Museum Technicians and Conservators salary in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA
Museum Technicians and Conservators in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area earn a median of $68,960 a year ($33.16 an hour), based on BLS data for 30 workers.
Pay ranges from $37,910 for the lowest-paid 10% to $86,330 for the top 10%. That is 34% higher than the national median of $51,440. Pay here is 33% higher than the Iowa statewide median of $51,740. There are 0.08 museum technicians and conservators per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $65,680, close to the median.
Pay range for museum technicians and conservators in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $37,910 | $18.23 |
| 25th percentile | $45,610 | $21.93 |
| Median | $68,960 | $33.16 |
| 75th percentile | $83,110 | $39.96 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $86,330 | $41.51 |
| Average (mean) | $65,680 | $31.58 |
Half of museum technicians and conservators earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $5,746.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,873.33 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,652.31 |
| Weekly | $1,326.15 |
| Hourly | $33.16 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $68,960 salary, see how much house you can afford in Iowa at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Highest-paying states for museum technicians and conservators
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Maryland | $76,900 |
| District of Columbia | $76,110 |
| New York | $74,550 |
| Connecticut | $62,030 |
| California | $61,550 |
| Alaska | $60,840 |
| Washington | $59,610 |
| Massachusetts | $58,530 |
| Illinois | $56,720 |
| New Mexico | $56,670 |
See Museum Technicians and Conservators pay in every state or the Iowa statewide figures.
Related jobs in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Library Technician | $46,840 | $22.52 |
| Librarians and Media Collections Specialists | $75,960 | $36.52 |
| Curator | $48,600 | $23.36 |
| Teaching Assistants, Except Postsecondary | $34,620 | — |
| Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education | $61,650 | — |
| Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education | $62,480 | — |
| Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education | $33,850 | $16.27 |
| Substitute Teachers, Short-Term | $37,750 | $18.15 |
| Middle School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education | $60,980 | — |
| Self-Enrichment Teacher | $34,880 | $16.77 |
| Instructional Coordinator | $76,600 | $36.83 |
| Special Education Teachers, Secondary School | $60,310 | — |
| Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten and Elementary School | $59,780 | — |
| Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary | $102,220 | — |
More: Educational Instruction and Library Occupations · all salaries in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 25-4013. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a museum technicians and conservators make in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA?
The median salary for museum technicians and conservators in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area is $68,960 a year, or $33.16 an hour. Pay ranges from $37,910 for the lowest-paid 10% to $86,330 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid museum technicians and conservators make in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA?
The top 10% of museum technicians and conservators in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area earn at least $86,330 a year. The top 25% earn $83,110 or more.
What is the starting pay for museum technicians and conservators in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $37,910 a year, and a quarter of museum technicians and conservators earn $45,610 or less.
How many museum technicians and conservators work in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA?
About 30 museum technicians and conservators are employed in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area, not counting the self-employed.