How Much Does a Forensic Anthropologist Make? Salary by State
Median annual salary (U.S.)
$70,770
Forensic anthropologists in the U.S. earn a median of $70,770 a year, or $34.02 an hour. Half of forensic anthropologists earn more than $70,770 and half earn less. The top 10% make more than $108,060.
Pay percentiles for forensic anthropologists
| Percentile | Hourly | Annual |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $23.58 | $49,050 |
| 25th | $28.56 | $59,400 |
| 50th (median) | $34.02 | $70,770 |
| 75th | $43.11 | $89,670 |
| 90th | $51.95 | $108,060 |
U.S. wages, May 2025. BLS occupation: Anthropologists and Archeologists (SOC 19-3091). Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)
Highest-paying states for forensic anthropologists
| State | Median annual | Median hourly | vs. U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Massachusetts | $121,300 | $58.32 | +71% |
| Nebraska | $94,520 | $45.44 | +34% |
| Connecticut | $91,420 | $43.95 | +29% |
| Alaska | $89,810 | $43.18 | +27% |
| Idaho | $88,710 | $42.65 | +25% |
| Oregon | $84,970 | $40.85 | +20% |
| Hawaii | $84,530 | $40.64 | +19% |
| Virginia | $80,230 | $38.57 | +13% |
| Pennsylvania | $79,660 | $38.30 | +13% |
| Montana | $79,420 | $38.18 | +12% |
| United States | $70,770 | $34.02 | — |
Top 10 states by median annual wage, May 2025. Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)
How many forensic anthropologists are there?
BLS counts about 8,990 forensic anthropologists employed in the U.S. (May 2025, excluding the self-employed). These figures cover the BLS occupation “Anthropologists and Archeologists”. The most jobs are in California (2,060), Florida (620) and Arizona (500).
The mean (average) annual wage is $75,620, higher than the median of $70,770.
Hourly to annual pay calculator
Per year
- Monthly
- $5,898
- Biweekly
- $2,722
- Weekly
- $1,361
- Daily (8 hours)
- $272
- Hours per year
- 2,080
BLS annual figure; hourly × 2,080 may differ slightly.
Frequently asked questions
How much do forensic anthropologists make an hour?
The median hourly wage for forensic anthropologists is $34.02. The middle 50% earn between $28.56 and $43.11 an hour.
Which state pays forensic anthropologists the most?
Massachusetts has the highest median wage for forensic anthropologists at $121,300, +71% vs. the U.S. median.
What is the starting salary for forensic anthropologists?
BLS does not report pay by experience, but the lowest-paid 10% of forensic anthropologists earn less than $49,050 a year, a common proxy for entry-level pay.