Archaeologist Jobs in California

Archaeologist jobs in California are among the most active in the country, concentrated in cultural resource management, state and federal agency work, and university research, with openings at every level from field technician to principal investigator. The highest concentrations of hiring are in Los Angeles, Sacramento, and the San Francisco Bay Area, where firms like AECOM, Rincon Consultants, and the California Department of Transportation maintain long-term archaeological programs. The most in-demand specialties are cultural resource management compliance, Native American consultation, and historical archaeology tied to California's infrastructure and development pipeline. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.

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Overview

Open roles26+
Top employerStantec
Top cityLos Angeles, CA
Cities hiring15
Work type85% On-site
Top industryConsulting

Showing 5 of 26+ Archaeologist jobs

Langan Engineering and Environmental Services
Archaeologist
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Langan Engineering and Environmental Services
Added 2w ago
Archaeologist
Langan Engineering and Environmental Services
San Francisco, California
Project & Program Management
Human Resources
Consulting & Professional Services
$43 - $63/hr
On-Site
Bachelor's
1,001-5,000

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ICF
Archaeologist
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ICF
Added 2mo ago
Archaeologist
ICF
Sacramento, California
$61k - $104k/yr
Hybrid
Master's
5,001-10,000

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Stantec
Archaeologist
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Stantec
Added 4mo ago
Archaeologist
Stantec
Walnut Creek, California
$79k - $115k/yr
On-Site
Master's

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Stantec
Archaeologist
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Stantec
Added 8mo ago
Archaeologist
Stantec
Los Angeles, California
On-Site
Bachelor's

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Stantec
Archaeologist
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Stantec
Added 8mo ago
Archaeologist
Stantec
San Diego, California
On-Site
Bachelor's

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See All 26 Archaeologist Jobs in California

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Archaeologist Jobs by City in California

Where California roles are concentrated, by current openings.

Los Angeles
4 jobs
Irvine
3 jobs
Sacramento
3 jobs
Bakersfield
2 jobs
San Diego
2 jobs
San Jose
2 jobs
Santa Barbara
2 jobs
Monrovia
1 jobs
Pasadena
1 jobs

Archaeologist Job Market in California

A snapshot from current California openings, updated as new roles post.

Who's Hiring

  • Stantec
    Stantec12
  • ICF
    ICF3
  • Langan Engineering and Environmental Services
    Langan Engineering and Environmental Services3
  • Arcadis
    Arcadis2
  • TRC Companies
    TRC Companies2

Top Industries Hiring

  • Consulting & Professional Services22
  • Construction & Real Estate14
  • Technology & Software2

What California Employers Look For

The qualifications that appear most often in archaeologist jobs across California.

  • Bachelor's degree in anthropology, archaeology, or a closely related field required
  • Demonstrated field experience meeting Secretary of the Interior's Professional Qualification Standards
  • Familiarity with California Environmental Quality Act and Section 106 compliance processes
  • Experience conducting archaeological surveys, monitoring, and excavation in California contexts
  • Strong technical writing skills for site records, reports, and agency correspondence
  • Knowledge of California Native American tribal consultation protocols and NAGPRA requirements

Archaeologist Jobs in California: Frequently Asked Questions

How do you become a archaeologist in California?

California does not issue a state license for archaeologists, but most professional positions require meeting the Secretary of the Interior's Professional Qualification Standards, which call for a graduate degree in archaeology or anthropology plus documented field experience. Many California employers and state agencies require familiarity with the California Environmental Quality Act process. Registering with the Register of Professional Archaeologists strengthens a candidate's standing considerably in this market.

How much do archaeologists make in California?

Archaeologists in California earn a median of about $72,240 a year, based on May 2025 Bureau of Labor Statistics wage data, ranging from around $55,140 for the lowest 10% to over $104,770 for the top 10%. Pay rises with experience, specialty, and employer.

Which companies hire archaeologists in California?

Employers hiring archaeologists in California right now include Stantec, ICF, and Langan Engineering and Environmental Services, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of June 2026. California's large infrastructure, energy, and development sectors drive consistent demand at both large environmental consulting firms and specialized cultural resource management companies operating across the state.

Which California cities have the most archaeologist jobs?

The cities with the most archaeologist openings in California are Los Angeles, Irvine, and Sacramento. Los Angeles and Sacramento generate heavy demand through transportation and public works projects, while the Bay Area supports openings tied to technology campus expansions, regional transit projects, and proximity to major consulting firm offices that serve clients statewide.

Are there remote archaeologist jobs in California?

Yes, but they're rare. About 15% of archaeologist openings tied to California are remote or hybrid as of June 2026, reflecting the fundamentally field-based nature of the work. The tasks most likely to be performed remotely are report writing, archival research, GIS mapping, and agency correspondence rather than fieldwork or site monitoring.

How can I get hired as a archaeologist in California with little or no experience?

The most realistic entry path is securing a field technician or archaeological monitor position with a cultural resource management firm, which typically requires only a bachelor's degree and any hands-on fieldwork from coursework or volunteer projects. Large California CRM employers regularly bring on entry-level monitors for construction projects governed by the California Environmental Quality Act. Pursuing fieldwork through California university anthropology departments or tribal historic preservation offices also builds the documented hours that move a resume forward.

Where can I find and apply to archaeologist jobs in California?

You can find and apply to archaeologist jobs in California on Migrate Mate, which lists current California openings updated regularly. Find roles that fit your experience and specialty and apply directly to the employers posting them.

See All 26 Archaeologist Jobs in California

Find roles in California that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.

Find Archaeologist Jobs