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The anonymous survey is closed, but you can check it out here: https://forms.gle/iUpNYugHjsMMLzvV6
Survey created by/ data managed by Sarah Marsom aka Dismantle Preservation. THANK YOU for helping cultivate a transparent historic preservation/ public history field. Please reach out to me@sarahmarsom.com if you have any questions This is a living/breathing document.. Q: Want to use this data in your work? A: Amazing, please credit accordingly Q: Wrote a paper that used this data? A: Great, email Sarah a copy of it
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Timestamp
Region
Job Title - feel free to fudge if needed for anonymity
Sector
Current Salary or Hourly Rate w/ projected annual income
How many years have you worked in preservation?
Anything else you'd like to share?
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12/6/2022 15:57:03MidAtlanticProgram ManagerGovernment11038413thank you!
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12/6/2022 16:03:02MidwestDirector, PreservationNonprofit97,0008Large org (100+ employees)
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12/6/2022 16:26:07SouthwestHistorianGovernment8800015GS-12 in Santa Fe, NM doesn’t go far, unfortunately. Cost of living is comparable to Denver, but paid 10k less. We can’t retain people.
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12/6/2022 16:37:41MidwestInterpreterGovernment$23,000, before taxesTwoTotal “salary” between two seasonal jobs, one worked summer season and one winter. Only summer season job offers benefits. (annual/sick leave, healthcare, etc.)
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12/6/2022 17:02:38SoutheastMaterials Conservator Government$72,00019I supervise others as well.
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12/6/2022 17:10:45WestArchitectural HistorianPrivate65,0004So glad that this information is being compiled!
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12/6/2022 17:22:20Midwest
Interior designer who focuses on preservation and restoration vs. renovation
Private$60,00010I work part time and own my own small design business.
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12/6/2022 17:41:12WestSenior Planner - Historic Preservation Government72,5005 yearsI work half time as a current planner
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12/6/2022 18:15:17SoutheastPreservation ManagerNonprofit480002 yearsI left this position at a small nonprofit a couple of months ago and recently (yesterday!) accepted a job as a Program Manager at a national organization starting in a couple of weeks. My salary will increase to $60,000. Benefits will include cheaper and more comprehensive health insurance, more PTO, and the ability to work remotely
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12/6/2022 18:17:14NortheastHeritage ArchitectPrivate65000215 days vacation
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12/6/2022 18:53:14MidwestArchitectural Historian IIPrivate560003No
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12/6/2022 19:10:43MidwestPreservation PlannerGovernment56,0004Plus 8 years of other and/or relevant experience.
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12/6/2022 19:14:32MidwestMuseum Operations ManagerNonprofit38,5002No long working here
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12/6/2022 19:37:15NorthwestHistoric Architect Private83,000/yr20How do I get the results?
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12/6/2022 20:03:02NortheastCommunications DirectorNonprofit$67,0004only one 3% raise in 4 years 🤬
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12/6/2022 20:05:08SoutheastSenior Architectural HistorianPrivate70,5005No
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12/6/2022 20:20:35MidAtlanticArchitect Project Manager Private72,0006Licensed architect working on historic structure reports and historic rehabilitation projects
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12/6/2022 20:40:30SouthwestHeritage Preservation OfficerGovernment$80,00040I am also a Planner and Architect in this position. (Filling this out for my husband who has no social media). This is the most money I’ve made in 4 decades.
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12/6/2022 20:43:20MidwestDevelopment and Operations ManagerNonprofit49,0004Honestly, I wish they would hire another person so we could be more successful - as it is, I’m only one person doing 2+ jobs.
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12/6/2022 21:08:45MidAtlanticassociate director Nonprofit$72,000
7ish on and off and 5 consistently
My non profit isn’t 100% preservation so feel free to disregard, but we do historic research as a large part of our mission. I guess we’d be a “public history” NP as opposed to preservation but felt it might be worth contributing.
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12/6/2022 21:12:33WestCity planner Government94,00010Switching from non profit to govt work was the way decision I ever made. My salary doubled immediately
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12/6/2022 21:15:08WestArchitectural HistorianPrivate60,0004CRM
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12/6/2022 21:40:16MidwestCultural Resource Specialist Private$72,800 per year
2 full time with previous volunteer/part time gigs
-
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12/6/2022 22:05:29MidAtlanticPreservation Director Nonprofit$52,00012No thanks
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12/6/2022 22:11:29MidAtlanticHistoric Preservation SpecialistGovernment78,00010+Up for promotion, unclear on new salary
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12/6/2022 22:36:02WestArchitectural HistorianPrivate67,5001.5 yearsCA has state income tax to take into consideration and also cost of living in a major coastal city
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12/6/2022 22:42:12Westarchitectural historianPrivate68,0003n/a
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12/7/2022 0:38:27SouthwestHistoric Preservation SpecialistGovernment$54,4005Thanks for compiling this info!
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12/7/2022 1:36:15NorthwestHistorical architectGovernment87,00015NPS
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12/7/2022 7:50:42MidwestTax Incentive Manager - SHPOGovernment$51,00015Current job I’ve held for 7 years.
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12/7/2022 8:14:56MidwestPreservation specialist Private47,0007Masters degree. Combined experience is archaeo and preservation consulting
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12/7/2022 8:49:59NortheastSr Program Manager, Historic PresNonprofit$70k5Position is based in Boston, second highest rent right now behind NYC :/
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12/7/2022 9:38:30MidwestDirector Nonprofit$90,00026 yearsSometimes titles don't tell the whole job description. Perhaps a follow up question is to describe to job area?? My title is Director of Reinvestment (too specific to name above) which includes grants, easements and a reinvestment loan program. Thanks for doing this!!
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12/7/2022 10:09:46SoutheastPreservation PlannerGovernment69,0008No
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12/7/2022 10:28:35SoutheastPreservation Planner Government
75k, full benefits, hybrid schedule
3 years- full timeIn a high cost of living area
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12/7/2022 10:29:32MidAtlanticHistorianPrivate$67,00010Only have a BA presently
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12/7/2022 10:38:31MidAtlanticSenior plannerGovernment5598412Government jobs generally pay less but have good benefits. But benefits don't buy houses. It's hard to practice what you preach if you can't afford to buy a house to preserve.
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12/7/2022 10:41:36NortheastProgram CoordinatorNonprofit50k1.5BA in Architecture and MS in HP, 50k in student loan debt
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12/7/2022 10:44:08MidwestProgram ManagerGovernment$70,00010Work just updated salaries and introduced new positions to better align with cost of living and the national average.
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12/7/2022 10:48:25SoutheastSenior Archaeologist Private7200015MA
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12/7/2022 10:56:00NorthwestDevelopment Project Coordinator Government7000010I also do freelance work and make about $35,000 a year casually outside of my primary job
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12/7/2022 11:13:43MidwestSection 106 ReviewerGovernment45,0006.5First full time HP job, no opportunities for performance based raises, COL raises are determined by state legislature
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12/7/2022 11:23:25NortheastArchitectural Historian (mid-level)Private$67k8-10Started in the field making approximately $35k at entry level. Significant COL/annual raises and promotion from entry level to get to current rate. And it took six figures of student debt to get there, sadly.
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12/7/2022 11:27:00Great PlainsState Tax Credit ReviewerNonprofit$49,595<1BA and MSHP, first job fresh out of grad school, my org did a compensation equity survey recently and determined that my "market rate" is $27/hr (I'm currently around $23.80) but the budget isn't there to get me there yet but "when the money is there" they'll try.
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12/7/2022 11:45:14MidAtlanticArchitectural DesignerPrivate70,0003Dual degree M Arch/MHP
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12/7/2022 13:30:56NorthwestCommunications CoordinatorNonprofit$53,0001.5Thanks for the work you do!
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12/7/2022 13:38:12SouthwestSenior Cultural Resources ManagerGovernment10800025No, thank you
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12/7/2022 13:55:19NortheastDirector of PreservationNonprofit$70,00014Have been at my current organization for 12 years. Started at $32,000 and have had to advocate constantly for pay increases that were more substantial than 2-3%.
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12/7/2022 13:59:11MidAtlantic
Architectural History and Cultural Landscapes Team Lead
Private96,00013Thanks for collecting this data!
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12/7/2022 14:00:50MidAtlantic
Assistant Professor of HP and Director of an HP graduate program
Nonprofit68,80016Thanks!
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12/7/2022 14:09:01MidAtlantic
Associate Manager (administrative and logistics support for a nonprofit with a portfolio of historic sites)
Nonprofit$34,726 (21 hours/week) 4.5The above prorated rate was calculated from a prior full time position. I requested the reduced hours to pursue simultaneous educational opportunities.
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12/7/2022 14:43:11MidwestProgram Officer Nonprofit850003No
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12/7/2022 14:44:27SouthwestArchaeologistGovernment84,00026No
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12/7/2022 14:49:15MidwestHistoric tax credit reviewer Nonprofit25/hour5N/A
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12/7/2022 15:11:13SouthwestArchaeologist Private21.00 /hr11We all need to be paid more.
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12/7/2022 15:43:13MidwestArchitectural Historian - Section 106 SHPOGovernment48,0005-7Nope.
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12/7/2022 15:43:27SouthwestPreservation Project Manager/ArchaeologistGovernment73,81824NA
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12/7/2022 15:55:08SouthwestEnvironmental Professional 4Government122,00014I’m a contractor for the DOE and manage cultural resources.
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12/7/2022 16:04:12SouthwestLab Director / Field Director Private66,00020My wages had been rather stagnant for years but I managed to leverage some circumstances to result in a couple of separate pay bumps in 2022
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12/7/2022 16:12:39SouthwestArchaeologistGovernment60k/year10Gov benefits are a plus
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12/7/2022 16:13:49SouthwestLaboratory DirectorPrivate58,00010The listed salary is based on an hourly rate of just under $28/hr
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12/7/2022 16:17:23SouthwestArchaeolgist Government69,6286NA
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12/7/2022 16:30:56NortheastPreservation PlannerPrivate70,5009AICP certified
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12/7/2022 16:36:02MidwestStaff ArchaeologistGovernment385003Indiana State Job requiring Bachelors and 3 years experience
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12/7/2022 16:36:56Southwest
Archaeologist (Field Director/Principle Investigator)
Private60,00015M.A., RPA. Primary duties include supervising fieldwork, report writing, and assisting with RFPs.
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12/7/2022 16:52:12SouthwestArchaeologist/Compliance Specialist Government$66,650/yr25Left a higher-salaried gov position because it was a toxic workplace. Was firm in negotiating current salary based on experience and demonstrated expertise (lower pay, but much better environment). Have long felt that wages/salaries in CRM should be higher given the stated responsibilities, expectations (knowledge, skills, and abilities), and educational requirements, in addition to sheer volume of industry work.
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12/7/2022 16:53:55SouthwestAssistant District ArcheologistGovernment550006Nope
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12/7/2022 17:17:13SouthwestArchivistNonprofit55,000/yr10 yearsNo
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12/7/2022 17:18:34SoutheastCommunity Engagement ManagerNonprofit570004Museum employee in DC
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12/7/2022 19:17:27SouthwestArchaeologistPrivate168000>40Use the cargo net approach not the career ladder approach, write as much as you can and solicit feedback, be kind to all, don't sweat bullshit, don't be gaslighted by anyone
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12/7/2022 19:24:57SouthwestStaff archaeologistPrivate21.58No
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12/7/2022 19:47:17SouthwestSr. Project ManagerPrivate100,0008Fieldwork, biz dev, and heavy PM
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12/7/2022 19:48:03SouthwestField TechnicianPrivate41,0001.5Field tech
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12/7/2022 20:58:53Northeast
Don’t want to give exact title for anonymity, but basically I’m the head of the preservation/policy side of a preservation nonprofit
Nonprofit85,00024This job represented a huge pay increase for me after many years the 45-60K range (nonprofit and for-profit)
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12/7/2022 21:58:57SouthwestSenior ArchaeologisPrivate7300020No
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12/7/2022 22:13:16MidwestAssociate conservator Nonprofit50,00016Recent masters graduate
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12/7/2022 22:25:27MidAtlanticConservatorPrivate650005No
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12/7/2022 23:08:04SoutheastCultural resources managerGovernment$80k yr2718 years with state
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12/7/2022 23:11:39WestEducational MediaNonprofit12600016Was facing gendered pay gap until my new boss - first female boss in my career - got me adjusted last year.
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12/7/2022 23:57:18SouthwestSenior ArchaeologistPrivate9600025
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12/8/2022 4:49:54WestConservation apprenticePrivate9,0002-
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12/8/2022 7:40:54SoutheastProject ManagerGovernment122,00017Bachelor of Landscape Architecture; Master of Science in Historic Preservation. GS-14 with federal government.
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12/8/2022 10:02:41WestArchitectural Historian Private
$45,000, but I'm hourly at $22.5/hour
2Masters in History
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12/8/2022 10:31:05WestArchitectural HistorianPrivate
$61,000 annually plus bonuses
Less than 4I have a BA in Architectural History and no MA/MS
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12/8/2022 10:51:53MidAtlanticCultural Reaource Program ManagerGovernment$126k13No
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12/8/2022 11:57:22SoutheastHistoric Preservation Specialist in CRMPrivate$19 hourly8BFA in HP (currently in school for MA with partial tuition assistance from employer) left undergrad with 6 figure debt from SCAD
89
12/8/2022 12:11:26SouthwestSenior Architectural HistorianPrivate73,00013Pros: four weeks paid vacation, paid sick leave, generous 401k match, bonuses based on company profit, work from home. Cons: can be stressful at times with deadlines/heavy workflow/needing to be billable. No paid health insurance.
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12/8/2022 12:14:50MidAtlanticProject ManagerNonprofit63,0005No retirement Benefits
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12/8/2022 12:22:21SoutheastSupervisory ArchaeologistNonprofit500008Thanks for creating a greater conversation about salaries in archaeology!
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12/8/2022 12:40:22Southwest
Architectural Intern / Historic Preservation Specialist
Private$64,0008I have worked both government and private sector. We all know government is behind on salary levels, but private sector preservation can be, too. Especially when compared with other architecture firms not doing preservation work.
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12/8/2022 12:57:22WestArchitectural historian Private72,0008Paid 2 week vacation and holidays, decent medical benefits, Simple IRA with 2% company match, and end of the year profit sharing bonus (usually between 5 and 10K).

I work for a small (10 full time employees) local CRM firm. I definitely don't think I'd have it this good if I worked for one of the big guys.
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12/8/2022 13:02:33WestArchitectural Historian Private530007Nope!
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12/8/2022 14:13:47MidAtlanticBusiness Development Government1090001My position is preservation-adjacent. I work in planning/Econ dev which supports adaptive reuse projects in the city.
96
12/8/2022 14:34:24MidwestConservation InternPrivate19 hourly2No!
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12/8/2022 15:38:06NorthwestArchitectural HistorianPrivate$87,00015No thank you
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12/8/2022 15:50:32MidAtlanticpreservation librarianGovernment749502.5on the general pay scale for federal employees
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12/8/2022 15:55:48MidwestPreventive ConservatorNonprofit55,00012n/a
100
12/8/2022 16:07:17MidAtlanticPreventive ConservatorNonprofit63,00021As a field we should be advocating for consistent titling for support staff. Lower level positions often have unique to organization titling and they are not covered by professional salary surveys. It is my perception this lack of consistent titling prevents these positions from being formally surveyed. This is mostly true in folks who have titles like gallery assistant, conservation assistant, etc. It makes it very difficult for someone with these titles to advocate for better pay, especially when they are told to find a similar position and its listed salary range at another institution.