It is difficult to say how much the average book conservator makes since many conservators work part time, are self-employed, or have positions that encompass other duties as well. In August 2024, ZipRecruiter reported the average salary for book conservators was $61,742. The U.S. Department of Labor reports that in May 2023, museum conservators and technicians (which could include book conservators) had a median annual income of $48,670. The lowest paid 10 percent earned less than $30,730 yearly, and the highest paid 10 percent made more than $84,400 per year. Often the size of the employer affects how much a conservator earns, with larger employers able to pay more. In addition, book conservators in major metropolitan areas generally earn more than those in small cities, and those with greater skills also command higher salaries.
Conservators who work for libraries, conservation organizations, large corporations, institutions, or government agencies generally receive a full range of benefits, including health care coverage, vacation days, paid holidays and sick time, and retirement savings plans. Self-employed book conservators usually have to provide their own benefits. All conservators have the added benefit of working with rare and unique materials. They have the opportunity to work with history and preserve an artifact for the future.
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