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26th November 2011, 04:21 PM
kevin wooldridge Wrote:I think to be fair to Ken Whittaker he does preface his contribution with the caveat that he is only suggesting a rate that matches archaeological salaries with those of comparable industries.....
...whilst I think there is some scope for variation of salaries around a mean figure I am a little surprised that no-one so far has suggested that the 'average' UK archaeological wage shouldn't at least equal the average UK wage i.e ?30,800 per year. That of course means if you have a lot of practitioners earning below that level, there must be a minority earning some way above it to make the law of averages work. If you took as a rough estimate that there are c4000 archaeologists at work in the UK,and say 2000 of those are on ?20,000 and 1000 are on ?25000, the remaining thousand would have to be earning close to ?60,000 a year just to make the average archaeology wage the same as the average UK wage.
So I am not so sure that Ken's figures are too far off what ought to be a reasonable aim for the profession. That is a dignity wage that equals the UK average wage. (I am of course talking fantasy aspiration here.....)
Comparable industry is quite a relative term though.
Also, how are the average national salaries worked out? I know graduates earning equally crap wages, but at the same time others earning massive amounts. So if it is just a mean amount it might be a bit meaningless.
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26th November 2011, 10:53 PM
a) 18-20k, b)25k c)30-35k d)40k+
Think the main aspect is to ensure some sort of progression after the first few years, when most of us probably tolerated low wages/short contracts, so people aren't forced out the industry. The key one in my view being what do we expect people to earn after 10 years, ie for many people probably when they're in late 20's/early 30's, looking to get a decent spouse/house/car/kids (order may change). At that point I think ?30k+ is perfectly reasonable provided you've shown some personal development beyond just being an out an out digger. For a pure site grunt I think something around 22-25k, even in fantasy world is going to be your limit.
Quote:loupiote
[INDENT] I'd be more than happy if I could start my career at 20000. Or 18000. Or even 15000, for that matter. I'd be happy if I could manage to nail a first job at all. With a bit of added training, because sadly I can't afford to go on four-week digs without getting paid a penny anymore, so my trowelling is getting a bit rusty.
and therein lies the problem. Not enough work and people willing to accept sub-standard wages. I'm sorry Loupiote, but if you know how to hold a trowel and move dirt from one place to another then please don't accept any digging jobs at 15k, its not good for any of us.
[/INDENT]
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26th November 2011, 11:18 PM
RedEarth Wrote:Comparable industry is quite a relative term though.
Just seen an interesting piece in the Guardian about wages, which was suggesting that construction site manager average was 41K. So if that is a comparable industry is that perhaps the answer? Either way, I think the notion of ever reaching 70K plus is pretty unlikely!
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27th November 2011, 08:24 PM
We cant depressed about it.
It's only a destination, if we dont think out of the box.
A modern tragedy is only something in a contemporary culture that you cant stop looking at.
Pessimism serves only to serve its self, so look forward and enjoy.
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27th November 2011, 10:02 PM
Marcus Brody Wrote:I've got a friend who used to work for a medium-sized contracting unit who says that he had the impression that his managers considered finding stuff to be a bit of a nuisance. He said that when he got back to the office at the end of the day and listed off all the possible features he'd identified, he was often surprised that there was little enthusiasm. He put this down to the management having tendered on the basis that nothing much would be found, so every additional day or person he asked for on site was a potential loss of profit - suffice to say, he doesn't work for them any more!
.................nor do I !!...............and there are more than one of these outfits at it (I shall not be naming names) ..........
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28th November 2011, 12:47 AM
In my expereince it can be a mixed bag. But to be honest, thats all too far up the food chain to know anything about.
As for managers 'someone' who goes around telling people that they stay on in an unofficial capacity in the industry to see something through says alot.
Maybe people dont go around pointing out things that they may, or may not do, but as from now its more leadership and grit that will get you through the day.
at the end of the day you can live your life how you see fit
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28th November 2011, 01:18 PM
Bodger51 Wrote:In my expereince it can be a mixed bag. But to be honest, thats all too far up the food chain to know anything about.
As for managers 'someone' who goes around telling people that they stay on in an unofficial capacity in the industry to see something through says alot.
Maybe people dont go around pointing out things that they may, or may not do, but as from now its more leadership and grit that will get you through the day.
at the end of the day you can live your life how you see fit
I get it now: Bodger... and BAJR. Which one of you is it that loves mashed potato?
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28th November 2011, 02:14 PM
Of course it's not something I'd want to do. But if it's between that and never get a job I like or am interested in, of course I'll take a job with shit wages. If only to be able to write on my CV that I did get a first job in archaeology. I'd probably be a bit more greedy for subsequent jobs, though.
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28th November 2011, 02:46 PM
loupiote Wrote:Of course it's not something I'd want to do. But if it's between that and never get a job I like or am interested in, of course I'll take a job with shit wages. If only to be able to write on my CV that I did get a first job in archaeology. I'd probably be a bit more greedy for subsequent jobs, though.
its hard to see how anybody in this line of work can be considered greedy - unless its those expansionist uber units intent on market dominance and world domination}
If they can get you asking the wrong questions, they don't have to worry about answers
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28th November 2011, 08:39 PM
loupiote Wrote:Of course it's not something I'd want to do. But if it's between that and never get a job I like or am interested in, of course I'll take a job with shit wages. If only to be able to write on my CV that I did get a first job in archaeology. I'd probably be a bit more greedy for subsequent jobs, though.
I think therefore you should enter the fun and suggest what you would consider to be 'fantasy' wage that would fit your circumstances
With peace and consolation hath dismist, And calm of mind all passion spent...
