I know this conversation has been brought up before, but I found this very interesting. Here is the preparator job description as posted in MPMA's 2011 salary survey.

Technician/Preparator: Installation of exhibits under supervision of curatorial personnel; movement of exhibition materials; preparation of materials for shipping Typical qualifications: Manual skills related to duties.

This is a good example of a vague interpretation but also illustrates an institutional disconnect in understanding the value of the skills and knowledge required to do this work properly. Also, it really does exemplify the necessity for a site like Paccin, not only as a vessel for professionalism but also a tremendous resource for those who's job is laden with ambiguity and under-appreciation.
If interested in reading MPMA's other job descriptions: http://www.mpma.net/MPMAsSalarySurvey.htm , click on instructions for taking the survey.