What can you do with a Anthropology degree?

First, some facts. Of the Anthropology graduates we've analyzed , here's how many have used (or NOT used) their degree in their career:

These are estimates based on AI analysis of 1063 LinkedIn profiles (see below).

The verdict? Bad. Overall, with an average relevance score of 39%, Anthropology graduates have a substantially lower likelihood (-28%) of finding work in this field compared to the average graduate across all fields:

And for comparison, here's the chart for all profiles we've looked at across all degrees.

Also, after graduating, 45% of these graduates have pursued further education other than another Bachelor's degree (such as a Masters degree or other), compared to the average across all profiles of 35%. This suggests you may need more than just a Bachelors degree to be competitive as a Anthropology graduate.

See the details:

• What jobs can you get with a Anthropology degree?
• What do Anthropology graduates do 1, 5 or 10 years out?
• How hard is a Anthropology degree? How long does it take?
• How much money can you make with a Anthropology degree?
• What are the best colleges for Anthropology?

View a random Anthropology graduate and our analysis:

Any relevance score High relevance score Medium relevance score Low relevance score

Any graduation year 2023 2022 2021 2020 2019 2018 2017 2016 2015 2014 2013 2012 2011 2010

View another random profile

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What jobs can you get with a Anthropology degree?

The top 10 most common jobs done by the graduates we've analyzed (ranked most common to least) are:

• Intern
• Administrative Assistant
• Research Assistant
• Archaeologist
• Field Archaeologist
• Graduate Assistant
• Sales Associate
• Graduate Research Assistant
• Field Technician
• Substitute Teacher

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The career paths taken by graduates with degrees in Anthropology show a wide variety of trajectories, but there are some clear trends in the types of positions occupied and the relevance of these roles to their academic background. Based on an analysis of the LinkedIn profiles listed, we can break down the most common job categories and assess how closely they align with the core principles of Anthropology. Many individuals with degrees in Anthropology have found employment in roles such as educators, counselors, and positions in social services. Education-related roles can include teaching in schools, serving as instructors or tutors, and working in educational programs that emphasize cultural sensitivity and understanding social dynamics. Approximately 20% of the positions documented in the analysis align closely with educational roles, highlighting a significant trend in how anthropology graduates apply their knowledge of cultural contexts, human behaviors, and social systems within educational settings. Furthermore, many of these teaching roles utilize insights from anthropology in formulating lesson plans and fostering a culturally inclusive classroom environment. Social services also represent a significant category of employment for Anthropology graduates, with roles such as community coordinators, outreach specialists, and therapists being prevalent. Positions that involve working directly with communities and understanding their unique challenges are especially relevant to anthropology, which emphasizes empathy and cultural competency. Around 15-20% of the documented jobs fall under social services or community engagement, confirming that many anthropology graduates are actively applying their knowledge to assist diverse populations. Interestingly, while some graduates embark on educational and social service paths, a notable number also find themselves in various corporate roles, including marketing, human resources, and management. These positions often require skills in understanding consumer behavior, cultural dynamics, and communication—aptitudes that are cultivated through an anthropology education. However, the direct applicability of anthropological knowledge in these roles is sometimes tenuous, and they can account for a substantial portion (20-30%) of the jobs mentioned. This indicates that while anthropology graduates may thrive in these environments, the relevance of their degree might not be as pronounced as in educational or social service roles. On the other hand, it's also evident that many anthropology graduates hold positions that have minimal relevance to their studies, such as administrative roles, retail sales, and technical positions that do not engage with cultural or social analysis. Many of these roles, which represent about 25% of the profiles examined, highlight the disconnect that can occur between degree specialization and employment opportunities. To summarize, while many Anthropology graduates actively pursue careers that align well with their field of study—particularly in education and social service sectors—there remains a substantial number who find themselves in corporate or unrelated roles where the direct application of their anthropological training is unclear. The diverse employment landscape reflects both the versatility of an Anthropology degree and the broader economic trends affecting job markets. It's essential for future anthropologists to leverage their unique skills while also being open to various career paths, some of which may fall outside the direct realm of anthropology yet still utilize their foundational knowledge about human societies.

Here is a visual representation of the most common words in job titles for Anthropology graduates:

What kind of career trajectories do Anthropology graduates have? What do they do 1, 5 or 10 years out?

When you look at the diverse career trajectories of anthropology graduates from various universities, a clear picture emerges of how this field translates into the job market. The first jobs these graduates tend to have often lean towards roles that might seem unrelated to anthropology, like administrative positions, teaching assistants, or even bartenders. It’s common to see many graduates taking on roles in education or community-related work, especially in public service or nonprofits, which do connect back to the core principles of anthropology—understanding societies and cultures.

Fast forward five or ten years, and you’ll notice a significant shift for many anthropology graduates. While some remain in seemingly unrelated fields like bartending or retail, others have found their way into more relevant positions. Many of the alumni have landed roles in museums, research assistant positions, and even work as archaeologists, which directly utilize their anthropology training. This shows that while the initial post-graduation jobs are often stepping stones, the skills acquired through an anthropology degree can lead to meaningful and relevant careers in various sectors, particularly in cultural preservation, education, and social services. However, it’s essential to recognize that not all graduates follow this trajectory; some may end up feeling undervalued in roles that don’t quite match the depth of their education. In summary, the transition from early career uncertainty to more definitive anthropology-related roles underscores the versatility and resilience of anthropology graduates in the job market.

How hard is a Anthropology degree?

Honestly, a Bachelor's degree in Anthropology can be a bit of a mixed bag when it comes to difficulty. Many folks find it easier than some other majors because you get to study cool stuff like cultures, societies, and human behavior, which can be really interesting. However, it still requires a lot of reading, writing, and critical thinking, so if you’re not into that, it can feel tough at times. Plus, some of the theoretical concepts can get pretty deep, which might challenge you a bit. Overall, it's probably around average in terms of difficulty, but if you go in with a genuine curiosity and enthusiasm, you'll probably find it to be rewarding and manageable!

How long does it take?

Most commonly, in the LinkedIn profiles we've looked at, it takes people 4 years to finish a Bachelor degree in Anthropology.

Do Anthropology graduates tend to make good money?

Looking at all these anthropology grads, it seems like their paychecks vary a lot depending on where they started and where they ended up. Some have pretty solid careers, especially those who landed in non-profits or schools, like the ones teaching or working in community programs. However, others are in roles that likely don’t pay very much, like bartending or being a server unless they climbed up to manager positions. It's clear that not all anthropology majors snagged lucrative positions right out of the gate, but those who held onto their passion for the field (maybe in research or education) still made a living while doing what they love.

In general, it looks like there's a mix of decent salaries along with some folks who are probably making do with less – like in the service industry or entry-level jobs. Ultimately, for these graduates, it seems that a lot of their financial success depends on how they leveraged their degrees and their connections rather than just the initial salary of their first job. It's a reminder that careers can evolve, but starting off in jobs with lower pay can make it a bit tougher to reach those higher earnings if they don't have a clear path to growth.

What buzzwords do Anthropology graduates use to describe themselves?

Here is a visual representation of the most common words seen in the "about" section of LinkedIn profiles who have a Bachelor degree in Anthropology. This may or may not be useful:

What are the best colleges for Anthropology?

Here are all colleges offering a Bachelor degree in Anthropology (ordered by the average relevance score of their Anthropology graduates, best to worst) where we have analyzed at least 10 of their graduates: