Museum Technicians and Conservators
Educational Instruction and Library
Hands-on work with the collection is the core: cleaning paper, textiles, wood, metal, glass, pottery, or furniture; repairing and reassembling pieces; and fabricating missing parts when that is the safest way to stop further damage. Objects such as fossils, textiles, art, or books get photographed, logged in databases, and packed for storage or shipping. Installing an exhibit means arranging artifacts so they stay safe, then watching the setup for problems. You also advise curatorial and building staff on temperature and humidity. Precise hands-on repair and a careful record of each object are what the work asks for.
Typical education: Master’s Degree
Annual Median Wage in Field (2025)
$51'440
Median Wage Market Position
$51'440
What you might do
- Set up artifacts safely for public display
- Restore damaged pieces and make missing parts
- Clean objects with solvents, soap, or polish
- Photograph items for the permanent record
- Pack pieces for storage or shipment
- Enter collection facts into museum databases
Skills that matter
- Repair and reassembly of artifacts
- Cleaning with solvents, soaps, and polishes
- Problem-solving during exhibit installation
- Photography for collection documentation
- Recommendations on temperature and humidity
- Preparing objects for storage and shipping
AI & the future of this role
Hands-on treatment of fragile objects, materials judgment, and liability for irreversible repairs are hard to automate. Tools may assist documentation and imaging, but skilled conservation of unique artifacts remains strongly protected.
Does Museum Technicians and Conservators fit your values?
Take the free LostInCareer assessment to see personalized matches based on your core values—not just a personality label.
Related careers
Includes O*NET® 30.3 Database information by USDOL/ETA under CC BY 4.0; modified by LostInCareer. Wage/outlook from BLS. Attribution details