Understanding Archaeologist Salary in the UK

Archaeologist pay in the UK varies significantly by role, seniority, and location. Whether you are considering a career in commercial archaeology, working for a local authority, or moving into consultancy, knowing the typical salary ranges helps you negotiate and plan. This article draws on the latest publicly available data from the Chartered Institute for Archaeologists (CIfA), the British Archaeological Jobs Resource (BAJR), and the Profiling the Profession survey to give you a clear picture of what you can expect.

How Archaeologist Salary Is Reported

There are two main ways to look at archaeologist salary: advertised starting salaries and actual earnings from surveys. CIfA publishes annual salary benchmarking reports based on job adverts, which show the minimum and maximum salaries offered and the average (mean) of the minimum values. These are starting salaries, not what people already in post earn. In contrast, the Profiling the Profession survey collects income data directly from archaeologists, including self-employed workers and second jobs, giving a more complete picture of take-home pay.

For the financial year 2024-25, CIfA reported the following average advertised starting salaries for common roles:

• Graduate trainee: £24,141
• Archaeological technician: £25,655
• Supervisor: £27,428
• Project officer: £28,033
• Consultant: £28,778

These figures are based on a 37-hour week (or 37.5 in some cases) and exclude London weighting. The BAJR Pay and Conditions for 2025/2026 recommends a minimum of £25,800 for early-career field archaeologists (Grade G2) and £29,858 for technical workers or full supervisors.

Actual Earnings: What Archaeologists Take Home

The Profiling the Profession survey (most recent data from 2022-23) gives a different perspective. The average annual income reported by archaeologists was £30,183, with a median of £28,500. When normalised to a 37.5-hour week, the average rose to £32,910 and the median to £30,405. This suggests that many archaeologists work more than their contracted hours or have additional income from second jobs. The survey also found that over 80% of archaeologists earn between £20,000 and £40,000 per year.

It is important to note that the ONS Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings (ASHE) uses a different methodology, excluding many self-employed people and capturing only one job per person. Direct comparisons between archaeology survey data and national averages should therefore be made with caution.

Hourly to Annual Conversion for Archaeology Roles

Most archaeology jobs are advertised with an annual salary, but understanding the hourly equivalent is useful for comparing with other roles or the National Living Wage. The standard working week in archaeology is typically 37.5 hours (BAJR recommends an average of 37.5 hours). To convert an hourly rate to an annual salary, use the formula:

Annual salary ≈ hourly rate × 37.5 hours per week × 52 weeks

For example:

• National Living Wage (21+) 2026/27: £12.71 per hour = £24,784.50 per year
• £14 per hour = £27,300 per year
• £16 per hour = £31,200 per year
• £18 per hour = £35,100 per year
• £20 per hour = £39,000 per year

Many early-career archaeology roles start near the National Living Wage, while experienced supervisors and project officers earn between £14 and £18 per hour. Senior consultants or managers may earn £20 per hour or more.

Regional and Seniority Differences

Archaeologist salary also depends on where you work. London weighting can add a few thousand pounds to the base salary, but not all adverts specify this. The CIfA data notes that some posts may include London weighting, but it is not always reflected in the advertised figures. BAJR recommends that London weighting be added to the minimum rates.

Seniority is the biggest factor. The CIfA grades show a clear progression:

• Pre-Practitioner (entry level): average advertised starting salary £24,140
• Practitioner: £24,677
• Associate: £29,648
• Member: £32,555

These are starting salaries for roles assessed at each competence level. Actual earnings for experienced professionals are often higher, as shown by the Profiling the Profession median of £30,405 (normalised).

Comparing Archaeologist Salary with National Benchmarks

The UK median full-time gross annual pay is around £39,039 (2026/27), equivalent to about £20.02 per hour at 37.5 hours. Many archaeology roles fall below this median, especially at entry level. However, senior archaeologists and specialists can exceed the national median. The National Living Wage for ages 21+ in 2026/27 is £12.71 per hour (£24,784.50 annually), which is close to the starting salary for graduate trainees.

It is also worth noting that the Real Living Wage (voluntary rate) is higher than the statutory National Living Wage. In 2023 the UK Real Living Wage was £23,088 for a 37.5-hour week, and the London rate was higher. CIfA’s benchmarking shows that many advertised archaeology salaries are below the Real Living Wage, which is a concern for the sector.

Using Our Tools to Calculate Your Pay

If you are offered an hourly rate or an annual salary for an archaeology job, you can use our Hourly to Salary converter to see the equivalent. For more detailed comparisons with other professions, visit our salary data page. You can also explore topics related to UK pay benchmarks.

Summary

Archaeologist salary in the UK ranges from around £24,000 for entry-level roles to over £32,000 for experienced professionals, with median actual earnings around £28,500 to £30,400. London weighting and seniority can increase pay significantly. When comparing offers, remember that advertised starting salaries are often the minimum, and actual earnings may be higher once you are in post. Always check your contract for contracted hours, overtime arrangements, and any location allowances.