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Archaeologist vs environmental specialist

The differences between archaeologists and environmental specialists can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 1-2 years to become an archaeologist, becoming an environmental specialist takes usually requires 4-6 years. Additionally, an environmental specialist has an average salary of $54,482, which is higher than the $50,314 average annual salary of an archaeologist.

The top three skills for an archaeologist include excavations, GPS and GIS. The most important skills for an environmental specialist are hazardous waste, environmental compliance, and hazardous materials.

Archaeologist vs environmental specialist overview

ArchaeologistEnvironmental Specialist
Yearly salary$50,314$54,482
Hourly rate$24.19$26.19
Growth rate6%5%
Number of jobs4,26018,074
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 74%Bachelor's Degree, 64%
Average age4139
Years of experience26

What does an archaeologist do?

An Archaeologist is focused on studying past human activity. They record, interpret, and preserve archaeological remains for future generations.

What does an environmental specialist do?

Environmental specialists are experts in natural science who are responsible for monitoring the environmental impact of a population, identifying environmental problems, and recommending measures to solve these issues. These scientists perform various duties and responsibilities that include overseeing field examinations and reporting hazard materials and locations, evaluating environmental health concerns, and investigating preparing reports related to environmental issues. Environmental specialists are also responsible for consulting with agencies or clients about an issue or situation and working with other companies to reduce pollution and waste.

Archaeologist vs environmental specialist salary

Archaeologists and environmental specialists have different pay scales, as shown below.

ArchaeologistEnvironmental Specialist
Average salary$50,314$54,482
Salary rangeBetween $33,000 And $75,000Between $36,000 And $80,000
Highest paying CityChelmsford, MASan Francisco, CA
Highest paying stateRhode IslandCalifornia
Best paying companyArcadisTexas Instruments
Best paying industry-Manufacturing

Differences between archaeologist and environmental specialist education

There are a few differences between an archaeologist and an environmental specialist in terms of educational background:

ArchaeologistEnvironmental Specialist
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 74%Bachelor's Degree, 64%
Most common majorAnthropologyEnvironmental Science
Most common collegeHarvard UniversityUniversity of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Archaeologist vs environmental specialist demographics

Here are the differences between archaeologists' and environmental specialists' demographics:

ArchaeologistEnvironmental Specialist
Average age4139
Gender ratioMale, 52.9% Female, 47.1%Male, 62.6% Female, 37.4%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 6.8% Unknown, 5.6% Hispanic or Latino, 14.1% Asian, 6.7% White, 66.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8%Black or African American, 3.1% Unknown, 3.7% Hispanic or Latino, 6.2% Asian, 5.0% White, 81.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8%
LGBT Percentage11%16%

Differences between archaeologist and environmental specialist duties and responsibilities

Archaeologist example responsibilities.

  • Manage field research, artifact database, data records, and federal and state require reports.
  • Manage contracts for curation of museum items, propose actions to repatriate NAGPRA materials and resolve curation problems.
  • Coordinate and authore NEPA and NHPA documents for federal projects.
  • Coordinate requirements of the NHPA and NEPA by serving as an NEPA interdisciplinary team member and providing expert technical advice.
  • Convert data files to GIS shape files and create maps for use in publications using ArcGIS 9.0 and ESRI digital maps.
  • Conduct and organize archaeological field surveys, excavations, testing, data recovery, and construction/ environmental monitoring.
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Environmental specialist example responsibilities.

  • Manage all compliance recordkeeping, sampling, monitoring, auditing, testing and training activities.
  • Lead numerous consultation meetings with USACE, BOEM, USCG, NMFS, USFWS and other state and federal agencies.
  • Conduct environmental and safety due diligence on industrial facilities of clients to evaluate compliance with applicable OSHA safety guidelines and EPA regulations
  • Experience reviewing existing sewer collection, and conveyance plans.
  • Create an air-cleaning approach to eliminate acid use in the groundwater conveyance pipes.
  • Complete SPCC field verification, personnel interviews, and reviews of SPCC operating procedures, documentation, and incident reports.
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Archaeologist vs environmental specialist skills

Common archaeologist skills
  • Excavations, 27%
  • GPS, 12%
  • GIS, 7%
  • Technical Reports, 6%
  • Data Recovery, 5%
  • Background Research, 4%
Common environmental specialist skills
  • Hazardous Waste, 9%
  • Environmental Compliance, 8%
  • Hazardous Materials, 6%
  • EPA, 6%
  • Customer Service, 5%
  • HAZWOPER, 5%

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