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.
Move2
Ensure the care and preservation of objects
+Survey the medieval textile storage racks today: check humidity, inspect each textile for pest activity and…
Ensure the care and preservation of objects
+Survey the medieval textile storage racks today: check humidity, inspect each textile for pest activity and tensile damage, record condition notes and recommended microclimate changes in the conservation record, and flag anything needing urgent treatment.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft ExcelESCOjob descriptionsO*NET
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Supervise and work with volunteers
+Schedule and run the volunteer shift this Saturday, brief Anna and Marcus on handling fragile ceramics,…
Supervise and work with volunteers
+Schedule and run the volunteer shift this Saturday, brief Anna and Marcus on handling fragile ceramics, assign one to label incoming items, observe their technique, correct any unsafe handling, and email a short skills log and next steps afterward.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft OutlookMicrosoft Wordjob descriptionsO*NET
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Fixing1
Repair, restore, and reassemble artifacts
+Repair the broken wooden frame from gallery 2: consolidate loose joints with reversible adhesive, replace…
Repair, restore, and reassemble artifacts
+Repair the broken wooden frame from gallery 2: consolidate loose joints with reversible adhesive, replace missing dowels, document every step with before and after photos and materials log, and file the treatment report in the object history folder when finished.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft Wordjob descriptionsO*NET
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Analysing2
Study object documentation and conduct physical tests
+Review the accession file for ceramic bowl 2005.78, run pH and fiber sampling results against the…
Study object documentation and conduct physical tests
+Review the accession file for ceramic bowl 2005.78, run pH and fiber sampling results against the documentation, note discrepancies, design two nondestructive tests to confirm glaze composition, and enter findings and recommended next steps into the conservation record.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft ExcelMicrosoft Wordjob descriptionsO*NET
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Photograph objects for documentation
+Photograph the five recently conserved metal and ceramic objects on the lightbox, record the accession number…
Photograph objects for documentation
+Photograph the five recently conserved metal and ceramic objects on the lightbox, record the accession number and condition notes on each image, include a scale and color card, and upload final TIFFs to the collections folder by Wednesday.
The tools that do the workAdobe Photoshopjob descriptionsO*NET
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Care1
Lead tours and educational courses
+Lead the Saturday afternoon hands-on tour for the conservation course, prepare three objects to demonstrate…
Lead tours and educational courses
+Lead the Saturday afternoon hands-on tour for the conservation course, prepare three objects to demonstrate cleaning techniques, hand out the two-page condition checklist, solicit questions about ethics and treatment decisions, and collect feedback at the end.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft PowerPointjob descriptionsO*NET
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The daily work14
Maintain and clean artifacts using cleansers and solvents
+Clean the Roman bronze bowl with the 2% non-ionic surfactant solution, swab corrosion spots gently with a…
Maintain and clean artifacts using cleansers and solvents
+Clean the Roman bronze bowl with the 2% non-ionic surfactant solution, swab corrosion spots gently with a cotton bud, record solvents used and time spent in the treatment log, and refrigerate the object for 24 hours before reinspection.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft Wordjob descriptionsO*NET
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Enter collection data into computer databases
+Enter accession 2019.47 details: object title, dimensions, condition report, treatment history and current…
Enter collection data into computer databases
+Enter accession 2019.47 details: object title, dimensions, condition report, treatment history and current location into the collection database, attach photos taken today and flag any missing provenance paperwork for registrar follow-up.
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.
+Assess the cracked wooden panel from Gallery B, document structural damage and pigment loss, decide between…
Determine whether objects need repair and choose the safest and most effective method of repair.
+Assess the cracked wooden panel from Gallery B, document structural damage and pigment loss, decide between adhesive consolidation or dowel reinforcement based on joint stability, and write a recommended method with required materials and risk level.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft WordO*NET
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Notify superior when restoration of artifacts requires outside experts.
+Email Senior Conservator Lisa Walker to report that the 18th‑century lacquer box requires lacquer specialist…
Notify superior when restoration of artifacts requires outside experts.
+Email Senior Conservator Lisa Walker to report that the 18th‑century lacquer box requires lacquer specialist input, attach high-resolution condition images, state why in-house methods are insufficient, and request an external conservator quote by next Tuesday.
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.
+Confirm my textiles specialization for the annual staffing roster, list current treatments on embroidered…
Specialize in particular materials or types of object, such as documents and books, paintings, decorative arts, textiles, metals, or architectural materials.
+Confirm my textiles specialization for the annual staffing roster, list current treatments on embroidered samplers, training completed in humidification techniques, and suggest two cross-training sessions for paper conservators this quarter.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft WordO*NET
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Deliver artwork on courier trips.
+Plan the courier delivery of the landscape painting to the regional loan: pack with museum-grade crating,…
Deliver artwork on courier trips.
+Plan the courier delivery of the landscape painting to the regional loan: pack with museum-grade crating, photograph condition report before transit, book insured courier for Friday departure, and circulate the itinerary and packing list to Registrar and Security.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft OutlookMicrosoft ExcelO*NET
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Play a role in collections care
+Update the object care schedule for the Egyptian textile collection, note treatments due this quarter, assign…
Play a role in collections care
+Update the object care schedule for the Egyptian textile collection, note treatments due this quarter, assign weekly humidity log checks to Sam and Riley, flag any objects needing emergency stabilization, and notify collections manager by Thursday if risks rise.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft WordMicrosoft OutlookESCO
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Document museum collection
+Create catalogue records for the 19 carved bone tools from trench B: describe materials, measurements,…
Document museum collection
+Create catalogue records for the 19 carved bone tools from trench B: describe materials, measurements, condition issues, proposed treatments, attach current photographs, and submit the packet to Dr. Alvarez by next Wednesday for accessioning.
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Estimate cost of restoration work.
+Estimate a full restoration budget for the Roman ceramic bowl from accession 1998.72: list materials,…
Estimate cost of restoration work.
+Estimate a full restoration budget for the Roman ceramic bowl from accession 1998.72: list materials, conservation hours by task, specialist subcontract fees, contingencies, and a final cost and brief justification to submit to Collections by next Wednesday.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft ExcelO*NET
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Restore objects for storage, research, or exhibit
+Prepare the treatment plan and schedule to restore the textile tunic from donor case 23 for the February…
Restore objects for storage, research, or exhibit
+Prepare the treatment plan and schedule to restore the textile tunic from donor case 23 for the February exhibit: outline cleaning, stabilization, humidification cycles, display mounting requirements, estimated hours, and risks for the curator to approve by Monday.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft Wordjob descriptions
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Design and fabricate missing or broken parts
+Design and produce a replacement wooden finial and threaded support rod for the 18th-century chair leg so it…
Design and fabricate missing or broken parts
+Design and produce a replacement wooden finial and threaded support rod for the 18th-century chair leg so it will carry display weight: dimension the part from the object drawings, list materials and fastenings, produce fabrication drawings and a cutting list for the workshop by Friday.
The tools that do the workAutodesk AutoCADjob descriptions
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Prepare reports on conservation operations
+Compile the conservation report for last quarter covering 42 treatments: include object IDs, condition before…
Prepare reports on conservation operations
+Compile the conservation report for last quarter covering 42 treatments: include object IDs, condition before and after, treatment summaries, photos with captions, materials used, hours logged, and recommendations for future monitoring to send to the registrar on Friday.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft WordAdobe Acrobatjob descriptions
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Classify and assign registration numbers to artifacts
+Assign registration numbers and classification entries for the 58 newly accessioned ethnographic items from…
Classify and assign registration numbers to artifacts
+Assign registration numbers and classification entries for the 58 newly accessioned ethnographic items from Lot 7: create catalogue entries with provenance, materials, measurements, suggested object terms, and register numbers, then send the batch to Registration for stamping today.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft Exceljob descriptions
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Monitor environmental conditions for collections
+Monitor and report weekly environmental conditions for the low-temperature storage: compile temperature and…
Monitor environmental conditions for collections
+Monitor and report weekly environmental conditions for the low-temperature storage: compile temperature and RH logged for the past seven days, flag any excursions beyond 18–22°C or 45–55% RH, note likely causes and immediate recommendations, and email Facilities by Monday morning.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft Exceljob descriptions
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Built on public evidence: O*NET®, ESCO, Wikipedia, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, ILOSTAT. All sources & licenses