How much does a museum technician and conservator make?
The median museum technician and conservator in the United States earns $51,440 per year, about $24.73 an hour. That is the midpoint of the profession: half of all museum technicians and conservators earn more, and half earn less.
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025. SOC code 25-4013.
Museum technician and conservator salary range
Pay for museum technicians and conservators spans a wide band. The lowest paid 10 percent earn under $33,780 a year, while the highest paid 10 percent take home more than $87,530. The average (mean) wage of $57,410 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $33,780 | $16.24 | Lowest paid |
| 25th percentile | $41,050 | $19.73 | |
| Median (50th) | $51,440 | $24.73 | Midpoint |
| 75th percentile | $67,640 | $32.52 | |
| 90th percentile | $87,530 | $42.08 | Highest paid |
Figures are national wage estimates for museum technicians and conservators (SOC 25-4013), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS, May 2025.
Museum technician and conservator salary by state
Where you work changes the paycheck. Museum technicians and conservators earn the most in Maryland at $76,900 a year, and the least in Louisiana at $32,350. The table below lists every state with published data, ranked by median annual salary.
| State | Median annual | Employed |
|---|---|---|
| Maryland | $76,900 | 450 |
| District of Columbia | $76,110 | 520 |
| New York | $74,550 | 1,050 |
| Connecticut | $62,030 | 280 |
| California | $61,550 | 1,610 |
| Alaska | $60,840 | 60 |
| Washington | $59,610 | 280 |
| Massachusetts | $58,530 | 440 |
| Illinois | $56,720 | 400 |
| New Mexico | $56,670 | 100 |
| Nevada | $56,470 | 70 |
| Wyoming | $56,420 | 60 |
| Rhode Island | $55,470 | 70 |
| Florida | $53,460 | 250 |
| Virginia | $52,190 | 310 |
| Colorado | $51,990 | 290 |
| Iowa | $51,740 | 100 |
| Minnesota | $50,140 | 170 |
| Kentucky | $49,940 | 80 |
| Georgia | $49,270 | 150 |
| Missouri | $49,170 | 850 |
| Maine | $48,460 | 60 |
| Oklahoma | $48,090 | 190 |
| Ohio | $47,570 | 350 |
| Pennsylvania | $47,150 | 310 |
| Arizona | $46,650 | 90 |
| Indiana | $46,490 | 290 |
| Kansas | $46,320 | 130 |
| Texas | $45,880 | 670 |
| Oregon | $45,820 | 170 |
| Tennessee | $44,710 | 210 |
| New Jersey | $43,780 | 110 |
| Idaho | $43,520 | 40 |
| Montana | $42,390 | 120 |
| Nebraska | $41,960 | 60 |
| Arkansas | $41,280 | 110 |
| Hawaii | $40,170 | 140 |
| North Carolina | $39,290 | 450 |
| Michigan | $39,000 | 340 |
| Wisconsin | $38,840 | 160 |
| Alabama | $38,350 | 130 |
| South Carolina | $38,290 | 90 |
| Delaware | $38,080 | 60 |
| Utah | $35,430 | 100 |
| Louisiana | $32,350 | 200 |
State median wages for museum technicians and conservators (SOC 25-4013), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS state files, May 2025. States where the BLS does not publish a median are not shown.
Job outlook for museum technicians and conservators
The BLS projects employment of museum technicians and conservators to grow 3.6% from 2025 to 2035. That is about as fast as the 3.5% average for all occupations. That works out to roughly 14,000 jobs in 2025 moving toward 14,500 by 2035.
Across the decade, the BLS expects about 1,600 openings a year for museum technicians and conservators. Most come from the need to replace workers who move to other jobs or leave the workforce, on top of any new positions from growth.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program, 2025-35 (Table 1.2, Occupational projections and worker characteristics).
How to become a museum technician and conservator
The typical entry-level education for museum technicians and conservators is a bachelor's degree, according to the BLS.
Education, training, and experience data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program.
What affects how much a museum technician and conservator earns
District budget, level taught, degree, and region drive pay, along with years of service on a step-and-lane salary schedule. High cost metros and senior educators land near the top.
Location is one of the clearest factors. The gap between the top paying state (Maryland, $76,900) and the lowest (Louisiana, $32,350) shows how much geography alone can move the number, before experience or specialization.
About 12,310 people work as museum technicians and conservators in the United States. At $51,440 a year, the job pays above the $50,980 median for all U.S. jobs.
Museum technician and conservator salary FAQ
How much does a museum technician and conservator make an hour?
The median hourly wage for a museum technician and conservator is $24.73. The middle half of museum technicians and conservators earn between $19.73 and $32.52 per hour.
What is the highest museum technician and conservator salary?
The highest paid 10 percent of museum technicians and conservators earn more than $87,530 per year. Top earners usually have the most experience and work in the best paying regions and industries.
How much does a museum technician and conservator make a year?
The median annual salary for a museum technician and conservator is $51,440. The average (mean) wage of $57,410 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
Is being a museum technician and conservator a well paid job?
At $51,440 a year, a museum technician and conservator earns above the $50,980 median for all U.S. jobs. About 12,310 people work as museum technicians and conservators in the United States.
Which state pays museum technicians and conservators the most?
Maryland has the highest median salary for museum technicians and conservators at $76,900 a year. District of Columbia ($76,110) and New York ($74,550) follow. State medians come from the BLS OEWS state files, May 2025.
Is being a museum technician and conservator a good career?
Employment of museum technicians and conservators is projected to grow 3.6% from 2025 to 2035, about as fast as the 3.5% average for all occupations. The BLS projects about 1,600 openings each year, from growth and from workers leaving the occupation.
Do you need a degree to become a museum technician and conservator?
The BLS lists the typical entry-level education for museum technicians and conservators as a bachelor's degree, so a college degree is usually expected.
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