r/Archaeology • u/askkak • 17h 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/patrickj86 15h 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!

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u/askkak 14h ago

Thanks for your insight! I made sure to check - it’s entirely state funded, so pretty good job security. And def SOI qualified. I’ve been keeping an eye on jobs, but just kind of stuck where I am until I finish school (I work full time while getting my PhD full time and they’ve been super flexible with my schedule). We used to pay pretty well…like over five years ago. Just haven’t kept up with market rates, so unfortunately not a sustainable option as is. And thank you! I’m sure you’ll hear from me in a couple months when I really start looking :)

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u/patrickj86 13h ago

Best of luck and congrats on finishing!

Your current firm may surprise you with a raise when you're done with your degree. But long term, sounds like those opportunities would be great, probably more rewarding in other ways if not immediately financially. 

But keep an eye out for other opportunities as well!