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Exhibit preparator vs art preparator

The differences between exhibit preparators and art preparators can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 2-4 years to become both an exhibit preparator and an art preparator. Additionally, an art preparator has an average salary of $59,856, which is higher than the $59,236 average annual salary of an exhibit preparator.

The top three skills for an exhibit preparator include museum exhibits, exhibition design and art objects. The most important skills for an art preparator are art exhibitions, art installation, and art preparation.

Exhibit preparator vs art preparator overview

Exhibit PreparatorArt Preparator
Yearly salary$59,236$59,856
Hourly rate$28.48$28.78
Growth rate12%12%
Number of jobs782,769
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 78%Bachelor's Degree, 71%
Average age4444
Years of experience44

Exhibit preparator vs art preparator salary

Exhibit preparators and art preparators have different pay scales, as shown below.

Exhibit PreparatorArt Preparator
Average salary$59,236$59,856
Salary rangeBetween $26,000 And $132,000Between $29,000 And $120,000
Highest paying City--
Highest paying state--
Best paying company--
Best paying industry--

Differences between exhibit preparator and art preparator education

There are a few differences between an exhibit preparator and an art preparator in terms of educational background:

Exhibit PreparatorArt Preparator
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 78%Bachelor's Degree, 71%
Most common majorFine ArtsFine Arts
Most common collegeHarvard UniversityHarvard University

Exhibit preparator vs art preparator demographics

Here are the differences between exhibit preparators' and art preparators' demographics:

Exhibit PreparatorArt Preparator
Average age4444
Gender ratioMale, 52.4% Female, 47.6%Male, 78.3% Female, 21.7%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 4.2% Unknown, 4.3% Hispanic or Latino, 5.2% Asian, 3.5% White, 81.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.2%Black or African American, 5.4% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 7.5% Asian, 3.5% White, 77.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.4%
LGBT Percentage13%13%

Differences between exhibit preparator and art preparator duties and responsibilities

Exhibit preparator example responsibilities.

  • Conduct tours of the anthropology and paleontology museums * Write/edit exhibit- and art show-relate materials
  • Control exhibits that require oversight in the financial department.

Art preparator example responsibilities.

  • Manage graphic arts department and camera and typesetting departments.
  • Work on set design and advance photo editing including color swapping and color correcting for commercial photography studio.
  • Generate quotes for custom screen print and embroidery projects that require art time and or outside service bureau charges.

Exhibit preparator vs art preparator skills

Common exhibit preparator skills
  • Museum Exhibits, 47%
  • Exhibition Design, 30%
  • Art Objects, 14%
  • Natural History, 9%
Common art preparator skills
  • Art Exhibitions, 34%
  • Art Installation, 21%
  • Art Preparation, 21%
  • Museum Standards, 15%
  • Condition Reports, 9%

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