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Museum educator vs art preparator

The differences between museum educators 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 a museum educator and an art preparator. Additionally, an art preparator has an average salary of $59,856, which is higher than the $40,399 average annual salary of a museum educator.

The top three skills for a museum educator include educational programs, art history and K-12. The most important skills for an art preparator are art exhibitions, art installation, and art preparation.

Museum educator vs art preparator overview

Museum EducatorArt Preparator
Yearly salary$40,399$59,856
Hourly rate$19.42$28.78
Growth rate12%12%
Number of jobs18,4812,769
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 71%Bachelor's Degree, 71%
Average age4444
Years of experience44

Museum educator vs art preparator salary

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

Museum EducatorArt Preparator
Average salary$40,399$59,856
Salary rangeBetween $26,000 And $61,000Between $29,000 And $120,000
Highest paying City--
Highest paying state--
Best paying company--
Best paying industry--

Differences between museum educator and art preparator education

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

Museum EducatorArt Preparator
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 71%Bachelor's Degree, 71%
Most common majorFine ArtsFine Arts
Most common collegeHarvard UniversityHarvard University

Museum educator vs art preparator demographics

Here are the differences between museum educators' and art preparators' demographics:

Museum EducatorArt Preparator
Average age4444
Gender ratioMale, 30.6% Female, 69.4%Male, 78.3% Female, 21.7%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 5.3% Unknown, 4.2% Hispanic or Latino, 7.5% Asian, 5.2% White, 76.6% 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 museum educator and art preparator duties and responsibilities

Museum educator example responsibilities.

  • Manage revolving caseload of students with IEP team including initials, transfer placements, manifestation determinations.
  • Train and supervise employees and volunteers in collections protocols, cataloging, preparation, housekeeping, lab and field work.
  • Analyze prehistoric and historic cultural artifacts, including data entry for cataloging.
  • Develop digital materials, documents, PowerPoint presentations, lectures, and laboratory activities daily.
  • Design PowerPoint presentations enhancing educational environment.
  • Design PowerPoint presentations enhancing educational environment.

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.

Museum educator vs art preparator skills

Common museum educator skills
  • Educational Programs, 15%
  • Art History, 11%
  • K-12, 9%
  • Public Programs, 8%
  • Outreach Program, 6%
  • Public Speaking, 6%
Common art preparator skills
  • Art Exhibitions, 34%
  • Art Installation, 21%
  • Art Preparation, 21%
  • Museum Standards, 15%
  • Condition Reports, 9%

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