How much do Museum Technicians and Conservators make?
The median pay for Museum Technicians and Conservators in the United States is $51,440 per year — about $24.73 per hour. Entry-level positions start near $33,780, while the most experienced professionals in the top 10% earn $87,530.
That is $9,950 less than the median across all occupations in BLS data ($61,390).
Museum Technicians and Conservators salary range by percentile
Half of all Museum Technicians and Conservators earn between $41,050 and $67,640 a year.
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $33,780 | $16.24 | |
| 25th percentile (early career) | $41,050 | $19.74 | |
| 50th percentile (median) | $51,440 | $24.73 | |
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $67,640 | $32.52 | |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $87,530 | $42.08 |
Highest-paying states for Museum Technicians and Conservators
Where you work matters more than almost anything else. Maryland leads the country for Museum Technicians and Conservators pay at $76,900 a year, followed by District of Columbia ($76,110) and New York ($74,550). At the other end, Louisiana posts the lowest median at $32,350 — a gap of $44,550 for the same job, driven by local demand, industry mix, and cost of living.
| # | State | Median salary | Hourly | vs national |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Maryland | $76,900 | $36.97 | +49% |
| 2 | District of Columbia | $76,110 | $36.59 | +48% |
| 3 | New York | $74,550 | $35.84 | +45% |
| 4 | Connecticut | $62,030 | $29.82 | +21% |
| 5 | California | $61,550 | $29.59 | +20% |
Museum Technicians and Conservators salary in every state
Official BLS state-level figures across 45 states and territories. Click a state for the full local breakdown.
Workforce and education
About 12,000 people work as Museum Technicians and Conservators in the United States. The mean (average) wage is $57,410 — above the median, which means high earners pull the average up. On qualifications: a bachelor's degree (about 4 years of college) is the standard entry requirement, per O*NET occupation data.
Frequently asked questions
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