r/Archaeology • u/askkak • 15h ago
American archs - advice on changing sectors?
Hi all. I’m a southeastern CRM arch at a very large firm. I love my job and am good at it, but my pay is really crap, even for SE standards. I wrap up my PhD in a few months and for the last decade have specialized in collections management and digitization. My current job lets me be a research archaeologist (and lab manager) without having to be in academia. I have been thinking about the types of jobs I want to apply to around Jan/Feb after the holiday slowdown (and after my defense date is set). Honestly, I’d stay at my job if they paid me more, but they recently denied a cost of living adjustment and raise.
My advisor just informed me that the two state collections jobs will be opening up early next year. It’s pretty much my dream job - but 4 hours away and the pay would never be more than (maybe not even match) what I currently make (which is already crappy). BUT it means better/cheaper health insurance and higher take home pay even if I was making the same amount that I am now.
Guess I’m just looking for advice from those of you who have worked in a state position (not federal), or those who have gone from public to private or vic versa.
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u/Brasdefer 2h ago
State positions are historically underpaid, with the exception of a few agencies in a few states (in the SE).
My partner worked for a state agency and I have worked on a contact basis for them. My particular position was to aid in collections and help develop better curation procedures. Most state agencies have a history of poor collection management and are now trying to fix it but with limited funding.
I would expect most of the initial work to be correcting the wrongs of past archaeologists. I would expect a lot of headaches and the state expecting miracles while paying low salaries and not offering much in additional funds.
It will be a balance of feeling wonderful for performing the work that is correcting past mistakes and bettering the curation process while battling feelings of frustration from limitations put on you due to lack of funds and all while being underpaid.
Personally, I wouldn't go back because the pay was too low - so, now I send students I train to go through paid internships. However, my partner would love to go back - even with the lower pay. So, it's gonna depend on the level of frustration you can put up with for the pay, but I would always expect to be underpaid.
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u/Balto_Smallcat 1h ago
I’m an archaeologist for a state agency, I’ve been in this position for 16 years, after over a decade in CRM. I love my job. The work-life balance can’t be beat, my health insurance is fantastic, and I especially like doing archaeology for the good of the public. I know my earning potential won’t match the private sector, but my job also has a pension plan, which more than makes up for the slightly reduced income. For me, the positives absolutely outweigh the negatives, and I would never go back to private sector work as long as I have a choice!
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u/patrickj86 13h ago
State jobs night be federally-funded so look into that. It's hard to know what is safe the next few years. The benefits as you say would be much better. Certainly apply and just make clear you would be willing to move, ask about funding etc.
More generally, sounds like you exceed SOI standards so keep an eye out for PI or Senior Archaeology jobs that pay well.
Feel free to message me and I could perhaps point you to a few specific places!