Heritage manager : Salary and conditions

• The sector is generally regarded as low paying. Seasonal, holiday, non-graduate related posts are usually paid the minimum wage and above.
• Basic entry or trainee level roles not requiring a postgraduate qualification: £16,000 - £19,250.
• Postgraduate entry level roles: £19,750 - £23,750.
• Roles requiring two to three years' experience, knowledge and expertise in a specific field for candidates probably working towards a PhD: £24,250 - 26,750.
• Roles that involve strategic responsibilities or advocacy, etc.: £26,750 - £31,250.
• Posts requiring a PhD and substantial knowledge, skills and experience: £31,250 - £36,250.
• Senior management roles: £31,250 - £42,250.
• Director/chief executive posts: £42,500 - £68,750 plus.
• There can be early starts and late finishes. You can expect to work unsocial hours if employed at visitor attractions that are open at weekends, or for evening events or filming.
• Most jobs are office based, but many heritage sites include unusual historic buildings and are open air, so guided tours and special activities may take place out of doors.
• Self-employment is uncommon, although there is some scope for consultancy work at a senior level. Private consultants and specialists, such as bid writers, can earn around £250+ a day. Part-time work, job sharing and career breaks are possible.
• The gender split within the cultural heritage workforce is roughly equal, with 51% men and 49% women (Creative and Cultural Skills, 2011).
• Jobs are available across the UK in both urban and rural locations.
• Some jobs, for example in marketing, collection management or conservation, involve a variable amount of travel to sites within a region or to attend national meetings, including overnight stays. Area managers with national organisations may spend a significant proportion of their time travelling, whereas managers of museums in an urban local authority would be centrally based.

All salary data from the Museums Association (MA) , 2009.