by our College Data Analytics TeamStudying Geoarcheaology explores A Program That Focuses On The Application Of Analytical Techniques, Concepts, And Field Methods From The Earth Sciences To Solve Archaeological Questions Related To Human Settlement, Artifacts, Site Taphonomy, And Paleoenvironments. Includes Instruction In Anthropology, Ancient Civilizations, Archeology, Geology, Paleoclimatic Reconstruction, Sedimentology, And Site Taphonomic Research. Read on to learn the essential details every geoarcheaology major should know — including career paths, salary data, the skills you will develop, and the best colleges offering geoarcheaology programs.
Across the country, geoarcheaology is a popular field of study, with 8 degrees awarded annually.
Our 2026 Best Geoarcheaology Schools ranking analyzes these 3 schools to determine the best overall colleges for geoarcheaology students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of geoarcheaology programs later in this article.
Programs in Geoarcheaology develop a specific mix of skills, knowledge, and abilities — derived from O*NET surveys of workers in the occupations geoarcheaology graduates commonly enter.
Skills emphasized by a geoarcheaology program reflects the day-to-day work of related occupations:
According to O*NET, a geoarcheaology major emphasizes the following knowledge areas:
There are several geoarcheaology degree levels. The table below shows the typical length of the most common levels, and how many graduates earn each one.
| Degree | Typical Program Length | Graduates Annually |
|---|---|---|
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 7 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 1 |
People currently working in careers related to geoarcheaology tend to have obtained the following education levels.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Bachelor’s degree | 49.3% |
| Master’s degree | 14.4% |
| Doctoral degree | 13.0% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 7.0% |
| High school diploma or equivalent | 5.2% |
| Postsecondary certificate | 3.4% |
| Some college courses | 2.7% |
| Post-baccalaureate certificate | 2.5% |
| Post-master’s certificate | 1.1% |
| First professional degree | 0.8% |
| Post-doctoral training | 0.6% |
See the chart below to get an idea of what level of education most of those in geoarcheaology careers hold.
Source: ONET Online education / training / experience requirements.*
A degree in geoarcheaology prepares you for numerous career paths. Here are some of the most common occupations related to geoarcheaology.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to geoarcheaology.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Social Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary, All Other | 1,421,275 | 11.1% |
| Managers, All Other | 468,025 | 6.2% |
| Compliance Managers | 310,203 | 13.0% |
| Loss Prevention Managers | 265,210 | 2.2% |
| Anthropology and Archeology Teachers, Postsecondary | 262,916 | 6.6% |
| Regulatory Affairs Managers | 206,415 | 9.9% |
| Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers | 150,428 | 4.5% |
| Wind Energy Operations Managers | 128,884 | 5.2% |
Salaries for geoarcheaology graduates vary widely by occupation. The following table shows the top highest-paying careers geoarcheaology grads often go into.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Wind Energy Development Managers | $169,952 |
| Loss Prevention Managers | $165,723 |
| Wind Energy Operations Managers | $122,567 |
| Compliance Managers | $117,178 |
| Brownfield Redevelopment Specialists and Site Managers | $99,321 |
| Managers, All Other | $95,684 |
| Regulatory Affairs Managers | $77,828 |
| Anthropologists and Archeologists | $72,345 |
With 3 different geoarcheaology programs to choose from, finding the best fit can be a challenge. We have analyzed these schools to produce unbiased geoarcheaology school rankings to help you.
More about our data sources and methodologies.
