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Archaeologist

Archaeologists are the detectives of the past, piecing together the stories of human history through the study of artifacts, structures, and cultural landscapes. Their work is vital for understanding our heritage and informing contemporary society about the evolution of human civilization, making it a globally significant and enriching career.

Archaeologist

25

History and Philosophy

AI IMPACT
AI CAN DO25%moving to57%
THE DOOR, NOWB
THE DOOR, 20 YRSC
STARTING PAY£22,000 - £28,000
RELATIONAL MOATPeople want a real person for this. That preference is the protection.
This job holds up well against AI
AI cannot yet do much of what this job actually involves, and people want a real person for this. That preference is the protection. That is about as safe as careers get right now, though it is still worth learning to use the tools well.

Career progression path

Is this the only route?

This is the standard academic trajectory, but modern careers are highly flexible. You can often skip stagesby entering the industry with an advanced qualification (like a Master's or PhD), or pivot sideways from a related discipline.

0ACADEMIC FOUNDATIONUniversity DegreeUsually 3 to 4 years of full-time academic study, explicitly preparing you for the theoretical realities of the industry. Requires A-Levels, BTECs, or equivalent Level 3.-£86,550Avg. UK tuition & living
1FIRST STEPJunior ArchaeologistAs a Junior Archaeologist, you will assist in fieldwork and data collection, gaining hands-on experience while working under the supervision of senior archaeologists.£22,000 - £28,000
2GAINING EXPERIENCEMid-Level ArchaeologistIn this role, you will lead excavation projects, manage teams, and take on more complex research tasks, contributing significantly to archaeological studies.£30,000 - £40,000
3PEAK CAREERSenior ArchaeologistAs a Senior Archaeologist, you will oversee major projects, mentor junior staff, and represent your organisation in academic and public forums, shaping the future of archaeological research.£50,000+

Recommended UK degrees

Real courses that qualify you for this career, from the same register that priced the degree above.

Medieval HistoryUniversity of Winchester · DegreeDoctorate in Pastoral Studies/CounselingFaith Baptist Bible College and Theological Seminary · DoctorateBachelor's degree in Youth MinistrySoutheastern Baptist Theological Seminary · BachelorBachelor's degree in Christian StudiesBethel University · BachelorClassics and ItalianUniversity of St Andrews · DegreeBachelor's degree in PhilosophyArizona State University Campus Immersion · Bachelor
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AI EXPOSURE = the share of a job's day-to-day tasks AI can already do today, from the same exposure engine used across this site (Anthropic labour market research, 2026, observed real-world AI usage by occupation). Higher means more exposed. It is a measurement of now, not a prediction. THE DOOR = how hard the job is to get into, grade A (easy) to E (extremely hard), from each career's published forecast (OpenAI, "The AI Jobs Transition Framework", Richmond 2026, CC BY 4.0). A card marked MOAT NOT YET CLASSIFIED has a real exposure score but no entry yet in our moat register, so we make no claim about what structurally protects it. Scorecard grades and verdicts are Careermash editorial judgment: we show forecasts as forecasts and own our conclusions. Salary and pathway figures are each career's own published profile. Careermash is a service provided by What School Ltd.

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