How to Get Your First Archaeology Field Tech Job

Field technician is the usual entry point into professional archaeology. It is also competitive, because many people are looking for the same openings, and a lot of the work is seasonal. This guide covers what the job involves, what employers usually want, where to look and how to present yourself.

What a field technician does

Field technicians do the hands-on fieldwork of archaeology, working under a crew chief or project archaeologist. Typical tasks include:

Survey: walking transects to look for artifacts and features on the surface.
Shovel testing: digging small test holes at set intervals and screening the soil for artifacts.
Excavation: digging test units, recording soil layers and collecting finds.
Recording: field notes, forms, photographs, maps and location data.
Monitoring: watching construction work for archaeological material, on some projects.

Most field technicians work in cultural resource management (CRM), which is archaeology done to meet laws such as Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act before a project like a pipeline, highway or solar farm goes ahead. Our guide to Section 106 explains why that work exists.

Is it the right job for you?

Know what you are signing up for. The work is outdoors in all kinds of weather, with long days of walking and carrying equipment. Projects are often far from home, so travel is common. Many technician jobs are seasonal, on-call or tied to a single project, and pay is usually hourly. Your hours may vary from week to week, and one job often ends before the next begins.

Some people love that mix and some do not. A field school, even a short one, is a good way to find out before you commit. See our guide to choosing a field school.

What employers usually ask for

Every posting is different, so read each one carefully. Common requirements include:

A bachelor's degree in anthropology, archaeology or a related field, or one nearly finished.
An archaeological field school.
A valid driver's license.
Physical ability to hike over uneven ground, work in heat, cold or rain, and carry equipment.
Willingness to travel and to work away from home.
Basic field skills such as using a compass and maps, taking field notes and, increasingly, using GPS.

Some employers add safety training such as first aid and CPR, and certain projects, for example at industrial or utility sites, may require site-specific safety courses. Experience with GIS or a total station is often a plus but is not always expected from a beginner.

For context, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics lists a master's degree as the typical entry-level education for anthropologists and archeologists as a whole. Technician jobs commonly ask for less, but advanced degrees matter later, when you want to supervise projects. See the Secretary of the Interior standards and the RPA.

Where to find openings

This site. Start with field technician jobs and seasonal and short-term jobs, or use the state and per diem filters on the jobs page.
CRM job boards. Job boards for cultural resource management firms post openings from their members, and we list many of them here too.
CRM firms' own career pages. Many firms keep pools of on-call technicians. Apply even when no specific opening is listed.
Federal and state jobs. Government agencies hire archaeological technicians as well. See our federal archaeology jobs, and read our guide to preparing a federal resume before you apply, because federal applications work differently.
People you already know. Classmates, field school staff and former supervisors often hear about openings first.

Seasonal openings can fill quickly, so apply early and keep your materials ready to send.

Make your application count

Your resume should be short, usually one page, and lead with your field school. For it, list the program, the dates and weeks, the kinds of work you did, and the supervisor. Then list your specific skills, such as survey, shovel testing, excavation, mapping, soil description, GPS or GIS, and any safety certifications. Include your driver's license, the dates you are available and your willingness to travel.

Your cover note can be a few sentences. Say when you are available, where you are willing to work and what you have done. Show that you read the posting.

Your references should be people who watched you work: a field school director or supervisor, a professor or a past crew chief. Ask permission first.

Your timing matters. Reply promptly to calls and emails, because field hiring often moves quickly.

Read the posting carefully

Before you accept an offer, make sure you understand:

Pay: the hourly rate, and whether overtime is paid. Our page on advertised pay shows what current postings offer.
Duration: whether the job is on-call, seasonal or for one project, and the expected start and end dates.
Travel costs: whether there is per diem or lodging, who pays for travel and whether travel time is paid. Our guide to per diem and lodging lists questions to ask.
Schedule: the days and hours, and what happens on a weather day.
Equipment: what the employer provides and what you buy yourself, such as boots and personal gear.
Benefits: many seasonal jobs have limited benefits, so ask.

Questions to ask before you say yes

What will my daily schedule look like, and how many weeks will this project last?
Where will I be working, and how far is it from where I live?
Is per diem paid, is lodging provided, and how and when is it paid?
Who provides a vehicle, and are mileage and travel time paid?
What gear do I need to bring, and what does the employer provide?
What happens if the project ends early or is delayed?

After you are hired

Be reliable and careful. Show up on time, take clear notes, follow the procedures and ask when you are unsure. Keep your own record of every project, with the dates, the employer, your role and the type of work, because you will need it later when you document experience for the Secretary of the Interior standards or the RPA.

Moving up

Many archaeologists follow a path from field technician to crew chief, then project archaeologist, then principal investigator or project manager. Each step usually brings more responsibility and more pay. You can browse jobs by title to see what employers ask for at each level, including principal investigator jobs.

Sources and further reading

This guide is general information, not legal or professional advice. Regulations, standards and employer practices change, so check the official sources linked above before relying on any detail.