Archaeologist/Principal Investigator Salary in the United States

How much does an Archaeologist/Principal Investigator make in the United States?

As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for an Archaeologist/Principal Investigator in the United States is $114,681 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $55.

However, an Archaeologist/Principal Investigator's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $134,110
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $106,206 to $124,851
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $98,490
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View as table View as graph 25% $106,206 10% $98,490 90% $134,110 75% $124,851 $114,681 50%(Median) Didn’t find job title? Click

Archaeologist/Principal Investigator Salaries by Percentile

Annual
Salary
Monthly
Pay
Weekly
Pay
Hourly
Wage
75th Percentile $124,851 $10,404 $2,401 $60
Average $114,681 $9,557 $2,205 $55
25th Percentile $106,206 $8,851 $2,042 $51
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Key Factors That Influence Archaeologist/Principal Investigator Salaries

An Archaeologist/Principal Investigator's salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how your years of experience, geographic location, education and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Experience Level Affects Archaeologist/Principal Investigator Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of an Archaeologist/Principal Investigator's salary. As you build your skills and take on more complex tasks, your compensation generally increases. Here’s how the average salary grows at different career stages:

  • Entry-Level (less than 1 year): $125,168
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $159,121
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $112,562
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $133,386
  • Expert (over 8 years): $155,130
Levels Salary
Risk Anal... Level Archaeologist/Principal Investigator$125,168
Risk Anal... Level Archaeologist/Principal Investigator$159,121
Archaeolo... Level Archaeologist/Principal Investigator$112,562
Risk Mana... Level Archaeologist/Principal Investigator$133,386
Senior Ri... Level Archaeologist/Principal Investigator$155,130
$125,168 0 yr
$159,121 < 2 yrs
$112,562 2-4 yrs
$133,386 5-8 yrs
$155,130 > 8 yrs
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What Am I Worth?

How Do Archaeologist/Principal Investigator Salaries Vary from State to State?

Your salary can change significantly depending on where you work. States with a higher cost of living and strong industrial sectors often pay more to attract Archaeologist/Principal Investigators. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:

  • District of Columbia: $126,975.
  • California: $126,493.
  • Massachusetts: $124,807.

Top Paying Cities for Archaeologist/Principal Investigators

Salaries can also vary between different cities. Major metropolitan areas or cities with a high demand for technicians often offer more competitive pay. Here are a few examples of average annual salaries in different U.S. cities:

  • San Jose: $144,647
  • San Francisco: $143,063
  • Oakland: $140,048

What Skills Can Increase an Archaeologist/Principal Investigator's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Risk Management (Mentioned in 18.81% Job Postings): Risk management is the identification, evaluation, and prioritization of risks (defined in ISO 31000 as the effect of uncertainty on objectives) followed by coordinated and economical application of resources to minimize, monitor, and control the probability or impact of unfortunate events or to maximize the realization of opportunities. Risks can come from various sources including uncertainty in financial markets, threats from project failures (at any phase in design, development, production, or sustainment life-cycles), legal liabilities, credit risk, accidents, natural causes and disasters, deliberate attack from an adversary, or events of uncertain or unpredictable root-cause. There are two types of events i.e. negative events can be classified as risks while positive events are classified as opportunities. Several risk management standards have been developed including the Project Management Institute, the National Institute of Standards and Technology, actuarial societies, and ISO standards. Methods, definitions and goals vary widely according to whether the risk management method is in the context of project management, security, engineering, industrial processes, financial portfolios, actuarial assessments, or public health and safety.
  • Economics (Mentioned in 2.13% Job Postings): Economics is a social science that focuses on the production, distribution, and consumption of goods and services, and analyzes the choices that individuals, businesses, governments, and nations make to allocate resources.
  • Consulting Services (Mentioned in 1.28% Job Postings): Consulting Services means the provision of expertise or strategic advice that is presented for consideration and decision-making.
See More Skills
Skills Demand Percentage
Risk Management 18.81%
Economics 2.13%
Consulting Services 1.28%
What skills can make your compensation higher?
Mastering certain specialized skills can lead to a significant increase in pay. Here are examples of skills and the potential impact they can have on an Archaeologist/Principal Investigator's salary.
  • Process Improvement: Can increase your salary by up to 8%.
  • Building Relationships: Can increase your salary by up to 6%.
  • Financial Services: Can increase your salary by up to 5%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Process Improvement
$123,855
8%
Building Relationships
$121,562
6%
Financial Services
$120,415
5%
Communicates Effectively
$119,268
4%
Collaboration
$119,268
4%
Leadership
$119,268
4%
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Archaeologist/Principal Investigator Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Archaeologist/Principal Investigator roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 40% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Aerospace & Defense and Business Services sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 20% above the average. In contrast, Archaeologist/Principal Investigator positions in Transportation or Software & Networking typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Archaeologist/Principal Investigator as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for an Archaeologist/Principal Investigator

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Aerospace & Defense$137,617$66.020%
Business Services$137,617$66.020%
Construction$137,617$66.020%
Energy & Utilities$137,617$66.020%
Healthcare$137,617$66.020%

How Education impacts an Archaeologist/Principal Investigator's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Archaeologist/Principal Investigators enter the field with a Associate's Degree degree, higher education can lead to more specialized and higher-paying roles.

According to our 100% employer-reported salary data, the median salary for an Archaeologist/Principal Investigator with a Associate's Degree is between $104,470 and $112,797).

Archaeologist/Principal Investigator Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Archaeologist/Principal Investigator
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 9.7%
High School 9.7%
Associates 41.9%
Bachelors 41.9%
Masters 41.9%
Doctorate 6.5%
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Archaeologist/Principal Investigator Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how an Archaeologist/Principal Investigator's annual salary breaks down can help with budgeting. Below, you can see the average hourly rate, weekly pay, and monthly pay for this role. Use the buttons to switch between different pay periods.

Last Updated on August 01, 2026

Salary Trends for Archaeologist/Principal Investigator

Salaries for an Archaeologist/Principal Investigator can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary increased from $103,720 in 2023 to around $105,346 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of Archaeologist/Principal Investigator salary trends, .

Average Annual Salary of Archaeologist/Principal Investigator Over Time

2022
$???
2023
$103,720
2024
$106,505
2025
$105,346
2026
$???
2027
$???
Year Average Annual Salary
2022
View More
2023 $103,720
2024 $106,505
2025 $105,346
2026
View More
2027
View More

Most common benefits for Archaeologist/Principal Investigator

Social Security
401(k)
Disability
Healthcare
Pension
Time Off (days)
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Common company salaries for Archaeologist/Principal Investigator

Here are companies hiring for Archaeologist/Principal Investigator and their salaries, click below for more details.

Find Your Next Archaeologist/Principal Investigator Job

Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Archaeologist/Principal Investigator job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.

United States
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    Columbus, OH

    MD Staff, LLC | Columbus, OH

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    Columbus, OH

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    Columbus, OH

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    Columbus, OH

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    Columbus, OH

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FAQ about Archaeologist/Principal Investigator

1. What industry pays the highest salary for Archaeologist/Principal Investigator?

The Aerospace & Defense industry offers the highest average compensation for Archaeologist/Principal Investigator roles, with salaries approximately 20% above the market median.

Where Does Our Salary Data Come From?

Salary.com provides salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons using data from employer job postings and third-party sources.

We offer detailed salary information across multiple percentiles for your reference. (Click here to learn Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial for Achieving Pay Equity.)

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