What Do Museum Technician or Conservator Do?
Example of Museum Technician or Conservator Job 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 Technician or Conservator Responsibilities
- Build, repair, and install wooden steps, scaffolds, and walkways to gain access to or permit improved view of exhibited equipment.
- Specialize in particular materials or types of object, such as documents and books, paintings, decorative arts, textiles, metals, or architectural materials.
- Coordinate exhibit installations, assisting with design, constructing displays, dioramas, display cases, and models, and ensuring the availability of necessary materials.
- Photograph objects for documentation.
- Direct and supervise curatorial, technical, and student staff in the handling, mounting, care, and storage of art objects.
- Deliver artwork on courier trips.
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What Skills Do You Need to Work as a Museum Technician or Conservator?
Below is a list of the skills most Museum Technicians and Conservators say are important on the job.
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.
Types of Museum Technician or Conservator
- Renovation Technician
- Art Conservator
- Ceramic Restorer
- Conservation Technician
- Fine Arts Packer
Is There Going to be Demand for Museum Technicians and Conservators?
In 2016, there was an estimated number of 11,800 jobs in the United States for Museum Technician or Conservator. 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. Due to new job openings and attrition, there will be an average of 1,400 job openings in this field each 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.
Salary for a Museum Technician or Conservator
Museum Technicians and Conservators make between $25,430 and $74,840 a year.
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 each U.S. state?
| 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
Becoming a Museum Technician or Conservator
Learn what Museum Technician or Conservator education requirements there are.
How Long Does it Take to Become a Museum Technician or Conservator?
Where Museum Technicians and Conservators Are Employed
The table below shows some of the most common industries where those employed in this career field work.
Similar Careers
Those thinking about becoming a Museum Technician or Conservator might also be interested in the following careers:
Are you already one of the many Museum Technician or Conservator in the United States? If you’re thinking about changing careers, these fields are worth exploring:
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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