Archaeologist Jobs in USA with Visa Sponsorship
Archaeologist roles requiring H-1B sponsorship typically demand specialized education in archaeology, anthropology, or related fields. Federal agencies, research institutions, and cultural resource management firms sponsor qualified candidates, though positions often require specific certifications and fieldwork experience beyond the standard degree requirement. For detailed occupation requirements, see the O*NET profile.
See All Archaeologist JobsOverview
Showing 5 of 133+ archaeologist jobs
Have you applied for this role?
Have you applied for this role?
Have you applied for this role?
Have you applied for this role?
Have you applied for this role?
See all 133+ Archaeologist jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new Archaeologist roles.
Get Access To All JobsINTRODUCTION
At Jacobs, we're challenging today to reinvent tomorrow by solving the world's most critical problems for thriving cities, resilient environments, mission-critical outcomes, operational advancement, scientific discovery and cutting-edge manufacturing, turning abstract ideas into realities that transform the world for good.
ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Jacobs is seeking Staff Archaeologists to support a variety of projects across Arizona, Nevada, Colorado, Wyoming and other western geographies. This position provides cultural resources support for planning, engineering, and construction services to commercial clients. Depending on candidate and organization needs, we offer flexible hours and benefits, and this position is available as either
* Part-Time, on-call (without benefits), or
* Modified Full-Time at 21-39 hours per week (with benefits), or
* Full-Time (with benefits).
The archaeologist career path provides the opportunity to work on projects that require compliance with the National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA), Archeological Resources Protection Act (ARPA), National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA), and various state regulations. All work will be conducted under the guidance of senior cultural resources staff. Frequent travel is expected for the position. It is critical that candidates be able to work 8-to-10-hour days in a variety of conditions and understand that there could be frequent trips away from the office. Candidates must demonstrate a high awareness for workplace safety. This position offers unique opportunities for professional growth and expanding archaeological competency across a variety of projects and geographies. This position comes with a solid potential for career advancement within Jacobs. We value collaboration and believe that in-person interactions are crucial for both our culture and client delivery. We empower employees with our hybrid working policy, allowing them to split their work week between Jacobs’ offices/projects and remote locations enabling them to deliver their best work.
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS
At least a bachelor’s degree in Anthropology/Archaeology/CRM
Minimum of 3+ years of all phases of professional archaeological field work experience, including in western states
Experience in construction monitoring and collaborating with tribal monitors
Basic knowledge of historic preservation laws and policies, including NEPA, NHPA, ARPA, NAGPRA, and California state regulations and cultural resources policies
Experience using GPS technology, including EOS, FieldMap applications, Survey123, among others
Basic soil identification
Proficiency with basic feature and artifact identification, including precontact ceramics, flaked stone, and ground stone, and diagnostic historic artifacts
Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite
Excellent oral and written communication skills
Must be capable of walking for long periods of time over rugged terrain, excavating shovel tests and test units, screening soil, and carrying field equipment
Must be willing and able to travel frequently and for long periods of time, as needed
Must be motivated and able to work safely with minimum supervision
* Experience and comfort in working independently in the field and office
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
5+ years of experience
Experience leading crews in the field
Experience conducting research, literature reviews, and cartographic reviews
Experience writing compliance reports and completing site forms
Background in the consulting environment
Ability to handle multiple projects simultaneously and be responsive to both internal and external clients
HAZWOPER certification
OSHA-10 certification
COMPENSATION
- Base salary range: $61,700.00 to $90,000.00. Within the range, individual pay is determined by work location and additional factors, including job-related skills, experience, and relevant education or training.
Our health and welfare benefits are designed to invest in you, and in the things you care about. Your health. Your well-being. Your security. Your future. Employees have access to medical, dental, vision, and basic life insurance, a 401(k) plan, and the ability to purchase company stock at a discount. Eligible employees may also enroll in a deferred compensation plan or the Executive Deferral Plan. Jacobs has an unlimited U.S. Personalized Paid Time Off (PPTO) policy for full-time salaried/exempt employees, seven paid holidays, and caregiver leave. And certain roles may be eligible for additional rewards, including merit increases, performance discretionary bonus, and stock.
All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or protected veteran status.
Job posted on March 03, 2026. This position will be open for at least 3 days.
Your application experience is important to us, and we’re keen to adapt to make every interaction even better. If you require further support or reasonable adjustments with regards to the recruitment process (for example, you require the application form in a different format), please contact the team via Careers Support.
INTRODUCTION
At Jacobs, we're challenging today to reinvent tomorrow by solving the world's most critical problems for thriving cities, resilient environments, mission-critical outcomes, operational advancement, scientific discovery and cutting-edge manufacturing, turning abstract ideas into realities that transform the world for good.
ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Jacobs is seeking Staff Archaeologists to support a variety of projects across Arizona, Nevada, Colorado, Wyoming and other western geographies. This position provides cultural resources support for planning, engineering, and construction services to commercial clients. Depending on candidate and organization needs, we offer flexible hours and benefits, and this position is available as either
* Part-Time, on-call (without benefits), or
* Modified Full-Time at 21-39 hours per week (with benefits), or
* Full-Time (with benefits).
The archaeologist career path provides the opportunity to work on projects that require compliance with the National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA), Archeological Resources Protection Act (ARPA), National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA), and various state regulations. All work will be conducted under the guidance of senior cultural resources staff. Frequent travel is expected for the position. It is critical that candidates be able to work 8-to-10-hour days in a variety of conditions and understand that there could be frequent trips away from the office. Candidates must demonstrate a high awareness for workplace safety. This position offers unique opportunities for professional growth and expanding archaeological competency across a variety of projects and geographies. This position comes with a solid potential for career advancement within Jacobs. We value collaboration and believe that in-person interactions are crucial for both our culture and client delivery. We empower employees with our hybrid working policy, allowing them to split their work week between Jacobs’ offices/projects and remote locations enabling them to deliver their best work.
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS
At least a bachelor’s degree in Anthropology/Archaeology/CRM
Minimum of 3+ years of all phases of professional archaeological field work experience, including in western states
Experience in construction monitoring and collaborating with tribal monitors
Basic knowledge of historic preservation laws and policies, including NEPA, NHPA, ARPA, NAGPRA, and California state regulations and cultural resources policies
Experience using GPS technology, including EOS, FieldMap applications, Survey123, among others
Basic soil identification
Proficiency with basic feature and artifact identification, including precontact ceramics, flaked stone, and ground stone, and diagnostic historic artifacts
Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite
Excellent oral and written communication skills
Must be capable of walking for long periods of time over rugged terrain, excavating shovel tests and test units, screening soil, and carrying field equipment
Must be willing and able to travel frequently and for long periods of time, as needed
Must be motivated and able to work safely with minimum supervision
* Experience and comfort in working independently in the field and office
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
5+ years of experience
Experience leading crews in the field
Experience conducting research, literature reviews, and cartographic reviews
Experience writing compliance reports and completing site forms
Background in the consulting environment
Ability to handle multiple projects simultaneously and be responsive to both internal and external clients
HAZWOPER certification
OSHA-10 certification
COMPENSATION
- Base salary range: $61,700.00 to $90,000.00. Within the range, individual pay is determined by work location and additional factors, including job-related skills, experience, and relevant education or training.
Our health and welfare benefits are designed to invest in you, and in the things you care about. Your health. Your well-being. Your security. Your future. Employees have access to medical, dental, vision, and basic life insurance, a 401(k) plan, and the ability to purchase company stock at a discount. Eligible employees may also enroll in a deferred compensation plan or the Executive Deferral Plan. Jacobs has an unlimited U.S. Personalized Paid Time Off (PPTO) policy for full-time salaried/exempt employees, seven paid holidays, and caregiver leave. And certain roles may be eligible for additional rewards, including merit increases, performance discretionary bonus, and stock.
All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or protected veteran status.
Job posted on March 03, 2026. This position will be open for at least 3 days.
Your application experience is important to us, and we’re keen to adapt to make every interaction even better. If you require further support or reasonable adjustments with regards to the recruitment process (for example, you require the application form in a different format), please contact the team via Careers Support.
How to Get Visa Sponsorship in Archaeologist
Target CRM and government contractors
Cultural resource management firms and federal contractors regularly sponsor archaeologists for compliance projects. These employers understand visa processes better than academic institutions and have established sponsorship procedures.
Highlight specialized certifications
Register for Professional Archaeologist (RPA) certification and specialized training in GIS, remote sensing, or specific cultural periods. These credentials strengthen your H-1B specialty occupation case significantly.
Emphasize fieldwork and lab experience
Document extensive field school participation, laboratory analysis experience, and technical skills in artifact processing. USCIS values practical archaeological experience that demonstrates specialized knowledge beyond classroom learning.
Consider research assistant pathways
Universities and museums often hire archaeological research assistants who can transition to full positions. These roles may offer easier initial sponsorship while building the specialized experience needed.
Geographic specialization matters
Focus on regions with active archaeological compliance work like the Southwest, Southeast, or areas with major infrastructure projects. Local expertise strengthens both job prospects and visa applications.
Build museum and agency connections
Network with state historic preservation offices, tribal cultural departments, and natural history museums. These organizations frequently need sponsored archaeologists for specific cultural resource projects and grants.
Archaeologist jobs are hiring across the US. Find yours.
Find Archaeologist JobsSee all 133+ Archaeologist jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new Archaeologist roles.
Get Access To All JobsFrequently Asked Questions
What degree do I need for H-1B sponsorship as an archaeologist?
You need at least a bachelor's degree in archaeology, anthropology, or a closely related field like classical studies or art history with archaeological focus. A master's degree significantly strengthens your case, as many positions require graduate-level training in archaeological methods, theory, and specialized techniques like GIS or laboratory analysis.
Do archaeology jobs qualify as specialty occupations for H-1B?
Yes, most archaeologist positions qualify as specialty occupations because they require specific academic training in archaeological methods, cultural analysis, and fieldwork techniques. However, entry-level field technician roles may face scrutiny if they don't require specialized knowledge beyond basic field skills.
Which employers sponsor archaeologists for work visas?
Cultural resource management firms, federal contractors, state agencies, universities, and museums sponsor archaeologists. CRM companies like SWCA Environmental Consultants and government contractors working on infrastructure projects have the most consistent sponsorship track records due to ongoing compliance work requirements.
Can I get sponsored without fieldwork experience?
Sponsorship is difficult without substantial fieldwork experience. Most employers expect field school completion, excavation experience, and familiarity with archaeological recording methods. Laboratory experience with artifact analysis, dating techniques, or digital documentation can supplement limited field time, but some hands-on archaeological work is typically essential.
How long does archaeologist H-1B processing take?
Standard H-1B processing takes 3-6 months, but premium processing reduces this to 15 calendar days for an additional fee. Many CRM firms file in April for October start dates to align with federal contracting cycles, so plan accordingly if targeting compliance archaeology positions.
What is the prevailing wage requirement for sponsored Archaeologist jobs?
U.S. employers sponsoring a visa must pay at least the prevailing wage, which is what workers in the same role, area, and experience level typically earn. The Department of Labor sets this rate to make sure companies aren't hiring foreign workers simply because they'd accept lower pay than a U.S. worker. It varies by job title, location, and experience. You can look up current prevailing wage rates for any occupation and location using the OFLC Wage Search page.
See which Archaeologist employers are hiring and sponsoring visas right now.
Search Archaeologist Jobs