Restore, maintain, or prepare objects in museum collections for storage, research, or exhibit. May work with specimens such as fossils, skeletal parts, or botanicals; or artifacts, textiles, or art. May identify and record objects or install and arrange them in exhibits. Includes book or document conservators.
Museum Technicians and Conservators
SOC: 25-4013 O*NET: 25-4013.00
Median Salary
$47,460
per year
Job Growth
📈 5.4%
Faster (2024-2034)
Annual Openings
1.9
projected jobs/year
Education Level
Bachelor's degree or higher
Job Zone 4
Restore, maintain, or prepare objects in museum collections for storage, research, or exhibit. May work with specimens such as fossils, skeletal parts, or botanicals; or artifacts, textiles, or art. May identify and record objects or install and arrange them in exhibits. Includes book or document conservators.
What does a Museum Technicians and Conservators do?
How much can you earn?
Entry Level
$30,720
10th percentile
Early Career
$37,460
25th percentile
Median
$47,460
50th percentile
Experienced
$62,990
75th percentile
Top Earners
$82,790
90th percentile
National Salary Distribution
10th
$30,720
25th
$37,460
Middle 50%
MEDIAN
$47,460
Mean: $53,630
75th
$62,990
90th
$82,790
Middle 50% of earners
Median salary
Mean (average)
Key Insights
- •Salary range spans $52,070 from entry level to top earners
- •Middle 50% earn between $37,460 and $62,990
- •Salary spread is 53.8% around the median, showing high variation
- •Total national employment: 13,070 professionals
What's the job outlook?
Job Market Intelligence
Medium Demand
Market demand
Medium Risk
Automation risk
Current Employment
National Employment:15,700
Top Industries
Museums, Historical Sites, and Similar Institutions52.4%
Museums, Historical Sites, and Similar Institutions52.4%
Educational Services4.7%
10-Year Outlook
Growth Rate:+5.4%
Annual Openings:1,900
Employment Projections
2024 (Current)15,700
Current
2034 (Projected)16,500
+5.4%
+800
Employment Change
+5.4%
Growth Rate
10
Year Projection
Growth Category: As fast as average
Geographic Salary & Employment Data
Explore where Museum Technicians and Conservators professionals work across the United States
Showing 15 of 47 locations
California
1,790 jobs$58,9601.17x
New York
1,060 jobs$64,6801.31x
Missouri
1,000 jobs$46,6804.03x
Texas
780 jobs$34,3200.66x
North Carolina
740 jobs$39,1901.79x
Illinois
570 jobs$46,1701.10x
District of Columbia
520 jobs$74,3008.61x
Pennsylvania
470 jobs$46,2300.92x
Maryland
420 jobs$72,9501.81x
Virginia
360 jobs$48,6401.06x
Ohio
330 jobs$47,0600.71x
Massachusetts
290 jobs$59,1300.95x
Washington
270 jobs$58,4700.88x
Tennessee
270 jobs$41,9100.98x
Michigan
250 jobs$38,1400.68x
Understanding the Data
Location Quotient (LQ):
- • LQ > 1.0: More jobs than national average
- • LQ = 1.0: Same as national average
- • LQ < 1.0: Fewer jobs than national average
Data Source:
Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2024
Key Growth Factors
- •Average growth expected
What skills do you need?
Top 10 Most Important Skills
#1
Active Listening
100%
#2
Speaking
94%
#3
Reading Comprehension
86%
#4
Writing
80%
#5
Critical Thinking
74%
#6
Complex Problem Solving
66%
#7
Judgment and Decision Making
60%
#8
Monitoring
54%
#9
Coordination
46%
#10
Instructing
40%
Skills Overview
Active Listening
advanced5.0
100%
Speaking
advanced4.7
94%
Reading Comprehension
basic4.3
86%
Writing
intermediate4.0
80%
Critical Thinking
intermediate3.7
74%
Complex Problem Solving
advanced3.3
66%
Judgment and Decision Making
intermediate3.0
60%
Monitoring
basic2.7
54%
Skills are rated on a scale of 0-5, with 5 being the most important. The complexity level indicates how advanced the skill typically needs to be.
Filter:
Sort by:
Active Listening
advancedImportance100%
skills
5.0/5.0
Speaking
advancedImportance94%
skills
4.7/5.0
Reading Comprehension
basicImportance86%
abilities
4.3/5.0
Writing
intermediateImportance80%
skills
4.0/5.0
Critical Thinking
intermediateImportance74%
abilities
3.7/5.0
Complex Problem Solving
advancedImportance66%
abilities
3.3/5.0
Judgment and Decision Making
intermediateImportance60%
abilities
3.0/5.0
Monitoring
basicImportance54%
skills
2.7/5.0
Coordination
basicImportance46%
skills
2.3/5.0
Instructing
basicImportance40%
skills
2.0/5.0
Highly Transferable Skills
These skills are valuable across multiple career paths, making career transitions easier:
Airfield Operations Specialists100%
5 shared skills
Accountants and Auditors82%
5 shared skills
Quality Control Systems Managers82%
5 shared skills
Sustainability Specialists82%
5 shared skills
Cartographers and Photogrammetrists82%
5 shared skills
Civil Engineering Technologists and Technicians82%
5 shared skills
Skills by Career Stage
Entry Level
Must Have:
- ✓Active Listening
- ✓Speaking
- ✓Writing
Learn on the Job:
- →Monitoring
- →Complex Problem Solving
- →Judgment and Decision Making
Mid Career
Expected:
- ✓Active Listening
- ✓Speaking
- ✓Writing
- ✓Reading Comprehension
Senior Level
Mastery Required:
- ★Active Listening
- ★Speaking
- ★Writing
- ★Reading Comprehension
- ★Critical Thinking
Skill Development Tips
- •Focus on developing the top 5 skills first - they have the highest impact on career success
- •Transferable skills open doors to related careers and provide flexibility
- •Balance technical skills with soft skills for well-rounded professional development
- •Entry-level positions prioritize foundational skills that can be built upon over time
What technology will you use?
Technology & Digital Skills
Essential technology proficiencies for Museum Technicians and Conservators
Technology Intensity
High
Digital Literacy Requirements
This career requires advanced digital literacy
1
Basic
2
Intermediate
3
Advanced
4
Expert
Key Digital Competencies:
Proficiency with specialized softwareTechnical documentationData analysis toolsSystem integration
🔥
Hot Technologies in Demand
These technologies are currently trending and highly sought after in this field
Autodesk AutoCAD
🔥 Hot TechAdobe InDesign
🔥 Hot TechAdobe Acrobat
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Outlook
🔥 Hot TechAdobe Creative Cloud software
🔥 Hot TechAdobe Illustrator
🔥 Hot TechAdobe Photoshop
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Office software
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft PowerPoint
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Excel
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Active Server Pages ASP
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Word
🔥 Hot TechTechnology Stack
Technology Stack Overview
Key technologies used in this career
Autodesk AutoCAD
Adobe InDesign
Adobe Acrobat
Microsoft Outlook
Adobe Creative Cloud software
Adobe Illustrator
Adobe Photoshop
Microsoft Office software
Microsoft PowerPoint
Microsoft Excel
Microsoft Active Server Pages ASP
Microsoft Word
📚 Technology Learning Resources
Recommended Certifications
- •Vendor-specific software certifications
- •Industry-recognized technology credentials
- •Professional development courses
Online Learning Platforms
- •LinkedIn Learning - Comprehensive technology courses
- •Coursera - University-level programs
- •Udemy - Practical skills training
💡 Technology Skill Development Tips
- •Focus on mastering hot technologies first - they're currently most in-demand
- •Build a portfolio demonstrating your proficiency with key tools and software
- •Stay current through continuous learning - technology evolves rapidly
- •Consider vendor certifications to validate your skills to employers
What's the work environment like?
🏢
Location
MOSTLY INDOOR
💪
Physical Demand
HIGH
👥
Team Orientation
MOSTLY TEAM
🤝
Customer Interaction
OCCASIONAL
💡Is This Work Environment Right for You?
Consider these factors when evaluating if you'll thrive in this work environment:
- •Are you comfortable working in mostly indoor environments?
- •Can you meet high physical demands?
- •Do you enjoy mostly team team environments?
- •Are you comfortable working with safety protocols and protective equipment?
What are the key tasks?
Tasks & Responsibilities
21
Core Tasks
8
Daily Tasks
20
Work Activities
0
Emerging Tasks
Filter:
Sort by:
Documentation & Record-Keeping (3)Planning & Development (3)General Responsibilities (9)Management & Supervision (4)Operations & Execution (2)
1
Install, arrange, assemble, and prepare artifacts for exhibition, ensuring the artifacts' safety, reporting their status and condition, and identifying and correcting any problems with the set up.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Documentation & Record-Keeping100% perform100%
2
Coordinate exhibit installations, assisting with design, constructing displays, dioramas, display cases, and models, and ensuring the availability of necessary materials.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Planning & Development97% perform98%
3
Determine whether objects need repair and choose the safest and most effective method of repair.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities94% perform96%
4
Clean objects, such as paper, textiles, wood, metal, glass, rock, pottery, and furniture, using cleansers, solvents, soap solutions, and polishes.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities91% perform94%
5
Prepare artifacts for storage and shipping.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Documentation & Record-Keeping88% perform92%
6
Supervise and work with volunteers.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Management & Supervision85% perform90%
7
Specialize in particular materials or types of object, such as documents and books, paintings, decorative arts, textiles, metals, or architectural materials.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities82% perform88%
8
Recommend preservation procedures, such as control of temperature and humidity, to curatorial and building staff.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities79% perform86%
9
Classify and assign registration numbers to artifacts and supervise inventory control.
🟡Weekly
Importance:
Management & Supervision76% perform84%
10
Perform on-site field work which may involve interviewing people, inspecting and identifying artifacts, note-taking, viewing sites and collections, and repainting exhibition spaces.
🟡Weekly
Importance:
Operations & Execution73% perform82%
💡 Key Takeaways
- •Daily tasks focus primarily on documentation & record-keeping activities
- •33% of tasks are performed by most workers in this occupation
- •Career advancement brings increased leadership and strategic responsibilities
What career paths are available?
Career Pathways
0
Advancement Opportunities
0
Lateral Move Options
0%
Avg. Salary Increase
Advancement Opportunities
Typical career progression paths from Museum Technicians and Conservators
💡 Career Planning Tips
- •Most successful advancement happens after 3-5 years of experience
- •Lateral moves can provide valuable cross-functional experience for future leadership roles
- •Focus on developing skills that are transferable across multiple career paths
- •Consider industry trends when planning long-term career moves
Is this career right for you?
Personality & Values Fit
Is This Career Right for You?
Museum Technicians and Conservators professionals typically have a RCI Holland code and highly value achievement
RRealistic
CConventional
IInvestigative
Important Personality Traits
Work styles that contribute to success as a Museum Technicians and Conservators
Attention to Detail
CriticalAttention to Detail
Importance Level4.92
Dependability
Very ImportantDependability
Importance Level4.42
Integrity
Very ImportantIntegrity
Importance Level4.20
Cooperation
Very ImportantCooperation
Importance Level4.19
Initiative
Very ImportantInitiative
Importance Level4.16
Analytical Thinking
Very ImportantAnalytical Thinking
Importance Level4.16
Complete Work Styles Profile
Attention to Detail
4.9
Dependability
4.4
Integrity
4.2
Cooperation
4.2
Initiative
4.2
Analytical Thinking
4.2
Innovation
4.0
Independence
3.9
Adaptability/Flexibility
3.9
Persistence
3.9
💡 Tips for Career Fit Success
- •While personality fit is important, skills can be developed with practice and training
- •Consider informational interviews to better understand the day-to-day personality requirements
- •Work environments vary by employer - research specific companies for cultural fit
- •Your interests and values may evolve - reassess periodically throughout your career
What education is required?
Education Level
Bachelor's degree or higher
Typical duration: 4 years
Preparation Level
Job Zone 4
Considerable Preparation Needed
Experience Needed
A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience needed
📚 Education Requirement
Required Level:Bachelor's degree or higher
Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.
Training:
Significant preparation with related work experience
💼 Experience Requirement
A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience needed
Common pathways to gain experience:
- • Bachelor's degree in related field
- • Several years of work experience
- • Professional certifications often required
4
Job Zone Four: Considerable Preparation Needed
Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.
Bachelor's degree in related fieldSeveral years of work experienceProfessional certifications often required
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