Museum Technicians and Conservator Salary in 2026
How Much Do Museum Technicians and Conservators Make?
Museum Technicians and Conservators earn a median annual salary of $47,460 as of 2026, based on BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) data. Wages span from $30,720 at the 10th percentile to $82,790 at the 90th percentile — a range of $52,070. The highest-paying state is District of Columbia at $74,300.
| Percentile | Annual salary |
|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $30,720 |
| 25th percentile | $37,460 |
| Median (50th) | $47,460 |
| 75th percentile | $62,990 |
| 90th percentile | $82,790 |
Museum Technicians and Conservator Salary by State
Median annual salary across all 50 states. Click a column to sort.
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| District of Columbiatop | $74,300 |
| Maryland | $72,950 |
| Connecticut | $66,070 |
| New York | $64,680 |
| Alaska | $63,490 |
| Massachusetts | $59,130 |
| California | $58,960 |
| Washington | $58,470 |
| Rhode Island | $54,230 |
| Colorado | $51,780 |
| New Mexico | $51,170 |
| Florida | $49,740 |
| Wyoming | $49,250 |
| Indiana | $49,240 |
| Virginia | $48,640 |
| Georgia | $48,380 |
| West Virginia | $47,910 |
| Iowa | $47,520 |
| Ohio | $47,060 |
| Missouri | $46,680 |
| Pennsylvania | $46,230 |
| Illinois | $46,170 |
| Maine | $45,640 |
| Arizona | $44,460 |
| Oregon | $44,260 |
| Arkansas | $43,810 |
| Utah | $43,230 |
| Minnesota | $43,210 |
| Nevada | $42,800 |
| Tennessee | $41,910 |
| New Jersey | $41,700 |
| Alabama | $41,420 |
| Oklahoma | $41,340 |
| Idaho | $40,800 |
| Kansas | $40,190 |
| Nebraska | $39,560 |
| Montana | $39,550 |
| North Carolina | $39,190 |
| Hawaii | $38,380 |
| Michigan | $38,140 |
| Delaware | $37,330 |
| South Carolina | $36,500 |
| South Dakota | $36,200 |
| Louisiana | $34,680 |
| Kentucky | $34,570 |
| Texas | $34,320 |
| Wisconsin | $32,940 |
Highest-Paying Metros for Museum Technicians and Conservators
Museum Technicians and Conservator Salary by Experience
Estimated salary ranges derived from BLS wage percentiles. Entry level corresponds to P10–P25, mid-career to the median, experienced to P75, and senior to P90+.
| Experience level | Estimated salary |
|---|---|
| Entry level (0–2 yrs) | ~$30,720 – $37,460 |
| Mid career (3–7 yrs) | ~$47,460 |
| Experienced (8–15 yrs) | ~$62,990 |
| Senior (15+ yrs) | $82,790+ |
How to Earn More as a Museum Technicians and Conservator
Location is the single biggest salary lever: Museum Technicians and Conservators in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV earn $74,370 — $26,910 above the national median. An advanced credential — such as a graduate degree or specialized certification — is consistently associated with higher earnings in this field. Reaching the 75th percentile ($62,990) typically requires 5–10 years of experience plus specialization in a high-demand area.
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Museum Technicians and Conservator Salary vs Similar Careers
| Career | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Museum Technicians and Conservatorthis career | $47,460 |
| Civil Engineering Technologists and Technician | $64,200 |
| Conservation Scientist | $67,950 |
| Historian | $74,050 |
| Chemical Technician | $57,790 |
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SOC: 25-4013.00 · Data: BLS OEWS 2026, O*NET 29.1 · Salary figures are national medians unless otherwise noted.