Salary guidelines
Low pay is widely recognised as a major problem for the sector. Museum pay is falling behind that of comparable sectors, and is barely keeping up with the cost of living.
To address this issue the MA produced best practice salary guidelines and, originating from the MA's 2004 survey into pay in the sector, these have now been updated for 2009 in line with inflation and current trends.
The guidelines are intended as a practical document to be used when setting starting salaries for museums posts. They can also be used as an advocacy tool to raise the issue of pay with employers and funding bodies.
A number of sector organisations have voiced their support for the guidelines, including the Heritage Lottery Fund, National Museum Directors' Conference, Museums Libraries and Archives Council and the Association for Independent Museums.
Carole Souter, Director of the Heritage Lottery Fund, said: 'The MA salary guidelines will be of immediate practical help to everyone in museums and galleries planning new posts within a capital or activity project.'
The guidelines include suggested salaries for a range of museum posts, and comparisons of salaries of similar posts in related sectors. They seek to raise awareness of the issues surrounding pay within museums and generally improve levels of pay within the sector.
They are intended to be of use to all UK museums, whether large nationals with over 500 staff or small independents with one paid member of staff. Regardless of the type of museum or job title, it is knowledge, experience and most importantly responsibilities that should determine salaries.
The MA is committed to continuing research and consultation in this area; the work began with the Pay in Museums report in 2004, continued with draft salary guidelines in 2005, and progressed to salary guidelines 2006 and 2007 and has now been updated for 2009.
The guidelines will continue to be updated annually, with salary figures reviewed in line with inflation and current trends. The most up-to-date figures and information will be available on this website.
A follow-up pay survey of the sector is intended in the near future, to analyse the effect of the guidelines and keep abreast of current trends of pay. The MA welcomes comments, particularly from those who have used the document as an advocacy tool or as a practical guide for setting salaries.
Any queries should be directed to Charlotte Holmes, the MA's Museum Development Officer: charlotte@museumsassociation.org
To address this issue the MA produced best practice salary guidelines and, originating from the MA's 2004 survey into pay in the sector, these have now been updated for 2009 in line with inflation and current trends.
The guidelines are intended as a practical document to be used when setting starting salaries for museums posts. They can also be used as an advocacy tool to raise the issue of pay with employers and funding bodies.
A number of sector organisations have voiced their support for the guidelines, including the Heritage Lottery Fund, National Museum Directors' Conference, Museums Libraries and Archives Council and the Association for Independent Museums.
Carole Souter, Director of the Heritage Lottery Fund, said: 'The MA salary guidelines will be of immediate practical help to everyone in museums and galleries planning new posts within a capital or activity project.'
The guidelines include suggested salaries for a range of museum posts, and comparisons of salaries of similar posts in related sectors. They seek to raise awareness of the issues surrounding pay within museums and generally improve levels of pay within the sector.
They are intended to be of use to all UK museums, whether large nationals with over 500 staff or small independents with one paid member of staff. Regardless of the type of museum or job title, it is knowledge, experience and most importantly responsibilities that should determine salaries.
The MA is committed to continuing research and consultation in this area; the work began with the Pay in Museums report in 2004, continued with draft salary guidelines in 2005, and progressed to salary guidelines 2006 and 2007 and has now been updated for 2009.
The guidelines will continue to be updated annually, with salary figures reviewed in line with inflation and current trends. The most up-to-date figures and information will be available on this website.
A follow-up pay survey of the sector is intended in the near future, to analyse the effect of the guidelines and keep abreast of current trends of pay. The MA welcomes comments, particularly from those who have used the document as an advocacy tool or as a practical guide for setting salaries.
Any queries should be directed to Charlotte Holmes, the MA's Museum Development Officer: charlotte@museumsassociation.org
