Archaeologists’ Salaries in the UK

1. Doug Rocks-Macqueen: Landward Research Ltd, University of Edinburgh Averages Vs. Distribution Averages are a good indication of possible salaries but they can be influenced by outlying figures. The table below represents the distribution of advertised starting pay offered for different positions. Most are close to the adverised averages but project managers are heavily influenced by two positions that offer a advertised starting pay of at least £37,000. Other positions with wide distributions include both Junior and Senior CRM/SMR, specialists, and conservators. • Introduction • This poster presents the advertised salaries of archaeologists working in the United Kingdom between 1994-2011. The specific positions examined are: • Excavator • Supervisor • Field Officer • Project Manager • Junior CRM/SMR • Senior CRM/SMR • Specialist • Conservator (NEW for 2008-2010 data- split from specialist) • Illustrator / graphics officer • Consultant (From 2005) Archaeologists’ Salaries in the UK Improvement in Advertised Pay Conditions In the last 15 years there has been improvement in advertised pay conditions among all positions. Improvement being measured as pay now compared to what pay would have been had it followed inflation from a set year (1994, 2000, 2005). Example: Excavators average pay offered in 1994 was £ 8,7421if it followed inflation the rate would now be £ 13,283 but it is currently £ 16,284. Not all advertised pay improvements occurred at the same time (see graph above) excavators pay improved in the late 1990’s but have stayed flat over the last ten years. Other positions have seen huge jumps in the last 5 years after staying flat for the preceding ten e.g. Field Officer, Project Manager. IfA Membership and Jobs The Graph below represents the number of jobs that mention the IfA membership as ether a required or desired qualification. This is only for the latest job postings in 2010. The Graph below represents the average salaries between 1994-2010 2008-2010 Data The majority of the 2008-2010 data can be accessed online as a series of Google maps. The website is: http://dougsarchaeology.wordpress.com/job-conditions-in-the-uk/ Methods The data for the years 2008-2010 was collected from the IfA Jobs Information Service bulletins posted during that period. Years are not calendar years but finical years running from April 1st – March 31st. The data from 1994-2007 was obtained from previous reports using the IfA Jobs Information Service bulletinspostings (see references). Jobs and Posts- From the IfA Jobs Information Service bulletin if a posting advertised for multiple jobs then the number of jobs advertised was counted not the number of job posts. Average Pay- If ranges are given then the mid-point is taken to represent an average e.g. Project Archaeologists pay 20,000-22,000, the average is taken to be 21,000. Inflation- The RPI (Retail Price Index) is used to determine inflation. • References • Aitchison, K. R. & Anderson S. M. 1995, Jobs in British • Archaeology The Field Archaeologists No 22 Spring. • Tuner, R. 1996, Jobs in British Archaeology • The Field Archaeologists No 25 Spring • Tuner, R. 1997, Jobs in British Archaeology • The Archaeologists No 29 Summer • Tuner, R. 1998, Jobs in British Archaeology • The Archaeologists No 31 Spring • Tuner, R. 1999, Jobs in British Archaeology • The Archaeologists No 34 Spring • Malcolm, G. 2001, Jobs in British Archaeology • The Archaeologists No 37 Spring • Malcolm, G. 2001, Jobs in British Archaeology • The Archaeologists No 40 Spring • Drummond-Murray, J. 2002, Jobs in British Archaeology • The Archaeologists No 43 Winter • Drummond-Murray, J. 2003, Jobs in British Archaeology • The Archaeologists No 47 Winter • Drummond-Murray, J. 2004, Jobs in British Archaeology • The Archaeologists No 51 Winter • Drummond-Murray, J. 2005, Jobs in British Archaeology • The Archaeologists No 56 Spring • Drummond-Murray, J. 2006, Jobs in British Archaeology • The Archaeologists No 59 Spring • Drummond-Murray, J. 2007, Jobs in British Archaeology • The Archaeologists No 66 Winter • Drummond-Murray, J. 2008, Jobs in British Archaeology • The Archaeologists No 68 Summer * The numbers for 2011 are what pay should be to keep up with the previous year’s inflation.