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Exhibit preparator vs museum docent

The differences between exhibit preparators and museum docents 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 a museum docent. Additionally, an exhibit preparator has an average salary of $59,236, which is higher than the $40,630 average annual salary of a museum docent.

The top three skills for an exhibit preparator include museum exhibits, exhibition design and art objects. The most important skills for a museum docent are natural history, museum gift shop, and museum exhibits.

Exhibit preparator vs museum docent overview

Exhibit PreparatorMuseum Docent
Yearly salary$59,236$40,630
Hourly rate$28.48$19.53
Growth rate12%12%
Number of jobs7877
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 78%Bachelor's Degree, 81%
Average age4444
Years of experience44

Exhibit preparator vs museum docent salary

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

Exhibit PreparatorMuseum Docent
Average salary$59,236$40,630
Salary rangeBetween $26,000 And $132,000Between $24,000 And $67,000
Highest paying City--
Highest paying state--
Best paying company--
Best paying industry--

Differences between exhibit preparator and museum docent education

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

Exhibit PreparatorMuseum Docent
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 78%Bachelor's Degree, 81%
Most common majorFine ArtsHistory
Most common collegeHarvard UniversityHarvard University

Exhibit preparator vs museum docent demographics

Here are the differences between exhibit preparators' and museum docents' demographics:

Exhibit PreparatorMuseum Docent
Average age4444
Gender ratioMale, 52.4% Female, 47.6%Male, 37.1% Female, 62.9%
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, 5.1% Unknown, 4.2% Hispanic or Latino, 7.1% Asian, 4.9% White, 77.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.2%
LGBT Percentage13%13%

Differences between exhibit preparator and museum docent 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.

Museum docent example responsibilities.

  • Conduct tours of the anthropology and paleontology museums * Write/edit exhibit- and art show-relate materials
  • Create and present educational PowerPoint oral presentations.

Exhibit preparator vs museum docent skills

Common exhibit preparator skills
  • Museum Exhibits, 47%
  • Exhibition Design, 30%
  • Art Objects, 14%
  • Natural History, 9%
Common museum docent skills
  • Natural History, 39%
  • Museum Gift Shop, 9%
  • Museum Exhibits, 8%
  • Front Desk, 7%
  • Public Speaking, 7%
  • Educational Programs, 6%

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