This 2025 Poverty Impact Report is based on the responses of 513 individuals representing around 10% of the whole workforce in UK archaeology. The statistics that have been collected, analysed and collated by Lu Stanton-Greenwood. David Connolly and Gwilym Williams offered professional support and opinion and Hana Kdolska edited and collated the comments section.
Without all of us, and those who responded to this survey, there would be no report. Again – thank you all.
Main PIR Report 2025 (pdf)
Survey Comments 2025 (pdf)
Since the last previous reports, what has changed? The Poverty impact Report has, among other initiatives, highlighted the damage we as a profession continued to inflict upon ourselves. Many companies decided have stepped up to deal with the seemingly never-ending issue in UK Archaeology. There are still some companies who pay poverty level salaries, you won’t see them on BAJR for a reason.
Good news, though not great news
There are signs of a more confident workforce, however the good news – although heading in the right direction is not exactly something that makes us want to celebrate. With small improvements see in the general trends, such as the typical renting respondent in a single household being now 5% away from a cost expenditure required to be considered on the poverty line after rent and energy bills are paid. If I could sum this up in a line; It’s better but not great.
As ever last year there was a level of discomfort at the content of the individual comments because they spoiled the belief that archaeology was fine, and nothing was wrong. We stand by the data produced here and the voices it represents. Once again, the comments lead us to the same facts over and over: A career is possible only with a richer partner to support the hobby job; many are forced to live with parents, as there is no possibility of buying or renting, and job insecurity is high; pensions and lack savings for future events are both worries; the limited opportunities for maternity leave and return impacts women more, the decision to have children or a career is very real concern. All these lead to a feeling of abandonment and thus many professionals leave the sector early, reducing the pool of talent for the higher grade posts. These posts are seen as carrying more responsibility for very little reward, and we see individuals ‘stuck’ on a level that does not allow much room for advancement.
Concerted and coherent
CIfA Benchmarking and the single BAJR salary minima, has lead to a more concerted and coherent effort to pull ourselves out of the ever-increasing gap between affordable pay rises and the cost of living.
People are still struggling in sectors of the profession: with mental health concerns a real concern; and it is clear that both management and staff have noted the gap between the lower and upper grades have decreased, meaning you get more work and stress for only a small increase in remuneration.
As ever, there is hope, with base salaries rising to meet the cost of living (before benefits and bonus schemes): Cotswold Archaeology, Oxford Archaeology, Archaeology Warwickshire and PCA and York Archaeology have already announced G2 salaries over £28,000 – some significantly, several others are in the process of examining salaries and conditions to help make a difference, make sure your company is one of them.
Invisible benefits can make a difference
Progression, reward, base level salary and job security. Is it too much to ask? It is also important to point out that in 2026/2027 BAJR will be working harder to gather better data from companies about the ‘invisible benefits’ that can make a massive difference to quality of life and futures. From pension provision to health care, and bonus schemes or increased subsistence, training and paid travel time as well as a greater recognition of mental health and wellbeing.
Once again, this report, data and analysis can act as the catalyst for us all to work together to make a profession that is worth the time, effort and money that each person has invested into becoming an archaeologist.
RESOURCES:
Main PIR Report 2025 (pdf)
Survey questions (pdf)
Raw Data – Identifying details removed (xlsx)
Survey Commentss 2025(pdf)
the 2022 Report is available here
Archaeologists in Financial Crisis – BAJR Survey 2022 | BAJR
the 2024Report is available here
Archaeologists in Financial Crisis – BAJR Survey 2024 | BAJR
Selected Comments
“..having to rely on universal credit and pip since becoming disabled and being laid off by my last employer.”
“ [I] will forever be dogged by the debt incurred trying to stay in archaeology.”
“ ..without benefits and without food bank systems we would have been in real trouble. “
“ I struggle to make ends meet. My current rent alone is more than half my salary. “
“ I think of leaving this industry everyday knowing my partner and i can’t buy our first home have children on our wages. “
“ I can’t currently and probably never will be able to buy my own home.“
The continuing rise in the cost of living is affecting everyone, so CIfA has also gathered together useful information and links on some of the Practical support CIfA can offer.
