California Median
$61,550
per year
Hourly Rate
$29.59
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+20% vs US median
US median $51,440
State Rank
#5 of 45
1,610 employed here
How much do Museum Technicians and Conservators make in California?
Museum Technicians and Conservators working in California earn a median salary of $61,550 per year, or about $29.59 per hour. That is 20% above the national median of $51,440 for this occupation.
Within California, entry-level pay starts around $39,660 while the top 10% make $86,200 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $49,600 and $75,960 a year.
Museum Technicians and Conservators salary range in California
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $39,660 | $19.07 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $49,600 | $23.85 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $61,550 | $29.59 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $75,960 | $36.52 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $86,200 | $41.44 |
|
How California compares
California ranks 5th out of 45 states and territories for Museum Technicians and Conservators pay. The top 5 best-paying states:
Museum Technicians and Conservators salary in other states
Maryland $76,900District of Columbia $76,110New York $74,550Connecticut $62,030Alaska $60,840Washington $59,610Massachusetts $58,530Illinois $56,720New Mexico $56,670Nevada $56,470Wyoming $56,420Rhode Island $55,470Florida $53,460Virginia $52,190Colorado $51,990Iowa $51,740Minnesota $50,140Kentucky $49,940Georgia $49,270Missouri $49,170Maine $48,460Oklahoma $48,090Ohio $47,570Pennsylvania $47,150Arizona $46,650Indiana $46,490Kansas $46,320Texas $45,880Oregon $45,820Tennessee $44,710New Jersey $43,780Idaho $43,520Montana $42,390Nebraska $41,960Arkansas $41,280Hawaii $40,170North Carolina $39,290Michigan $39,000Wisconsin $38,840Alabama $38,350South Carolina $38,290Delaware $38,080Utah $35,430Louisiana $32,350
Working as Museum Technicians and Conservators in California
Nationally, about 12,000 people work as Museum Technicians and Conservators in the United States. A bachelor's degree (about 4 years of college) is the standard entry requirement.
Considering a move? Compare California pay ($61,550) against the highest-paying state above, and weigh the difference against housing and everyday costs — a smaller paycheck in a cheaper state can stretch further.
Frequently asked questions
How much do Museum Technicians and Conservators make in California?
The median Museum Technicians and Conservators salary in California is $61,550 per year, or about $29.59 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $39,660 at the entry level to $86,200 for the top 10% of earners.
How does California pay compare to the national average?
California pays Museum Technicians and Conservators about 20% more than the national median of $51,440. California ranks 5th out of 45 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is California a good state for Museum Technicians and Conservators?
Yes on pay — California pays above the national median for this occupation, at $61,550 a year. About 1,610 Museum Technicians and Conservators are employed in California. Weigh that against local housing and living costs before moving.
What are the highest-paying jobs in California?
The highest-paying occupations in California include Ophthalmologist, Except Pediatric ($400,150), Neurologist ($357,080), Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers ($353,900), based on median annual pay in official BLS state estimates.
← See the national Museum Technicians and Conservators salary report
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Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), Unknown vintage. Education requirements: O*NET (U.S. Department of Labor). State figures are official BLS state-level wage estimates. Where BLS suppresses a state percentile, it is scaled from the official national distribution. Individual pay varies by employer, metro area, and experience.