Forensic Anthropology Salary - How Rewarding Can It Be
Interested in working with the human skeleton and getting paid handsomely for it? Yes, the forensic anthropology salary is rewarding and experience will not just develop your reputation but compensate you very well, too.
If you follow the television series "Bones", that'll give you a pretty good idea into the work of these professionals. Mostly, they work in museums and laboratories and tapped as consultants to help law enforcement agencies solve criminal puzzles that involve - what else - bones.
What's The Average Salary
Don't mistake a forensic pathologist for a forensic anthropologist. While both have the title of "doctor", the former is a usually a physician and the latter, a scientist.
Both are called upon as expert witnesses to testify in court regarding their findings to help settle criminal or legal matters. A forensic pathologist usually works with a law enforcement agency, employed as a medical examiner or some other related position, depending on specialization. They often work with bodily fluids, tissues and chemical substances found in the corpses brought in for examination.
Forensic anthropology is a branch of physical anthropology with specialized training in osteology or skeletal biology. In earning your forensic anthropology salary that has an average range of $44,000 to $75,000, your job requires working with skeletal remains that need to be identified. It is applying your scientific knowledge to the area of medico-legal investigation.
How Far Can the Forensic Anthropology Salary Grow
Unlike forensic pathologists, which is a more in demand career, most forensic anthropologists end up in museums or universities. Most often, you will begin your career either as a researcher or assistant professor. For these positions, expect a starting forensic anthropology salary in the range of $30,000 to $40,000.
Work your way up to full time lecturer or professor and you can probably take home between $54,680 and $76,150. Major universities are known to pay upwards of $100,000. Not bad for staying in the safe world of the academy. The good news is since there are few regular positions for forensic anthropologists in law enforcement agencies, you can be called in as consultant and serve as expert witness to help solve criminal cases.
However, if you happen to end up serving a government or military agency in need of a full-time forensic anthropologist, it won't be a bad deal either. That could mean a starting salary of $73,000. Crime labs also need a forensic science technician in their roster and you can make between $58,812 and $69,144.
The FBI or state bureaus of investigation, private firms or coroner and medical examiner officers also may have some opportunities for you. As long you have a good education from forensic anthropology schools and have the experience to show for it, you stand a good chance of winning over the competition.
In the exciting world of criminal justice, your expertise will be sought to help identify remains by establishing gender, race and even the time and cause of death.
How Much You Can Expect to Earn Realistically
Unfortunately, the field is so competitive and the opportunities, limited. So other than the academe, other forensic anthropologists may end up in museums serving as curator. That is actually the lowliest in terms of pay given the qualifications. Still, an annual income of $25,000 to $30,000 is better than none. And you can always offer your services as a resource person or expert witness should the need arise to beef up your forensic anthropology salary.
What kind of knowledge do you need to possess to be at the top of your game? osteology, forensic anthropological techniques and procedures, human anatomy, crime scene investigation, human identification are the basic. Working with bones is a puzzle because there are so many questions needing answers. It's your expertise in the field, your dedication and perseverance that will ultimately determine your forensic anthropology salary.
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