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Museums and Art Museums
Smithsonian Institution, The Metropolitan Museum of Art, Getty
Museum Technicians and Conservators
These workers clean, document, stabilize, pack, and install objects so museums can preserve them or put them on display without causing damage. The work is unusually hands-on and exacting: the main challenge is doing the least necessary intervention while still making an object safe to handle, store, or exhibit. If a piece needs more than routine repair, they have to know when to stop and bring in a specialist.
Also known as Conservation TechnicianMuseum ConservatorCollections TechnicianMuseum Collections TechnicianObjects Conservator
Median Salary
$47,460
Mean $53,630
U.S. Workforce
~13K
1.9K openings per year
10-Year Growth
+5.4%
15.7K to 16.5K
Entry Education
Bachelor's degree
+ None experience
What This Role Looks Like in Practice
Museum Technicians and Conservators sits in the Creative category. In practical terms, this role combines day-to-day execution, cross-team coordination, and consistent decision-making under real business constraints.
U.S. employment is currently about ~13K workers, with a median annual pay of $47,460 and roughly 1.9K openings each year. Based on BLS projections, total employment is expected to grow from 15.7 K in 2024 to 16.5K in 2034.
Most hiring paths start with Master's Degree in Museum Studies, Conservation, or Art History, and employers typically expect none of related experience. Many careers in this track begin around Collections Assistant and can progress toward Lead Conservator / Conservation Manager. High-value skills usually include Active Listening, Reading Comprehension, and Speaking, paired with soft skills such as Precision, Patience, and Attention to detail.
Core Responsibilities
- Clean and gently stabilize objects made from paper, textiles, wood, metal, glass, stone, pottery, or furniture.
- Decide whether an artifact can be repaired in-house and choose the safest repair method.
- Record collection details and condition notes in museum databases.
- Set up artifacts for exhibits, making sure they are secure, correctly positioned, and ready to be shown without risk.
Keep exploring: more Creative careers or browse all job titles.
A Day in the Life
01 Clean and gently stabilize objects made from paper, textiles, wood, metal, glass, stone, pottery, or furniture.
02 Decide whether an artifact can be repaired in-house and choose the safest repair method.
03 Record collection details and condition notes in museum databases.
04 Set up artifacts for exhibits, making sure they are secure, correctly positioned, and ready to be shown without risk.
05 Photograph objects and inspect them during field visits, storage moves, or after damage is reported.
06 Pack artifacts for storage or shipping and prepare them for safe transport.
Industries That Hire
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Archives and Libraries
Library of Congress, New York Public Library, National Archives
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Historic Preservation and Heritage Sites
National Park Service, Colonial Williamsburg, Historic New England
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Universities and Research Museums
Harvard Art Museums, Yale University Art Gallery, University of Michigan Museum of Art
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Auction Houses and Private Collections
Christie's, Sotheby's, Bonhams
Pros and Cons
Advantages
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You work directly with rare objects instead of sitting at a desk all day, which makes the job feel concrete and visible.
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The work mixes art, history, and careful hands-on problem-solving, so no two artifacts are treated exactly the same.
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Entry requirements are relatively focused: the BLS says a bachelor's degree is typical, with no required work experience and no on-the-job training.
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The field is small but steady, with 13,070 current workers and about 1.9K annual openings, so there are regular chances to get in or move around.
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Specializing in paper, textiles, metals, or objects can make your expertise more valuable over time.
Challenges
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Pay is modest for the level of care required: the median annual wage is $47,460 and the mean is $53,630.
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Growth is only 5.4% through 2034, so the field is not expanding quickly and competition can be tight.
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This is physical, detail-heavy work that can involve lifting, packing, standing, and handling fragile materials for long periods.
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The career ladder is fairly narrow, which can limit advancement unless you move into management or a highly specialized conservation niche.
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Hiring can depend on museum and cultural budgets, so funding swings can affect openings and long-term stability.
Career Progression
Collections Assistant
0-2 years
$30K-$39K
Helps with basic cataloging, object handling, packing, and exhibit prep under close supervision.
Museum Technician and Conservator
2-5 years
$40K-$57K
Carries out cleaning, documentation, minor repairs, and exhibit setup for a wide range of artifacts.
Senior Conservator THIS ROLE
5-10 years
$58K-$77K
Takes on more difficult treatment decisions, oversees fragile objects, and helps train junior staff.
Lead Conservator / Conservation Manager
10+ years
$78K-$105K
Sets preservation standards, manages complex projects, and coordinates with curators, registrars, and outside experts.
Education Paths
Master's Degree in Museum Studies, Conservation, or Art History
The most common path in the distribution, held by 41.3% of workers, especially for conservation-focused jobs that need deeper subject knowledge.
Bachelor's Degree in Art History, Museum Studies, Studio Art, or Chemistry
A major entry path, held by 24.11% of workers, and the BLS lists a bachelor's degree as the typical entry level.
Post-Secondary Certificate in Collections Care or Conservation
A practical route used by 20.32% of workers, often for hands-on prep, documentation, and lab support work.
Associate's Degree plus Museum Internship or Volunteer Experience
A smaller path, represented by 7.18% of workers, usually paired with strong on-the-job experience and portfolio evidence.
Key Skills
Technical
Active Listening 72%
Reading Comprehension 66%
Speaking 66%
Critical Thinking 56%
Writing 56%
Complex Problem Solving 53%
Judgment and Decision Making 53%
Monitoring 53%
Conservation Documentation & Digital Photography 52%
Collection Management Systems (PastPerfect, TMS) 51%
Artifact Cleaning, Stabilization & Handling Tools 50%
Soft Skills
PrecisionPatienceAttention to detailCarefulnessTeamworkAdaptability Job Outlook and Trends
+5.4%
Projected growth (2024-2034)
1.9K
Annual job openings
Employment is projected to rise from 15.7K to 16.5 K over the next decade, representing 5.4% growth. Around 1.9 K openings per year include both newly created roles and replacement hiring from turnover.
Remote availability is currently Rare. Demand remains strongest where employers need practical domain knowledge plus modern workflow and data skills.