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Creative Industries

Museum Technician and Conservator

Restore, maintain, or prepare objects in museum collections for storage, research, or exhibit. May work with specimens such as fossils, skeletal parts, or botanicals; or artifacts, textiles, or art. May identify and record objects or install and arrange them in exhibits. Includes book or document conservators.

Annual openings

37

Median wage

$51,990

Typical education

At least a Master's degree

Growth 2026–2032

+13%

Median wage source: Colorado BLS OEWS (2025).

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Career requirements

What does this career require?

Explore education, required qualifications, voluntary credentials and employer preferences for this role. Check the details to see which apply.

Typical education

At least a Master's degree

Credential requirement

Credential requirements not reported

Work experience

Extensive experience through internships and fellowships is expected.

Work-based learning

No information available

Is this work a fit?

What the work actually feels like

How people in this career tend to spend their time, the interests it draws on, and a look at a typical day.

Work style

The type of work can vary by job and employer.

  • With childrenNo
  • On a computerYes
  • OutdoorsNo
  • With your handsMay vary

Interests it draws on

  • Arts, Design, and Entertainment
  • Arts and Design

Automation exposure

Moderate exposure

Some routine tasks may shift as tools improve, but the role is likely to adapt.

A typical day

  1. Install, arrange, assemble, and prepare artifacts for exhibition, ensuring the artifacts' safety, reporting their status and condition, and identifying and correcting any problems with the set up.
  2. Repair, restore, and reassemble artifacts, designing and fabricating missing or broken parts, to restore them to their original appearance and prevent deterioration.
  3. Clean objects, such as paper, textiles, wood, metal, glass, rock, pottery, and furniture, using cleansers, solvents, soap solutions, and polishes.
  4. Photograph objects for documentation.
  5. Determine whether objects need repair and choose the safest and most effective method of repair.
  6. Prepare artifacts for storage and shipping.
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