Archaeologist Jobs in Texas
Archaeologist jobs in Texas are consistently active, with demand concentrated in cultural resource management, federal and state compliance work, and university-affiliated research, at levels from field technician through principal investigator. Austin, San Antonio, and Houston account for the largest share of openings, anchored by employers such as the Texas Historical Commission, Terracon Consultants, and the University of Texas System, which maintain ongoing archaeology programs across the state. Texas-specific strengths in pre-Columbian and Spanish colonial heritage sites, pipeline and infrastructure corridor surveys, and Section 106 compliance work make CRM expertise and Texas Antiquities Code familiarity the most in-demand specialties. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
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Position Summary: Responsible for scheduling, managing, and conducting Phase I-III fieldwork, lab analysis, and research associated with archaeological projects. Responsible for writing all, or portions of, archaeological reports at the direction of the Senior Archaeologist. The qualified candidate for this position will assist JMT Senior Archaeologists during Phase I-III field work throughout the country, with a focus on Texas and adjacent states.
Preference is for individuals willing to work from or relocate to JMT office locations in Houston, Longview, McKinney, or Tyler, Texas.
Why JMT: Our existing business portfolio provides many opportunities for your personal career trajectory while collaborating with JMT’s growing cultural resources group.
Benefits
JMT offers outstanding opportunities for career and professional growth. We are 100% employee-owned (ESOP) and offer outstanding health care coverage and other benefits, including:
- Affordable Medical, Dental & Vision Insurance
- Company paid Life and Disability Insurance
- Paid Time Off
- Paid Holidays
- Paid Caregiver Leave Program
- 401K Retirement Plan (Traditional and Roth options)
- Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP)
- Career Development Programs
- And more…
Compensation for this position is $70,000 - $80,000/year, commensurate with experience, education and certifications. The provided range is a good faith estimate based on the requirements described within the job description. We notice that we receive a wide variety of applicants and recognize that the person selected may be less experienced or more experienced. If so, the actual salary range may vary from the estimate provided.
After an initial training period, a hybrid work schedule is available.
Essential Functions and Responsibilities
- Conducts archaeological field work to locate and identify archaeological resources
- Conducts archaeological monitoring during construction projects or pre-construction
- Collects data and field samples during archaeological investigations
- Analyzes historic and pre-historic artifacts
- Documents methodologies and findings of research and archaeological investigations
- Takes daily notes of field progress
- Schedules fieldwork based on project schedule
- Instructs field crews on how to use equipment, technology and field methods, as required
- Assists in writing sections of archaeological reports and/or prepare archaeological site forms
- Uses the National Register Criteria for Evaluation to make site eligibility recommendations for the National Register of Historic Places
- Works with technical field, lab and office staff, managers and administrative staff to ensure that projects meet JMT and professional quality standards
- Lead and manage team members by providing leadership and continuous performance management (setting expectations, goals, feedback, 1:1 meeting, coaching) that supports the growth and development of team.
Nonessential Functions and Responsibilities
- Perform other related duties as assigned
Required Skills
- Strong written and oral communication skills
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office Word and Excel
- Must successfully complete and pass JMT's Motor Vehicle screening
- Valid Driver’s License Required
Required Experience
- Master’s Degree from an accredited school in archaeology
- Must meet the Secretary of the Interior’s Qualification Standards for Archaeologists
- 3+ years’ experience in cultural resources management of archaeology projects
- 1+ year of leadership experience
- Demonstrated experience in Phase I-III fieldwork
- Proficiency in ESRI FieldMaps Application or similar applications
- Regional (Texas/Oklahoma/Louisiana) experience in historic and/or prehistoric archaeology
- Must be able to provide a writing sample from either a thesis, dissertation, or archaeological report
Preferred Experience
- Registered Professional Archaeologist
- Familiarity with ArcGISPro, Field Maps, Google Earth, and/or other GIS programs
- Familiarity with Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act and with the Antiquities Code of Texas
- Experience obtaining a Texas Antiquities Permit
- Significant lab and curation experience
Working Conditions
Work is performed in the field 50% of the time and requires the ability to extensively perform bending, kneeling, standing, shoveling, and lifting and carrying objects weighing up to 50 lbs as needed. Field work will require walking and carrying field equipment over typical outdoor terrain. Work may be conducted outside in heat/cold, wet/humid, and dry/arid conditions. Out-of-town travel is expected, requiring driving and/or flying to project locations.
Office work is performed within a general office environment 50% of the time. Office work is generally sedentary in nature but may require occasional standing and walking. Office work is performed with adequate lighting and temperature, with no hazardous or unpleasant conditions caused by noise, dust, etc.
Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, protected veteran status or any other characteristic protected by state or federal law.
Position Summary: Responsible for scheduling, managing, and conducting Phase I-III fieldwork, lab analysis, and research associated with archaeological projects. Responsible for writing all, or portions of, archaeological reports at the direction of the Senior Archaeologist. The qualified candidate for this position will assist JMT Senior Archaeologists during Phase I-III field work throughout the country, with a focus on Texas and adjacent states.
Preference is for individuals willing to work from or relocate to JMT office locations in Houston, Longview, McKinney, or Tyler, Texas.
Why JMT: Our existing business portfolio provides many opportunities for your personal career trajectory while collaborating with JMT’s growing cultural resources group.
Benefits
JMT offers outstanding opportunities for career and professional growth. We are 100% employee-owned (ESOP) and offer outstanding health care coverage and other benefits, including:
- Affordable Medical, Dental & Vision Insurance
- Company paid Life and Disability Insurance
- Paid Time Off
- Paid Holidays
- Paid Caregiver Leave Program
- 401K Retirement Plan (Traditional and Roth options)
- Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP)
- Career Development Programs
- And more…
Compensation for this position is $70,000 - $80,000/year, commensurate with experience, education and certifications. The provided range is a good faith estimate based on the requirements described within the job description. We notice that we receive a wide variety of applicants and recognize that the person selected may be less experienced or more experienced. If so, the actual salary range may vary from the estimate provided.
After an initial training period, a hybrid work schedule is available.
Essential Functions and Responsibilities
- Conducts archaeological field work to locate and identify archaeological resources
- Conducts archaeological monitoring during construction projects or pre-construction
- Collects data and field samples during archaeological investigations
- Analyzes historic and pre-historic artifacts
- Documents methodologies and findings of research and archaeological investigations
- Takes daily notes of field progress
- Schedules fieldwork based on project schedule
- Instructs field crews on how to use equipment, technology and field methods, as required
- Assists in writing sections of archaeological reports and/or prepare archaeological site forms
- Uses the National Register Criteria for Evaluation to make site eligibility recommendations for the National Register of Historic Places
- Works with technical field, lab and office staff, managers and administrative staff to ensure that projects meet JMT and professional quality standards
- Lead and manage team members by providing leadership and continuous performance management (setting expectations, goals, feedback, 1:1 meeting, coaching) that supports the growth and development of team.
Nonessential Functions and Responsibilities
- Perform other related duties as assigned
Required Skills
- Strong written and oral communication skills
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office Word and Excel
- Must successfully complete and pass JMT's Motor Vehicle screening
- Valid Driver’s License Required
Required Experience
- Master’s Degree from an accredited school in archaeology
- Must meet the Secretary of the Interior’s Qualification Standards for Archaeologists
- 3+ years’ experience in cultural resources management of archaeology projects
- 1+ year of leadership experience
- Demonstrated experience in Phase I-III fieldwork
- Proficiency in ESRI FieldMaps Application or similar applications
- Regional (Texas/Oklahoma/Louisiana) experience in historic and/or prehistoric archaeology
- Must be able to provide a writing sample from either a thesis, dissertation, or archaeological report
Preferred Experience
- Registered Professional Archaeologist
- Familiarity with ArcGISPro, Field Maps, Google Earth, and/or other GIS programs
- Familiarity with Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act and with the Antiquities Code of Texas
- Experience obtaining a Texas Antiquities Permit
- Significant lab and curation experience
Working Conditions
Work is performed in the field 50% of the time and requires the ability to extensively perform bending, kneeling, standing, shoveling, and lifting and carrying objects weighing up to 50 lbs as needed. Field work will require walking and carrying field equipment over typical outdoor terrain. Work may be conducted outside in heat/cold, wet/humid, and dry/arid conditions. Out-of-town travel is expected, requiring driving and/or flying to project locations.
Office work is performed within a general office environment 50% of the time. Office work is generally sedentary in nature but may require occasional standing and walking. Office work is performed with adequate lighting and temperature, with no hazardous or unpleasant conditions caused by noise, dust, etc.
Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, protected veteran status or any other characteristic protected by state or federal law.
See All 15 Archaeologist Jobs in Texas
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Find Archaeologist JobsArchaeologist Jobs by City in Texas
Where Texas roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Archaeologist Job Market in Texas
A snapshot from current Texas openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
- Johnson, Mirmiran & Thompson4
- Freese and Nichols3
- Terracon Consultants2
- HDR1
- Langan Engineering and Environmental Services1
Top Industries Hiring
- Consulting & Professional Services14
What Texas Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in archaeologist jobs across Texas.
- Bachelor's degree in archaeology, anthropology, or closely related field required
- Familiarity with the Texas Antiquities Code and Texas Historical Commission permitting
- Field experience with shovel testing, excavation, and site recording in Texas or the Southwest
- Proficiency in GIS software such as ArcGIS for mapping and spatial analysis
- Knowledge of Section 106 National Historic Preservation Act compliance processes
- Valid driver's license and ability to work in remote outdoor Texas environments
Archaeologist Jobs in Texas: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a archaeologist in Texas?
Texas does not issue a state license for archaeologists, but working on state-owned or state-permitted sites requires compliance with the Texas Antiquities Code, administered by the Texas Historical Commission. Most employers require at minimum a bachelor's degree in archaeology or anthropology, and project leadership roles typically require a master's degree. Obtaining a Texas Antiquities Permit qualification and meeting the Secretary of the Interior's Professional Qualifications Standards are the practical credentials that open doors with CRM firms and state agencies.
How much do archaeologists make in Texas?
Archaeologists in Texas earn a median of about $67,700 a year, based on May 2025 Bureau of Labor Statistics wage data, ranging from around $57,340 for the lowest 10% to over $109,270 for the top 10%. Pay rises with experience, specialty, and employer.
Which companies hire archaeologists in Texas?
Employers hiring archaeologists in Texas right now include Johnson, Mirmiran & Thompson, Freese and Nichols, and Terracon Consultants, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of June 2026. Texas's active pipeline, highway, and energy infrastructure sectors mean CRM firms and engineering consultancies with Texas offices post openings on a rolling basis throughout the year.
Which Texas cities have the most archaeologist jobs?
Fort Worth, Houston, and San Antonio have the most archaeologist openings in Texas. Austin leads because the Texas Historical Commission headquarters there and the University of Texas System drive steady public-sector and academic demand, while San Antonio's deep Spanish colonial heritage and active federal installations, and Houston's large-scale energy and infrastructure corridor projects, sustain strong private-sector CRM activity in those metros.
Are there remote archaeologist jobs in Texas?
Yes, but they're rare. Archaeology is fundamentally a field-based discipline, so most roles require on-site presence for surveys, excavations, and site documentation. About 53% of archaeologist openings tied to Texas are remote or hybrid as of June 2026, and those positions tend to concentrate in report writing, GIS analysis, data management, or grant administration rather than active fieldwork.
How can I get hired as a archaeologist in Texas with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is field technician work with a Texas-based cultural resource management firm, where no prior professional experience is required beyond a relevant degree or active enrollment in an anthropology or archaeology program. CRM companies operating throughout Texas, including those supporting the oil and gas corridor and TxDOT highway projects, regularly hire entry-level field techs for survey seasons. Completing a field school, building a basic site-recording portfolio, and familiarizing yourself with the Texas Antiquities Code give candidates a concrete edge over other applicants at the same experience level.
Where can I find and apply to archaeologist jobs in Texas?
You can find and apply to archaeologist jobs in Texas on Migrate Mate, which lists current Texas openings across CRM firms, state agencies, universities, and private-sector employers. Search the available roles, identify the ones that match your experience and specialty, and apply directly to each posting.
See All 15 Archaeologist Jobs in Texas
Find roles in Texas that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
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