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What does an archaeological field technician do?

Updated January 8, 2025
6 min read

The key role of an Archaeological Field Technician is to conduct archaeological surveys, testing, and data recovery. They prepare accurate and concise laboratory documentation/mapping.

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Archaeological field technician responsibilities

Here are examples of responsibilities from real archaeological field technician resumes:

  • Utilize ARCGIS to keep track of areas cover by survey and manage the project.
  • Manage network reliability, capacity and performance in conjunction with RF engineering establish guidelines.
  • Help establish and implement GPS and GIS technologies, replacing outdate survey and mapping methodologies.
  • Input data and create maps using ArcView 3.2 and ArcGIS 9.0.
  • Conduct literature reviews including creating GIS maps.
  • Document sites using hand drawings, GPS unit and digital camera.
  • Experience in the use of manual surveying equipment and with ESRI GIS products.
  • Help remove sand dunes, vegetation, and collapse roofing tiles from a vat with shovels and buckets.
  • Gain more experience with historical landscape excavations.
  • Monitor computerize industrial HVAC and lighting control installations via the internet.
  • Work closely with building stationary engineers developing building procedural standards for facility HVAC systems.
  • Work extensively with office personnel to prepare reports derive from fieldwork that correspond to SHPO obligations.
  • Determine acceptability of video and data services by reviewing television picture quality and PC and modem connections.
  • Work on PC and network maintenance, repair and configuration conducting troubleshooting and resolution of customer connectivity and Internet/Exchange configuration issues.
  • Participate in the writing of site reports and the completion of Wyoming SHPO reports.

Archaeological field technician skills and personality traits

We calculated that 24% of Archaeological Field Technicians are proficient in GPS, Data Collection, and Data Recovery. They’re also known for soft skills such as Interpersonal skills, Analytical skills, and Communication skills.

We break down the percentage of Archaeological Field Technicians that have these skills listed on their resume here:

  • GPS, 24%

    Advised purchase of GPS Field Gear and GIS / GPS software acquisition for office and field needs.

  • Data Collection, 11%

    Key Achievements: * Effectively identified applicability of assessment tools by analyzing collaborative databases from previous data collection / sampling projects.

  • Data Recovery, 9%

    Excavated for data recovery on prehistoric basin houses and features in Colorado and Wyoming

  • GIS, 7%

    Assisted the GIS manager at the University of Louisville in Kentucky in creating GIS maps and analysis.

  • Excavations, 7%

    Conducted meticulous excavations of Terminal Late Woodland and Mississippian features, including the drafting of detailed feature maps.

  • Sketch, 6%

    Completed field forms, drew sketch maps, profiles and plan view field drawings.

Common skills that an archaeological field technician uses to do their job include "gps," "data collection," and "data recovery." You can find details on the most important archaeological field technician responsibilities below.

Interpersonal skills. To carry out their duties, the most important skill for an archaeological field technician to have is interpersonal skills. Their role and responsibilities require that "environmental science and protection technicians need to work well and collaborate with others, because they often work with scientists and other technicians." Archaeological field technicians often use interpersonal skills in their day-to-day job, as shown by this real resume: "utilized professionalism, positive attitude, initiative, and interpersonal skills to facilitate a productive team environment and customer satisfaction. "

Analytical skills. Another essential skill to perform archaeological field technician duties is analytical skills. Archaeological field technicians responsibilities require that "environmental science and protection technicians must carry out a wide range of laboratory and field tests, and their results must be accurate and precise." Archaeological field technicians also use analytical skills in their role according to a real resume snippet: "record evidence of past human activity with site forms and texsite, the statewide archaeology site database. "

Communication skills. Another skill that relates to the job responsibilities of archaeological field technicians is communication skills. This skill is critical to many everyday archaeological field technician duties, as "environmental science and protection technicians must have good listening and writing skills, because they must follow precise directions for sample collection and communicate their results effectively in written reports." This example from a resume shows how this skill is used: "install j and p hooks for broadband communication. "

All archaeological field technician skills

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Archaeological Field Technician Resume
Archaeological Field Technician Resume
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Archaeological Field Technician Resume
Archaeological Field Technician Resume
Archaeological Field Technician Resume
Archaeological Field Technician Resume
Archaeological Field Technician Resume
Archaeological Field Technician Resume
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Archaeological Field Technician Resume
Archaeological Field Technician Resume
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Archaeological Field Technician Resume
Archaeological Field Technician Resume

Compare different archaeological field technicians

Archaeological field technician vs. Laboratory analyst

A Laboratory Analyst helps conduct experiments, run laboratory tests, and analyze results. They compile and record data for the documentation needed for testing and report preparation.

If we compare the average archaeological field technician annual salary with that of a laboratory analyst, we find that laboratory analysts typically earn a $2,672 higher salary than archaeological field technicians make annually.

These skill sets are where the common ground ends though. The responsibilities of an archaeological field technician are more likely to require skills like "anthropology," "gps," "data collection," and "data recovery." On the other hand, a job as a laboratory analyst requires skills like "test methods," "lab equipment," "lims," and "laboratory procedures." As you can see, what employees do in each career varies considerably.

Laboratory analysts earn the highest salaries when working in the pharmaceutical industry, with an average yearly salary of $47,806. On the other hand, archaeological field technicians are paid more in the government industry with an average salary of $40,901.The education levels that laboratory analysts earn slightly differ from archaeological field technicians. In particular, laboratory analysts are 2.9% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree than an archaeological field technician. Additionally, they're 0.1% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

Archaeological field technician vs. Environmental services supervisor

Environmental services supervisors direct and administer a healthcare facility's housekeeping program to maintain sanitation and occupational health. They help departments in charge of the cleanup, sanitation, pest control, housekeeping, and laundry. These professionals should be experts in health, sanitation, and safety policies and regulations. They oversee the staff of the department and their working conditions. They inspect the ventilation, air conditioning, and heating. Also, they take charge of equipment and supplies, quality assurance and control, and prepare budgets.

A career as a environmental services supervisor brings a lower average salary when compared to the average annual salary of an archaeological field technician. In fact, environmental services supervisors salary is $1,190 lower than the salary of archaeological field technicians per year.

While some skills are similar in these professions, other skills aren't so similar. For example, resumes show us that archaeological field technician responsibilities requires skills like "anthropology," "gps," "data collection," and "data recovery." But an environmental services supervisor might use other skills in their typical duties, such as, "patients," "environmental services," "cleanliness," and "customer service."

Environmental services supervisors earn a lower average salary than archaeological field technicians. But environmental services supervisors earn the highest pay in the hospitality industry, with an average salary of $43,387. Additionally, archaeological field technicians earn the highest salaries in the government with average pay of $40,901 annually.In general, environmental services supervisors achieve lower levels of education than archaeological field technicians. They're 8.6% less likely to obtain a Master's Degree while being 0.1% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

Archaeological field technician vs. Environmental assistant

An environmental assistant is primarily in charge of performing daily administrative support tasks in an office. Their responsibilities include preparing and processing documentation, coordinating services and procedures, monitoring the inventory of supplies, participating in the procurement procedures, answering calls and correspondence, and maintaining records of all transactions. They may also perform managerial duties if necessary. Furthermore, as an environmental assistant, it is essential to keep an active communication line with staff, coordinating every step of the way while adhering to the company's policies and regulations.

On average, environmental assistants earn lower salaries than archaeological field technicians, with a $7,451 difference per year.archaeological field technicians and environmental assistants both have job responsibilities that require similar skill sets. These similarities include skills such as "gps," "data collection," and "gis," but they differ when it comes to other required skills.

The required skills of the two careers differ considerably. For example, archaeological field technicians are more likely to have skills like "anthropology," "data recovery," "excavations," and "sketch." But a environmental assistant is more likely to have skills like "patients," "patient rooms," "cleanliness," and "patient care."

Environmental assistants earn the highest salary when working in the manufacturing industry, where they receive an average salary of $45,535. Comparatively, archaeological field technicians have the highest earning potential in the government industry, with an average salary of $40,901.environmental assistants typically earn lower educational levels compared to archaeological field technicians. Specifically, they're 5.8% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 0.7% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

Archaeological field technician vs. Technician

Technicians are skilled professionals who primarily work with technology in different industries. They are knowledgeable about the technical aspects of the various items they work with. They are usually working with electricity or with technological advancements. Technicians may be assigned to do the construction of equipment or materials related to their field of study. They may also be assigned to conduct diagnostics and other maintenance activities to ensure that the equipment works properly. Technicians may also be required to conduct basic repairs in case of problems. It is important that technicians have good analytical skills and decision-making skills.

Technicians typically earn lower pay than archaeological field technicians. On average, technicians earn a $3,307 lower salary per year.While their salaries may vary, archaeological field technicians and technicians both use similar skills to perform their duties. Resumes from both professions include skills like "gps," "sketch," and "powerpoint. "

Even though a few skill sets overlap between archaeological field technicians and technicians, there are some differences that are important to note. For one, an archaeological field technician might have more use for skills like "anthropology," "data collection," "data recovery," and "gis." Meanwhile, some responsibilities of technicians require skills like "patients," "customer service," "patient care," and "hand tools. "

Technicians enjoy the best pay in the telecommunication industry, with an average salary of $46,660. For comparison, archaeological field technicians earn the highest salary in the government industry.The average resume of technicians showed that they earn lower levels of education compared to archaeological field technicians. So much so that theyacirc;euro;trade;re 6.6% less likely to earn a Master's Degree and less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree by 0.0%.

Types of archaeological field technician

Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

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