Matt Nicholas (c) 2006
In the fall of 2007, I asked a friend who works at a large American firm and he reports that the going rate for an American field tech with a bachelor's degree in anthropology (or one in progress) but no field work experience is around $US 10-$12 an hour, on a regulation 40-hour work week; rates increase with experience up to $17-18 an hour for field supervisors. Per diem is provided, in most cases (for longer projects), of around $50-$100 per day depending on where in the country you are working. It probably varies from company to company, but in some cases, you can bring your own car and be on your own for the weekend. That means the per diem for your hotel and meals may or may not be on your tab. Chances are, though, that you'll have to carry your own health insurance, although workman's comp generally does cover accidents.