Museum Technicians and Conservators salary in District of Columbia
Museum Technicians and Conservators in District of Columbia earn a median of $76,110 a year ($36.59 an hour), based on BLS data for 520 workers.
Pay ranges from $36,420 for the lowest-paid 10% to $118,290 for the top 10%. That is 48% higher than the national median of $51,440. District of Columbia ranks 2nd of 45 states for museum technicians and conservators pay, one of the best-paying states for this job. There are 0.74 museum technicians and conservators per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 9.3× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $78,090, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for museum technicians and conservators in District of Columbia
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $36,420 | $17.51 |
| 25th percentile | $50,750 | $24.40 |
| Median | $76,110 | $36.59 |
| 75th percentile | $98,890 | $47.55 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $118,290 | $56.87 |
| Average (mean) | $78,090 | $37.54 |
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 | $6,342.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,171.25 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,927.31 |
| Weekly | $1,463.65 |
| Hourly | $36.59 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $76,110 salary, see how much house you can afford in District of Columbia at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Museum Technicians and Conservators salary in cities in District of Columbia
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $79,230 | 970 |
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 |
Related jobs in District of Columbia
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Librarians and Media Collections Specialists | $96,550 | $46.42 |
| Library Technician | $61,040 | $29.35 |
| Archivist | $93,040 | $44.73 |
| Curator | $93,310 | $44.86 |
| Teaching Assistants, Except Postsecondary | $46,920 | — |
| Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education | $96,580 | — |
| Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education | $82,750 | — |
| Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education | $62,150 | $29.88 |
| Middle School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education | $79,900 | — |
| Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary | $167,520 | — |
| Instructional Coordinator | $105,990 | $50.96 |
| Political Science Teachers, Postsecondary | $102,310 | — |
| Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten and Elementary School | $97,910 | — |
| Teachers and Instructors, All Other | $93,040 | — |
More: Educational Instruction and Library Occupations · all salaries in District of Columbia
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 District of Columbia?
The median salary for museum technicians and conservators in District of Columbia is $76,110 a year, or $36.59 an hour. Pay ranges from $36,420 for the lowest-paid 10% to $118,290 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid museum technicians and conservators make in District of Columbia?
The top 10% of museum technicians and conservators in District of Columbia earn at least $118,290 a year. The top 25% earn $98,890 or more.
What is the starting pay for museum technicians and conservators in District of Columbia?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $36,420 a year, and a quarter of museum technicians and conservators earn $50,750 or less.
How many museum technicians and conservators work in District of Columbia?
About 520 museum technicians and conservators are employed in District of Columbia, not counting the self-employed.