Museums and the Salary Conundrum

Living Wage. When I put in the town where the jobs mentioned above were advertised, I discovered that if, as a newly-minted graduate, you are offered the starting salary of $29,500, you would make approximately $3 more per hour than that municipality's living wage. And the living wage is just that. You can cover your expenses, but that's it. Need I point out that the $24 per day in excess of your living wage won't allow for much in the way of a daily latte, drinks after work much less a new car payment? Part of good leadership is recognizing the value of staff. Good staff, happy and contented staff push organizations forward. They make change. They make things grow like endowments and visitation. Staff looking for their next (better paying) position aren't focused on their jobs. They are discontented, worried and cranky, and they always leave sooner than you expect them to. Why? Because they're discontented, worried and cranky. So...if you're thinking of starting a museum, don't hire unless you can pay someone better than a living wage. If you already run a museum, as a trustee or director, maybe it's time you had a frank discussion about salaries and how they do or do not drive your institution. And if you're in the job market, for goodness sake use the living wage calculator to find a baseline. To be really fulfilling a job should feed your soul and your bank account. And tell us what you think and how you're managing. Joan Baldwin