What it pays
Government survey numbers — not estimates, not ads.
Half of all Museum Technicians and Conservators in the U.S. earn more than $51,440 a year — the middle 80% land between $33,780 and $87,530. About 12,310 people in the U.S. do this work. Figures are for the U.S. occupation group “Museum Technicians and Conservators”. (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics survey, published 2025.) In India, Professionals earn about ₹38,298 a month on average — around ₹4.6 lakh a year (government PLFS survey via ILOSTAT, occupation-family figure).
$51,440typical pay / year
12,310people in this work
$87,530+top 10% earn
₹4.6 lakha year in India (family avg)
Think you get this job?Six quick questions on how it really works — with a hint and the reason behind every answer.
Test yourself →The work, task by task
These are the real jobs-to-be-done, not a wish list. Each task shows where we found it, and the prompt underneath is written for that exact task.
Keeping the record3
Ensure the care and preservation of objects
+Catalogue the lacquer box from Gallery 3, record dimensions, materials, and previous treatments, tag its…
Ensure the care and preservation of objects
+Catalogue the lacquer box from Gallery 3, record dimensions, materials, and previous treatments, tag its location, update its humidity and light exposure log, and schedule a quarterly condition check with conservation for October 15th.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft ExcelESCOjob descriptionsO*NET
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Study object documentation and conduct physical tests
+Review the 1954 provenance folder for accession 1978.45, run pH and salt tests on the textile sample, compare…
Study object documentation and conduct physical tests
+Review the 1954 provenance folder for accession 1978.45, run pH and salt tests on the textile sample, compare results to the conservation notes, and recommend appropriate storage fabric and desiccant levels in a memo by Friday.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft Wordjob descriptionsO*NET
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Photograph objects for documentation
+Set up a neutral backdrop and scale board, photograph accession 2001.12 in four orthogonal views and detail…
Photograph objects for documentation
+Set up a neutral backdrop and scale board, photograph accession 2001.12 in four orthogonal views and detail shots, export lossless image files, and attach them to the object record with captions noting condition and lighting on Monday morning.
The tools that do the workAdobe Photoshopjob descriptionsO*NET
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Analysing1
Repair, restore, and reassemble artifacts
+Stabilise the ceramic bowl from Storage Rack B, consolidate loose glaze with reversible adhesive, realign…
Repair, restore, and reassemble artifacts
+Stabilise the ceramic bowl from Storage Rack B, consolidate loose glaze with reversible adhesive, realign three fractured shards, photograph the joins, and file the treatment report for the accession file by next Tuesday.
The tools that do the workAdobe Photoshopjob descriptionsO*NET
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Care2
Supervise and work with volunteers
+Run the volunteer shift on Saturday: brief Anna and Jamal on handling protocols, assign packing,…
Supervise and work with volunteers
+Run the volunteer shift on Saturday: brief Anna and Jamal on handling protocols, assign packing, surface-cleaning, and labeling tasks, monitor their techniques for two hours, and email volunteer hours and corrective notes to Volunteer Coordinator by Sunday.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft Outlookjob descriptionsO*NET
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Lead tours and educational courses
+Lead the noon gallery tour for the school group, present the exhibition narrative focused on conservation…
Lead tours and educational courses
+Lead the noon gallery tour for the school group, present the exhibition narrative focused on conservation stories, demonstrate safe object handling with a replica, collect three written questions, and upload the attendance list and feedback form to the education file afterward.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft Wordjob descriptionsO*NET
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The daily work14
Maintain and clean artifacts using cleansers and solvents
+Clean the bronze plaque with approved conservation solvent and soft brushes, test a hidden area first, log…
Maintain and clean artifacts using cleansers and solvents
+Clean the bronze plaque with approved conservation solvent and soft brushes, test a hidden area first, log the solvent lot number and contact Emily in collections if any gilding lifts, then update the physical treatment record tonight.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft Wordjob descriptionsO*NET
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Enter collection data into computer databases
+Enter the twenty new accession records from today’s intake into the catalogue system, include measurements,…
Enter collection data into computer databases
+Enter the twenty new accession records from today’s intake into the catalogue system, include measurements, condition notes and provenance, attach the digital photos, and run a duplicates check before I finish my shift at 4pm.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft Exceljob descriptionsO*NET
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Determine whether objects need repair and choose the safest and most effective method of repair.
+Examine the torn map, photograph damage, record structural issues and recommended interventions, propose…
Determine whether objects need repair and choose the safest and most effective method of repair.
+Examine the torn map, photograph damage, record structural issues and recommended interventions, propose adhesive consolidation or paper backing with justification, and schedule a conservator review if seams or inks are unstable.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft WordO*NET
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Notify superior when restoration of artifacts requires outside experts.
+If the seventeenth-century textile needs needlework or wet treatments beyond our scope, notify Sara in…
Notify superior when restoration of artifacts requires outside experts.
+If the seventeenth-century textile needs needlework or wet treatments beyond our scope, notify Sara in conservation with photos, the condition report, and a recommended vendor list, requesting her approval to outsource by Friday.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft OutlookO*NET
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Specialize in particular materials or types of object, such as documents and books, paintings, decorative arts, textiles, metals, or architectural materials.
+Document my study of nineteenth-century leather bindings, note their tannin-related degradation and…
Specialize in particular materials or types of object, such as documents and books, paintings, decorative arts, textiles, metals, or architectural materials.
+Document my study of nineteenth-century leather bindings, note their tannin-related degradation and recommended humidity range, prepare a short best-practice note for the reading-room staff, and circulate it to Helen and the curators Monday morning.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft WordO*NET
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Deliver artwork on courier trips.
+Pack the framed watercolor for the courier run to Cambridge, label it fragile with orientation and insurance…
Deliver artwork on courier trips.
+Pack the framed watercolor for the courier run to Cambridge, label it fragile with orientation and insurance value, copy the condition report and shipment checklist into the courier folder, and confirm pickup time with Marcus before I leave.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft ExcelMicrosoft OutlookO*NET
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Play a role in collections care
+Survey the textile storage room, record each item's accession number, material, condition notes, and current…
Play a role in collections care
+Survey the textile storage room, record each item's accession number, material, condition notes, and current location, tag any with active pest or mould signs for immediate conservation review, and update the central collection log by end of Wednesday.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft ExcelESCO
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Document museum collection
+Photograph the newly received ceramic vessels, capture front, back, base, and damage details, write accession…
Document museum collection
+Photograph the newly received ceramic vessels, capture front, back, base, and damage details, write accession numbers, dimensions, materials and condition reports, attach images to each record and file the completed documentation before the weekend intake review.
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Estimate cost of restoration work.
+Estimate total restoration cost for the 1890 silver tea set, listing materials, conservation hours,…
Estimate cost of restoration work.
+Estimate total restoration cost for the 1890 silver tea set, listing materials, conservation hours, specialist subcontractor fees, and contingency to arrive at a museum-chargeable figure for the curator by next Wednesday.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft ExcelO*NET
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Restore objects for storage, research, or exhibit
+Prepare a treatment plan to stabilise and store the 1920 textile dress for storage, detailing cleaning steps,…
Restore objects for storage, research, or exhibit
+Prepare a treatment plan to stabilise and store the 1920 textile dress for storage, detailing cleaning steps, supports, housing materials, estimated hours, and return-to-storage environmental conditions for the registrar by Friday.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft Wordjob descriptions
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Design and fabricate missing or broken parts
+Design and dimension replacement wooden dowel and brass hinge parts for the oak cabinet, including material…
Design and fabricate missing or broken parts
+Design and dimension replacement wooden dowel and brass hinge parts for the oak cabinet, including material specs and tolerances so the workshop can fabricate and fit them during the Tuesday conservation shift.
The tools that do the workAutodesk AutoCADjob descriptions
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Prepare reports on conservation operations
+Compile the fortnightly conservation report summarising treatments completed, hours logged, materials used,…
Prepare reports on conservation operations
+Compile the fortnightly conservation report summarising treatments completed, hours logged, materials used, outstanding issues, and recommended next steps for the head conservator and collections committee by Monday morning.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft WordMicrosoft Exceljob descriptions
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Classify and assign registration numbers to artifacts
+Assign registration numbers and classification for the ten accessioned ceramics, create labels with…
Classify and assign registration numbers to artifacts
+Assign registration numbers and classification for the ten accessioned ceramics, create labels with provenance notes and condition codes, and update the central catalogue so the registrar can approve entries before Friday.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft Exceljob descriptions
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Monitor environmental conditions for collections
+Compile and send the weekly environmental log, flagging any temperature or RH excursions in the storage wing,…
Monitor environmental conditions for collections
+Compile and send the weekly environmental log, flagging any temperature or RH excursions in the storage wing, include trend charts and recommended actions for facilities and the collections manager by end of day tomorrow.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft Exceljob descriptions
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Says who?
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The logs, files & records this job keeps
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Same family of work — each with its own tasks and prompts.
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Built on public evidence: O*NET®, ESCO, Wikipedia, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, ILOSTAT. All sources & licenses
Built on public evidence: O*NET®, ESCO, Wikipedia, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, ILOSTAT. All sources & licenses