Job market information
Finding out about cultural heritage
The cultural heritage industry is part of the creative and cultural industries, represented by the Creative and Cultural Skills Sector Skills Council, which also includes: craft; design; literature; music; performing arts; and visual arts. The creative and cultural industries currently employ 678,480, people, of which 24% are based in London. There are 74,640 businesses in the creative and cultural industries, of which 87% employ less than 10 people.
The cultural heritage industry includes: museums, galleries with collections, built heritage, conservation, heritage landscape, archaeology and related member organisations. It is broad, encompassing historic buildings, landscapes and collections – from towns, cities and rural spaces in the UK, to collections from across the world. These sites are held in trust on behalf of the public.
The industry comprises all those who collect, preserve, study and communicate the past, present and future in order to develop and promote understanding and curiosity. It consists of a variety of organisations, institutions, sector bodies and individuals that operate at a national level. A core part of the industry is publicly funded.
Key facts:
- There are 57,350 people working in the cultural heritage industry, of which:
- 59% are in museums and archives
- 29% in built heritage
- 12% in archaeology
- Employment in cultural heritage increased by 7% between 2004 and 2006.
- There are 1,510 businesses, of which 77% employ less than 50 people.
- Cultural heritage contributes £1.01 billion to the UK economy.
- Only 4% of the workforce is self‐employed.
- 36% of the workforce is employed part‐time.
- Women in the industry are generally more highly qualified than men (60% have an above level 4 qualification as their highest qualification compared with 40% of men).
- 74% of women earn less than £10,000, compared to 51% of men.
- 94% of people working in cultural heritage earn less than £20,000 per year.
- 50% of those working in cultural heritage have a level 4 or above qualification.
- Volunteering is significant in the industry.
Jobs in the industry include: admission staff, archaeological scientist, archivist, art exhibition organiser, artistic director, box office staff, conservation officer, curator, documentation staff, exhibitions staff, historian, inspector of ancient monuments.
Entry and progression
There are few entry routes into the cultural heritage industry and there is a strong emphasis on academic qualifications. The high cost of training, limited opportunities for on‐the‐job training, and the high number of graduates make entry into the sector very competitive. Experience is a requirement for many jobs across the sector and volunteering is seen as a key route to gain that experience. Volunteering is a key feature of the industry. Progressions routes in the industry are varied and dependent on the organisation.
There are a range of industry endorsed courses (both at undergraduate and post‐graduate), training schemes and vocational qualifications available. More vocational entry routes, such as Apprenticeships, are now being developed.
For job specific entry requirements, take a look at our job profiles.
Workforce statistics
| Number of UK employees: |
57,350 |
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| Number of UK employers: |
1,510 |
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| Gender: |
48% male |
52% female |
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| Ethnicity: |
93% of the workforce is white. |
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| Age: |
55% of the workforce is under the age of 40. |
12% of the workforce is aged between 45‐49 years. |
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[N.B. Data from Creative and Cultural Skills Workforce Survey, 2009.]
Employment trends and future prospects
Cultural heritage, more than any other industry, is driven by Public Sector spending priorities and as part of the conditions of funding, there are accountability and performance targets. As a result, organisations are becoming more business-like in their operation. The heritage industry is seen by central Government as a significant route to engage excluded individuals and communities. These drivers are all believed to influence employment in the industry.
Skill requirements and shortages
Currently, the industry is focused on the workforce developing leadership, management, technical skills and customer service skills. Future skills for the industry include:
- Management and leadership – where experience of working in the industry is required
- Technical skills – to maintain and update the broad range of skills in conservation, collection care, collection development and archaeology
- Partnership working – to encourage cross sector working and organisational collaboration
Occupational trends
Across the creative and cultural industries, employment in professional, associated and technical roles will increase by 26% over the next few years, compared with 15% across the UK. 39% of creative and cultural employers state that all occupations will maintain their current importance. Fundraising is expected to be of increasing importance in the cultural heritage industry and creative writers are expected to be important to success in the literary arts industry.
National and regional data
Northern Ireland – There are 11,640 people working in the Northern Ireland creative and cultural sector. 3% of the UK cultural heritage workforce is located in Northern Ireland. Cultural heritage in Northern Ireland contributes £0.1 million to the UK economy. More than 99% of the workforce is white and 23% of the workforce is male. Less than 1% of the workforce in Northern Ireland is self‐employed.
Scotland – There are 45,420 people working in the Scottish creative and cultural sector. 10% of the UK cultural heritage workforce is located in Scotland. Cultural heritage in Scotland contributes £41 million to the UK economy. More than 99% of the cultural heritage workforce is white and 53% of the workforce is male. 2% of the cultural heritage workforce in Scotland is self‐employed.
Wales – There are 24,060 people working in the Welsh creative and cultural sector. 4% of the UK cultural heritage workforce is located in Wales. Cultural heritage in Wales contributes £0.9 million to the UK economy. More than 99% of the workforce is white and 50% of the workforce is male. 4% of the Welsh cultural heritage workforce is self‐employed.
[N.B. The data for the following regions are for the creative and cultural sector as a whole.]
East Midlands – There are 44,380 people in the sector workforce in the region, representing 7% of the UK sector workforce. There are 3,950 creative businesses in the region, of which 92% employ less than 50 people. 35% of the workforce is self-employed. 63% of the workforce is male. 95% of the sector workforce is white and 54% are under 40 years.
East of England – There are 63,700 people in the sector workforce in the region, representing 9% of the UK sector workforce. There are 6,710 creative businesses in the region, of which 93% employ less than 50 people. 37% of the workforce is self employed. 66% of the workforce is male. 95% of the sector workforce is white and 46% are under 40 years.
London – There are 164,690 people in the sector workforce in London, representing 24% of the UK sector workforce. There are 21,600 creative businesses, of which 93% employ less than 50 people. 51% of the workforce is self-employed. 58% of the workforce is male. 84% of the sector workforce is white and 56% are under 40 years.
North East – There are 19,680 people in the sector workforce in the region, representing 3% of the UK sector workforce. There are 1,330 creative businesses in the region, of which 90% employ less than 50 people. 38% of the workforce is self-employed. 63% of the workforce is male. 96% of the sector workforce is white and 53% are under 40 years.
North West – There are 59,580 people in the sector workforce in the region, representing 9% of the UK sector workforce. There are 5,660 creative businesses in the region, of which 91% employ less than 50 people. 34% of the workforce is self-employed; the majority of who are in arts and music. 62% of the workforce is male. 95% of the sector workforce is white and 55% are under 40 years.
South East – There are 98,170 people in the sector workforce in the region, representing 14% of the UK sector workforce. There are 12,300 creative businesses in the region, of which 93% employ less than 50 people. 43% of the workforce is self-employed. 59% of the workforce is male. 97% of the sector workforce is white and 47% are under 40 years.
South West – There are 60,690 people in the sector workforce in the region, representing 9% of the UK sector workforce. There are approximately 5,000 creative businesses in the region, of which 93% employ less than 50 people. 47% of the workforce is self-employed in arts, design and music. 59% of the workforce is male. 98% of the sector workforce is white and 46% are under 40 years.
West Midlands – There are 40,300 people in the sector workforce in the region, representing 6% of the UK sector workforce. There are approximately 5,000 creative businesses in the region, of which 91% employ less than 50 people. 31% of the workforce is self-employed, which is the lowest regional figure. 58% of the workforce is male. 91% of the sector workforce is white and 49% are under 40 years.
Yorkshire and the Humber – There are 45,900 people in the sector workforce in the region, representing 7% of the UK sector workforce. There are just under 4,000 creative businesses in the region, of which 90% employ less than 50 people. 40% of the workforce is self-employed. 60% of the workforce is male. 97% of the sector workforce is white and 53% are under 40 years.
Salary levels
Pay scales in this industry are variable, so the following only provides an indication of the wage structure of the current workforce:
- Less than 1% earn more than £41,000 per year
- Less than 1% earn between £29,000 ‐ £41,000
- 6% earn between £20,000 ‐ £29,000
- 34% earn between £10,000 ‐ £ 20,000
- 60% earn less than £10,000
Career paths
Further sources
Produced Sept 2010, using Creative and Cultural Skills AACS LMI report (Jun 2010)
