Anthropologists and Archeologists
Machines can already do 36% of this job's tasks. By 2035 that rises to 65%. The job changes before it disappears.
Share of the work machines can do
Worldwide baseline, 2026 to 2050
Anthropologists and Archeologists in 2026: the short answer
- Today: machines can do 36% of this job's tasks, and AI use is already seen in 14% of them.
- Forecast: machines can do half of its tasks by 2031, and 65% by 2035, according to the 311 Strategic Intelligence Unit.
- Size: 8,990 people do this job in the United States, on a median pay of $70,770 a year.
- Contact with people: it scores 66% for contact with people.
- Also called: American Indian Policy Specialist, Applied Anthropologist, Applied Cultural Anthropologist, Archaeologist.
Updated by the 311 Strategic Intelligence Unit. These are worldwide baseline figures; the Workforce Starburst shows them for your country. Go deeper: How ready am I? or an executive briefing.
How the work changes, task by task
The tasks that take up most of the day, with the share of each that machines can do in 2026 (dark) and 2035 (pink). Worldwide baseline.
| Task | Share of the day | Machines can do | 2026 to 2035 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Write about and present research findings for a variety of specialized and general audiences | 15% | 78% to 97% | |
| Research, survey, or assess sites of past societies and cultures in search of answers to specific research questions | 10% | 3% to 30% | |
| Collect information and make judgments through observation, interviews, and review of documents | 5% | 55% to 85% | |
| Assess archeological sites for resource management, development, or conservation purposes and recommend methods for site protection | 5% | 30% to 75% | |
| Teach or mentor undergraduate and graduate students in anthropology or archeology | 4% | 25% to 55% | |
| Plan and direct research to characterize and compare the economic, demographic, health care, social, political, linguistic, and religious institutions of distinct cultural groups, communities, and organizations | 4% | 22% to 48% | |
| Write grant proposals to obtain funding for research | 4% | 70% to 95% | |
| Advise government agencies, private organizations, and communities regarding proposed programs, plans, and policies and their potential impacts on cultural institutions, organizations, and communities | 4% | 35% to 65% |
The skills this job runs on
The skills anthropologists and archeologists use most, most used first.
Safer jobs nearby
Jobs with a similar skill shape where machines can do less of the work by 2035.
- Area, Ethnic, and Cultural Studies Teachers, Postsecondary64% of tasks by 2035 · US median $85,020
- Anthropology and Archeology Teachers, Postsecondary54% of tasks by 2035 · US median $99,650
- Art, Drama, and Music Teachers, Postsecondary54% of tasks by 2035 · US median $78,620
- Political Science Teachers, Postsecondary64% of tasks by 2035 · US median $98,070
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Questions
When will machines do half of the tasks of Anthropologists and Archeologists?
Machines can do half of its tasks by 2031. That is the worldwide baseline from the 311 Workforce Starburst, before adjusting for country.
Will AI take the job of anthropologists and archeologists?
Machines can do 36% of the tasks of anthropologists and archeologists today and 65% by 2035. The job changes before it disappears: the routine tasks move first.
Sources and citing
Tasks and their share of the day: O*NET 31.0, occupation 19-3091.00 (US Department of Labor, CC BY 4.0). Pay and jobs: US Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. AI use today: Anthropic Economic Index (CC BY). Scoring and forecast: the 311 Strategic Intelligence Unit; after 2035 the figures extend each trend, with lower confidence. Foresight, not advice.
Cite as: 311 Institute (2026). Anthropologists and Archeologists: the outlook to 2050. 311 Workforce Starburst. https://www.311institute.com/jobs/anthropologists-and-archeologists/