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Job Market thread.



Title: Job Market thread.

Colleagues,

I am not on the listserv but this thread has been brought to my attention by colleagues around the country.  I have now read all of the postings on this topic by visiting the listserv archives.  It has been overall and excellent and very interesting discussion on the many facets of the job market for archivists.

Instead of a negative state of affairs for archivists, however, I find the market is incredibly positive.  If archivists are finally able to turn down jobs because salaries are simply too low then that means two things: 1) archivists have more choices and offers than ever before which means it is a strong job market and 2) only by refusing to take these low paying jobs will employers finally raise salaries which they are -- albeit slowly.

How do I know?  There are statistics available to show this.  First, the Society of American Archivists conducted a salary survey in December 1996.  The results are posted on SAA's website and you can find it by typing "salary survey" in the 'search' box. 

Secondly, the Academy of Certified Archivists conducted a survey of members in January of 1999 that was compared to a similar survey done in 1989.  Since the results from that survey won't be up on the ACA's website until sometime in April, I will summarize those results for you here:

First, about the respondents:  58% had been in the profession at least ten years, so the salary averages are skewed somewhat to the experienced archivist.  On the other hand, the percentage increase by type of institution over ten years shows clearly that gains are being made -- and in surprising areas. 

The survey was answered by 444 certified archivists, or 72% of the membership of the ACA. Of the respondents, 8.3% had a bachelor's degree, 74% a master's and 17% a doctorate.  Of the master's degrees, 150 had the MA, 6 had an MBA, 80 had the MLS or equivalent, 94 had a double master's with the MLS as one of those.  Of the total respondents, 60% did not have the MLS.

404 answered the salary question which was based on 1998 income.  56% earned more than $41,000; 25% earned in the $31,000-$40,999 bracket.  The 1998 median salary was $55,000 and the mean was $44,725. 

As in 1989, women dominated the lower salaries.  However, in the very highest salary bracket (more than $101,000) 3 women and 1 man reported for 1998). 

Corporate archivists reported the highest average salaries: $50,933 in 1998.  Government (which included local, state and federal) averaged $49,800; "Other" which included medical centers and consultants, averaged $49,000. Academia averaged $42,600; libraries and museums averaged $38,461; religious archives averaged $37,250; historical societies averaged $36,400 and private repositories averaged $28,500.

Over the ten years between surveys, Academic salaries increased the most in percentages: up 29% over 1989 salaries.  Government and corporate archivists gained 17-20% over ten years.  Private repositories reported the lowest salaries in 1989 at $26,000.  Not only do they remain the lowest average salaries, but over ten years their salaries barely moved upwards.

It is clearly up to managers and administrators of archives, no matter what the type of institution, to continue arguing for better salaries -- never give up, it is up to us in these positions to make the case.  I know of institutions that have been able to get automatic increases in salaries for archivists who become certified after they are hired; other institutions have also been able to get bonuses for certification.  That is one avenue to increase salaries and show professionalism to employing institutions. 

As to repostings and what employers are looking for?  Flexibility, creativity, willingness to learn, evidence of managing your archival education well by interning in many types of institutions (yes, it counts).  I totally agree with Richard Cox that the archivist who looks at the profession in a broader sense, (records management, knowledge management, information management) will get my and my employers attention when we are hiring. 

And as for the corporate world -- I have worked in a public library, academia and corporate.  I have never felt so needed and so able to make a difference anywhere as I do in the corporate world.  I am well rewarded for taking the risk -- we have no guarantees of lifetime work after all and justify our existence annually.  That is not a bad thing in any type of institution - it enables us to prove to our employers that we are professionals, that we do make a difference on a regular basis and are deserving of better income.

I hope the above is helpful.

Susan

Susan C. Maclin, CA (formerly Susan Box)
Corporate Archivist and
Curator of Special Properties
72 Wall St., 10th Floor
NYC, NY  10005
PH:  (212)770-6039
Fax: (212)797-5460