I am new here, so please forgive me if I am beating a dead horse.

How do we increase our rate of pay?

I ask this question relative to the industry wide issue, rather than personal compensation. While some people are individually underpaid, conversely, some people are overpaid, but generally, their pay falls within an industry compensation range that, in my opinion, is depress well below comparable industry average. This question is directed toward the issue of affecting the compensation levels industry wide. As an industry of archaeologist, how do we increase compensation levels industry wide? I think the associated topic about what is the fair base-compensation level for the various skills, should be discussed as a separate topic.

I think KidCharlemagne’s discussion “Let's discuss fair compensation and CRM” is highlighting many important issues that need further debate. I think his thread is a critical discussion relating to the overall health of this industry and I think we should attempt to encourage board participation in his thread. I ask this question in a divergent thread, so as not to distract from that discussion, but rather to focus upon a piece of the issue. I wish we could eventually see some reasonable ideas develop about how we can improve the compensation in this industry.

I think we all agree that compensation for archaeology technicians across the nation is dismal. Especially when the industry-wide part-time contract oriented migratory trend of this labor force is factored into the equation.

As an industry of archaeologist, how do we increase compensation levels industry wide?