehension | 4.1 |
| Active Listening | 4.1 |
| Critical Thinking | 4.1 |
| Active Learning | 3.9 |
| Monitoring | 3.5 |
| Learning Strategies | 3.4 |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
Transferable skills
O*NET importance, 1 to 5
- Complex Problem Solving3.8
- Instructing3.3
- Judgment and Decision Making3.3
- Social Perceptiveness3.1
- Coordination3.1
- Systems Analysis3.0
- Time Management3.0
- Management of Personnel Resources3.0
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Complex Problem Solving | 3.8 |
| Instructing | 3.3 |
| Judgment and Decision Making | 3.3 |
| Social Perceptiveness | 3.1 |
| Coordination | 3.1 |
| Systems Analysis | 3.0 |
| Time Management | 3.0 |
| Management of Personnel Resources | 3.0 |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
Tools and software
- Analytical or scientific software · in demand
- Computer aided design CAD software · in demand
- Data base user interface and query software · in demand
- Desktop publishing software · in demand
- Document management software · in demand
- Electronic mail software · in demand
- Geographic information system · in demand
- Graphics or photo imaging software · in demand
- Object or component oriented development software · in demand
- Office suite software · in demand
- Operating system software · in demand
- Presentation software · in demand
“In demand” marks an O*NET Employer-Based Hot Technology, software named in real job postings for this occupation.
Personality fit
What personality type suits a Maritime Archaeologist?
NueCareer estimate (Holland code IRA) built on O*NET's Anthropologist profile, scored 1 to 7
| Axis | Maritime Archaeologist |
|---|---|
| Realistic | 5 |
| Investigative | 7 |
| Artistic | 5 |
| Social | 4 |
| Enterprising | 2 |
| Conventional | 3 |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
What the work is built around
Day to day this is work built around investigating, analysing and solving problems with ideas and data, combined with hands-on, practical work with tools, machines or the outdoors.
- Investigative6.8
- Realistic4.7
- Artistic4.6
- Social3.7
- Conventional3.2
- Enterprising1.6
Closest MBTI types
NueCareer fit scores: cosine similarity between each MBTI type's interest vector and this occupation's O*NET interest profile. Not a BLS or O*NET figure; the method is documented on our methodology page.
Explore further
Careers related to Maritime Archaeologist
O*NET related occupations
- Life, Physical, and Social Science
- Life, Physical, and Social Science
- Life, Physical, and Social Science
- Educational Instruction and Library
Anthropology and Archeology Teacher, Postsecondary
$99,650median a year
Most earn $58K to $171K
+2.6%Doctorate - Life, Physical, and Social Science
- Educational Instruction and Library
Area, Ethnic, and Cultural Studies Teacher, Postsecondary
$85,020median a year
Most earn $52K to $160K
+2.7%Doctorate
More life, physical, and social science careers
Median annual pay, with anthropologists and archeologists highlighted
- Industrial-Organizational Psychologist$193,950
- Physicist$172,250
- Medical Scientist, Except Epidemiologists$103,410
- Chemist$91,240
- Environmental Scientist and Specialist, Including Health$82,220
- Conservation Scientist$73,010
- Maritime Archaeologist$70,770
- Chemical Technician$60,390
- Biological Technician$57,510
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Industrial-Organizational Psychologist | $193,950 |
| Physicist | $172,250 |
| Medical Scientist, Except Epidemiologists | $103,410 |
| Chemist | $91,240 |
| Environmental Scientist and Specialist, Including Health | $82,220 |
| Conservation Scientist | $73,010 |
| Maritime Archaeologist | $70,770 |
| Chemical Technician | $60,390 |
| Biological Technician | $57,510 |
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025
Lists Maritime Archaeologist appears on
Questions
Maritime Archaeologist: frequently asked questions
How much do Anthropologists and Archeologists make?
BLS does not publish a separate wage for anthropologists and archeologists. It counts them within anthropologist, whose median pay is $70,770 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025). The middle half of that occupation earn between $59,400 and $89,670, and the top 10% earn $108,060 or more.
Do you need a degree to become a Maritime Archaeologist?
Yes. BLS reports a master's degree as the typical entry-level education for Anthropologists and Archeologists, and O*NET rates the preparation needed as considerable preparation. In O*NET's survey of people already doing the job, 40.0% hold doctoral degree.
Is Maritime Archaeologist a growing career?
Yes. Employment is projected to grow 6.0% over 2025–2035, faster than the 3.5% average for all occupations (BLS EP, 2025–2035). BLS still projects about 800 openings a year, mostly from workers retiring or moving to other work.
What does a Maritime Archaeologist do?
Maritime archaeologists study human history on and under the water: shipwrecks, sunken aircraft, submerged villages, harbors and lighthouses. A typical task: search for submerged sites using sonar and magnetometers. Employers most often ask for Analytical or scientific software, Computer aided design CAD software, Data base user interface and query software.
Which states pay Anthropologists and Archeologists the most?
The highest state medians for Anthropologists and Archeologists are Massachusetts ($121,300), Nebraska ($94,520), Connecticut ($91,420) (BLS OEWS, May 2025).
What personality type suits a Maritime Archaeologist?
O*NET scores Anthropologists and Archeologists highest on the Investigative, Realistic and Artistic interest areas, so the work mixes investigating, analysing and solving problems with ideas and data with hands-on, practical work with tools, machines or the outdoors. On NueCareer's MBTI-to-interest mapping that lines up most closely with INTP personalities. Personality is a fit signal, not a gate. The free NueCareer quiz scores your own profile against all 1,731 careers in the bank.