What Is Applied Anthropology? (With 7 Career Paths)

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Updated July 11, 2025

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Applied anthropologists commonly find employment within international companies, government agencies, museums and community groups. If you're interested in a career in applied anthropology, reviewing the fields that use this type of specialized knowledge and the employment opportunities available can help you find the right position.In this article, we discuss what applied anthropology is, which fields benefit from this expertise, positions you can pursue in the industry and their salaries.

What is applied anthropology?

Applied anthropology, also called practical anthropology, uses research methods and cultural studies to solve practical, everyday challenges in communities and organizations. In this field, you may work in national parks and museums to help interpret history to improve research about the past. Additionally, professionals in this industry may work in other community fields to inform the public about topics related to their health, education and environment. This type of anthropology uses techniques such as:

Ethnography: Applied anthropologists observe human interactions in social activities and settings. Ethnographic research typically requires complete or partial immersion in a culture or group.
Snowballing: This involves building relationships with study subjects who recruit close family members and friends to the study. This method is effective when working with groups that wish to remain anonymous.
Interviews: Applied anthropologists perform one-on-one interviews with study subjects to gain information from first or secondary sources.
Archival research: Anthropologists study a group's books, journals and other historical documents to understand and preserve the native culture.

The four subfields of anthropology

Subfields in anthropology have four categories, which have distinctive skills and foci. Here are the four primary types of anthropology:

1. Biological anthropology

As a biological anthropologist, you learn how humans adapt to new environments. You may also explore how humans have evolved from animal species and what causes early diseases and death. In this role, you study human comparisons with primates, such as apes and monkeys, and you may also examine human ancestors in fossils. This subfield of anthropology may also focus on how human biology and culture can collaborate and influence how an individual adapts, survives and behaves.Forensic anthropology is closely related to biological anthropology and involves using skeletal remains to evaluate a situation and determine what occurred. Forensic anthropologists often work with law enforcement officials, as they can use their skills to help understand what may have happened during a crime.Related: Careers in Biological Anthropology: 9 Jobs You Can Pursue

2. Cultural anthropology

Cultural anthropologists research cultures and populations around the world to learn about their norms, practices and values. This area of anthropology focuses on the cultural aspects that humans determine are important to particular groups of people and how those factors vary or relate between cultures. In this role, individuals may use their interpersonal skills to understand different perspectives and gain cultural information.Related: 16 Cultural Anthropologist Jobs To Explore (With Salaries)

3. Linguistic anthropology

Linguistic anthropology studies how humans communicate around the world and how they relate to each other. This approach can also evaluate how dialects change from one city to the next, even if it's the same language. In this field, you may study how human languages have changed or vanished from use. Additionally, this study can determine how humans use their language and the meanings they attach to the words, which may vary for each individual.Related: Linguist Skills To Develop for a Career in Linguistics

4. Archaeology

An archaeologist examines objects past humans have created and determines how they may have used them for daily life and survival. These objects can include weapons, pottery and toys. They may also analyze human remains, such as teeth and bones, to study the human species and how they evolved. Archaeologists can determine how present-day humans differ from previous generations and cultures and how they're similar.Related: 10 Types of Jobs in Archaeology (Plus Duties and Salaries)

Which fields use applied anthropology?

Applied anthropologists work for various industries, including government agencies, coalitions, advocacy groups, educational companies, social services and private businesses. Here are additional examples of fields you may pursue as an applied anthropologist:

Healthcare
Education
Community development
Disaster management
Museums/tourism
Business
Cultural resource management
Agriculture
Forestry
Environmental planning
Communications
Law
Indigenous rights

7 jobs for applied anthropologists

Many industries hire applied anthropologists because of their research, data collection, and oral and written language interpretation skills. Here are a few jobs that use applied anthropologist skills: For the most up-to-date salary information from Indeed, visit indeed.com/salaries.

1. Curator

National average salary: $62,023 per yearPrimary duties: Curators catalog documents and objects with cultural or historical value. They also preserve valuable artifacts, educate museum visitors, plan museum exhibits and create displays. Curators primarily work in museums but may travel to historically and culturally significant sites to work with those artifacts.Find curator jobsRead more: Learn About Becoming a Curator

2. Archaeologist

National average salary: $64,767 per yearPrimary duties: Archaeologists can work for government agencies. An archaeologist evaluates cultural resources affected by government projects, such as roads and buildings. Archaeologists use their analysis, survey, research and excavation skills to preserve the heritage and artifacts of native people.Find archaeologist jobs

3. Public health nurse

National average salary: $65,676 per yearPrimary duties: International health organizations hire public health nurses to help design and implement health programs. An individual with a background in medical anthropology can use their understanding of cultural norms, language and medicine to help doctors and nurses effectively treat patients while respecting their culture. These professionals may find alternative treatment methods if the prescribed procedure doesn't align with the patient's culture.Find public health nurse jobs

4. Environmental specialist

National average salary: $56,316 per yearPrimary duties: Environmental specialists work to develop solutions for environmental challenges and protect human health. These professionals can clean up polluted waterways, reclaim damaged land and work with companies to reduce waste and carbon emissions. Environmental specialists may also advise businesses, legislators, policymakers and public citizens.Find environmental specialist jobs

5. Market analyst

National average salary: $78,364 per yearPrimary duties: Market analysts manage research and analyze market conditions to help companies determine which products or services to sell. They can also help establish product placement and optimal product prices. These professionals may help market analysts investigate consumer buying patterns and preferences not easily identified using the standard statistical analysis methods using their applied anthropologist skills.Find market analyst jobs

6. Linguist

National average salary: $34,574 per yearPrimary duties: Linguists may work with computer software companies to create speech recognition programs. Software engineers often collaborate with applied linguistic anthropologists to develop language education software and understand how an individual's culture affects their language use. Applied linguistic anthropologists preserve endangered languages by creating specialized language textbooks and archiving valuable documents.Find linguist jobs

7. Anthropology professor

National average salary: $61,014 per yearPrimary duties: Many applied anthropologists work as professors at colleges and universities. These professors prepare class materials, perform anthropological research tasks, teach classes and write scholarly articles. These professionals may also work with other university departments, such as public health, medicine, ethnic studies, education and linguistics.Find anthropology professor jobs

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