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Conservators and Conservation Technicians

Overview

Conservators analyze and assess the condition of artifacts and pieces of art, plan for the care of art collections, and carry out conservation treatments and programs. Conservators may be in private practice or work for museums, historical societies, or state institutions. When conserving artifacts or artwork, these professionals must select methods and materials that preserve and retain the original integrity of each piece. Conservators must be knowledgeable about the objects in their care, which may be natural objects, such as bones and fossils, or human-made objects, such as paintings, sculpture, paper, and metal.

Conservation technicians work under the supervision of conservators and complete maintenance work on the collection.

There are approximately 14,400 conservators and museum technicians employed in the United States.

Salary Range

$25,000 to $100,000+

Minimum Education Level

Bachelor's Degree

Certification/License

Recommended

Outlook

Much Faster than the Average
Personality Traits

Hands On

Problem-Solving

Technical

Career Ladder
Consultant, or Curator, or Appraiser

Conservator

Conservation Technician

Apprentice or Intern