My experience is that even apples for apples that it doesn't really equal
out, but then again it is of course subjective and I am in NY.
Not only are there regional variations in salaries in the US, but it has
been a surprise to me, coming from a fairly structured wage system, how
variations of $5,000 - $15,000 and more can happen for the one position,
depending on many factors. I am talking about other fields in the US as
well, not only Museums. It is very different.
My comment about what NZ are paid - I am sure wages are good, as they are in
Aust. Both countries have a high standard of living in the world scale of
things. I was really thinking of some of the extreme wages here in the US
for fields such as finance etc. (Are there more than 24 hours a day in other
fields?)
The thought of Museum workers being paid to much made me smile!

Melissa Neidorf
Associate Coordinator of Exhibitions
Museum of Jewish Heritage

> -----Original Message-----
> From: McManus,Greg [SMTP:[log in to unmask]]
> Sent: Wednesday, September 22, 1999 4:28 PM
> To:   [log in to unmask]
> Subject:      Re: Development Director
>
> The exchange rate is irrelevant when comparing salaries in different
> countries unless you plan to actually exchange your currency. In terms of
> cost of living it is apples for apples - i.e. US$40,000 buys roughly the
> same in the US as NZ or AU $40,000 buys in those respective countries,
> although I accept the comments from others about regional differences in
> the
> US which is probably true of other countries to a greater or lesser
> extent.
> It is safe to say, however, that our Marketing & Development Officer would
> much rather have the standard of living that her NZ$40,000 buys her here
> than what US$18,000 could buy her in rural Wisconsin or anywhere else for
> that matter.
>
> I'm not sure what you mean when you say that you don't think NZ could pay
> its staff too much unless you refer to the exchange rate (which is a
> misleading argument for the reason above)?? NZ museum salaries are
> generally
> very good compared to what I see in Aviso or the Museums Australia
> Jobsheet,
> which I guess explains why so many US and Australian museum workers apply
> (and frequently get) good jobs here.
>
> I didn't mean to start a big discussion, just my initial reaction to the
> salary offered for the job described prompted my question. I guess the job
> title was misleading also - not knowing anything about the museum or the
> location, the title Development Director implied to me that the museum was
> perhaps a lot bigger than it actually is and the person requirements in
> terms of experience and qualifications likewise suggested a position of
> greater worth than was offered.
>
> Anyway, an interesting conversation and thanks for those who replied
> offlist
> with your experiences and opinions.
>
> Greg
>
> Greg McManus
> Director
> Rotorua Museum of Art & History
> Te Whare Taonga O Te Arawa
> Government Gardens
> Rotorua
> NEW ZEALAND
> Tel.  64 7 349 4350
> Fax. 64 7 349 2819
> Mobile 025-2714328
> [log in to unmask]
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Melissa Neidorf [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
> Sent: Thursday, 23 September 1999 05:12
> To: [log in to unmask]
> Subject: Re: Development Director
>
>
> Dont forget the US$ conversion to NZ$. I am from Australia originally and
> it seems that in the US there is a extremely wide variation in the pay
> scales in Museum positions, most of it seems random after a while!
> Enterprise bargaining is the standard practice and there is a range, but
> compared to wage structures like NZ and AUS, it is very different. I
> really
> don't think NZ could pay its staff too much.
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From:   Issaquah Historical Society Info [SMTP:[log in to unmask]]
> Sent:   Wednesday, September 22, 1999 12:09 PM
> To:     [log in to unmask]
> Subject:        Re: Development Director
>
> I'm hoping that this a part-time position! Even in the world of
> not-for-profits (perhaps *especially* in the world of not-for-profts!),
> Development Director is traditionally a high-paid (well, relative to other
> positions within the non-profit world...) position.  In my experience,
> Development Assistance salaries start at this range ($18K - $22K), with
> Development Associates in the $24 K -$28 K range and Development Directors
> starting at $30K-some and going as high as $60K - $80K depending on the
> size
> of the non-profit.
>
> Erica S. Maniez
> Museum Director, Issaquah Historical Society
> [log in to unmask]
>
> > -----Original Message-----
> > From: Museum discussion list [mailto:[log in to unmask]]On
> > Behalf Of William Thornton
> > Sent: Tuesday, September 21, 1999 4:18 PM
> > To: [log in to unmask]
> > Subject: Re: Development Director
> >
> >
> > Welcome to the world of not for profits....
> > Will Thornton
> >
> > >>> "McManus,Greg" <[log in to unmask]> 09/21 3:50 PM >>>
> > Forgive me if this is a stupid question, but is this salary for a
> > part-time
> > position or is it seriously the fulltime salary for the position/person
> > description described?? Is it a mistake?? If it is not a mistake
> > it is very
> > scary and I am completely out of touch with museum pay scales around the
> > world and we pay our staff way too much...
> >
>
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