Explore national salary, projected growth, education requirements, and career opportunities across the United States.
A concise view of this occupation’s national scale, compensation, and projected demand.
National median annual wage for this occupation.
Estimated jobs currently supported nationwide.
Projected employment change through 2034.
Estimated openings created each year.
The typical education, prior experience, and on-the-job training associated with entry into this career.
Bachelor's degree
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These are the highest-rated capabilities associated with success in this occupation. Scores are derived from occupational skill analysis and are measured on a 100-point scale.
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Museum technicians and conservators support the care, preservation, and presentation of collections. With national employment of about 16,000 and projected growth of 5.4%, this field offers a moderate but tangible level of opportunity for people interested in combining creativity, science, and hands-on work. The role draws on a wide mix of abilities, including creativity and innovation, scientific understanding, fine motor skills, mechanical aptitude, and physical strength and stamina. Strong communication skills in speaking, listening, writing, and reading also matter, along with problem solving, decision making, and critical and analytical thinking. A typical entry path involves a bachelor’s degree, making the field accessible to those completing four-year programs. For individuals who enjoy detail-oriented tasks and the challenge of protecting and maintaining physical objects, this career can offer a specialized, skill-intensive path. Those exploring alternatives might also look at related paths such as fine artists, etchers and engravers, commercial and industrial designers, railroad conductors and yardmasters, or power plant operators.
Museum technicians and conservators earn a national median annual salary of $47,460. Within this occupation, pay varies by location, with several states and metros standing out for higher median wages. At the state level, New York shows a median salary of $74,550, California $61,550, Washington $59,610, and Massachusetts $58,530, all above the national median. Among metro areas, Washington-Arlington-Alexandria posts a median of $79,230, New York-Newark-Jersey City $77,030, and San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont $75,020, indicating strong earning potential in these regions. San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara also offers $62,290. These figures suggest that while the national median provides a baseline, relocating or targeting high-opportunity states and metros can significantly influence earnings. Job seekers can use this range to weigh potential tradeoffs between location, compensation, and personal preferences.
Museum technicians and conservators have national employment of about 16,000, with projected employment growth of 5.4%. There are an estimated 2,000 annual openings, reflecting ongoing demand driven by both new positions and turnover. The combination of existing employment and projected growth suggests a stable, moderately expanding field. While the occupation is relatively small in total numbers, the consistent opening count each year offers a recurring entry point for new graduates and career changers. Growth of 5.4% applies nationally and is also reflected in the listed states and metro areas, offering some consistency in expectations across regions. People considering this path can factor in that job availability is not limited to just one or two locations. Instead, opportunities appear in multiple states and metropolitan areas, giving some flexibility in where to pursue roles while still aligning with overall national trends.
Location can significantly shape opportunities for museum technicians and conservators. At the state level, California, Massachusetts, New York, Colorado, and Washington all rank highly by opportunity score. New York combines a median salary of $74,550 with employment of 1,050, while California offers a median of $61,550 and the highest listed state employment at 1,610. Washington and Massachusetts provide median salaries near $59,610 and $58,530, respectively, with smaller employment bases. Colorado shows a median of $51,990 and employment of 290, illustrating that opportunity can exist even in states with more modest pay compared to the top group. Among metros, San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara and New York-Newark-Jersey City have the highest opportunity scores, both above 77, with median salaries over $62,000 and $77,000, respectively. Washington-Arlington-Alexandria features the highest listed metro median salary at $79,230 and employment of 970. San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont and Boston-Cambridge-Newton also provide relatively high salaries and solid employment levels, giving job seekers multiple strong urban options to consider.
The typical education for museum technicians and conservators is a bachelor’s degree. This requirement aligns with the blend of intellectual, technical, and physical skills involved. The role draws heavily on creativity and innovation, science, and critical and analytical thinking, indicating the value of a broad academic foundation that builds both conceptual understanding and practical reasoning. Detail orientation and fine motor skills are also important, along with mechanical aptitude and physical strength and stamina, underscoring the hands-on nature of the work. Strong communication abilities in speaking, listening, writing, and reading support collaboration and documentation in this field, while problem solving and decision making help professionals handle unexpected issues and make informed judgments. People planning their education can use this skill profile to select bachelor’s programs and experiences that build creativity, scientific literacy, analytical thinking, and precise, careful work habits, preparing them for the technical, communicative, and physical demands of this occupation.
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