Life As a Museum Technician or Conservator
Job Description: 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 Do Museum Technicians and Conservators Do On a Daily Basis?
- Build, repair, and install wooden steps, scaffolds, and walkways to gain access to or permit improved view of exhibited equipment.
- Supervise and work with volunteers.
- Direct and supervise curatorial, technical, and student staff in the handling, mounting, care, and storage of art objects.
- Perform tests and examinations to establish storage and conservation requirements, policies, and procedures.
- Classify and assign registration numbers to artifacts and supervise inventory control.
- Repair, restore, and reassemble artifacts, designing and fabricating missing or broken parts, to restore them to their original appearance and prevent deterioration.
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Things a Museum Technician or Conservator Should Know How to Do
Museum Technicians and Conservators state the following job skills are important in their day-to-day work.
Active Listening: Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
Speaking: Talking to others to convey information effectively.
Reading Comprehension: Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
Writing: Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.
Critical Thinking: Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
Judgment and Decision Making: Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
Related Job Titles for this Occupation:
- Conservation Assistant
- Fine Arts Packer
- Exhibit Preparator
- Conservation Worker
- Art Objects Repairer
Museum Technician or Conservator Employment Estimates
In the United States, there were 11,800 jobs for Museum Technician or Conservator in 2016. New jobs are being produced at a rate of 12.7% which is above the national average. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts 1,500 new jobs for Museum Technician or Conservator by 2026. There will be an estimated 1,400 positions for Museum Technician or Conservator per year.
The states with the most job growth for Museum Technician or Conservator are Utah, Washington, and Colorado. Watch out if you plan on working in Vermont, Rhode Island, or North Dakota. These states have the worst job growth for this type of profession.
What is the Average Salary of a Museum Technician or Conservator
The typical yearly salary for Museum Technicians and Conservators is somewhere between $25,430 and $74,840.
Museum Technicians and Conservators who work in District of Columbia, Maryland, or Connecticut, make the highest salaries.
How much do Museum Technicians and Conservators make in different U.S. states?
| State | Annual Mean Salary |
|---|---|
| Alabama | $41,260 |
| Alaska | $50,660 |
| Arizona | $38,950 |
| Arkansas | $35,650 |
| California | $48,120 |
| Colorado | $42,580 |
| Connecticut | $55,340 |
| District of Columbia | $68,460 |
| Florida | $41,600 |
| Georgia | $43,390 |
| Hawaii | $39,270 |
| Illinois | $45,210 |
| Indiana | $36,250 |
| Iowa | $45,520 |
| Kansas | $36,040 |
| Kentucky | $39,410 |
| Louisiana | $24,690 |
| Maine | $40,610 |
| Maryland | $66,300 |
| Massachusetts | $56,100 |
| Michigan | $36,030 |
| Minnesota | $42,750 |
| Missouri | $41,350 |
| Nebraska | $34,240 |
| Nevada | $36,240 |
| New Jersey | $57,510 |
| New Mexico | $38,690 |
| New York | $56,040 |
| North Carolina | $40,850 |
| Ohio | $41,940 |
| Oklahoma | $34,410 |
| Oregon | $44,350 |
| Pennsylvania | $42,700 |
| South Carolina | $32,820 |
| South Dakota | $31,550 |
| Tennessee | $43,940 |
| Texas | $44,090 |
| Virginia | $45,100 |
| Washington | $46,300 |
| Wisconsin | $37,480 |
| Wyoming | $39,280 |
What Tools & Technology do Museum Technicians and Conservators Use?
Although they’re not necessarily needed for all jobs, the following technologies are used by many Museum Technicians and Conservators:
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Word
- Microsoft Office
- Microsoft Outlook
- Adobe Systems Adobe Photoshop
- Microsoft Visual FoxPro
- Gallery Systems EmbARK
- PastPerfect Software PastPerfect
- Questor Systems ARGUS
How do I Become a Museum Technician or Conservator?
What education is needed to be a Museum Technician or Conservator?
How Long Does it Take to Become a Museum Technician or Conservator?
Who Employs Museum Technicians and Conservators?
Museum Technicians and Conservators work in the following industries:
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Those interested in being a Museum Technician or Conservator may also be interested in:
Career changers with experience as a Museum Technician or Conservator sometimes find work in one of the following fields:
References:
Image Credit: Jorge Royan via Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 Unported
More about our data sources and methodologies.
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