Museum Technicians and Conservators salary in California
Museum Technicians and Conservators in California earn a median of $61,550 a year ($29.59 an hour), based on BLS data for 1,610 workers.
Pay ranges from $39,660 for the lowest-paid 10% to $86,200 for the top 10%. That is 20% higher than the national median of $51,440. California ranks 5th of 45 states for museum technicians and conservators pay, one of the best-paying states for this job. There are 0.09 museum technicians and conservators per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $64,000, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for museum technicians and conservators in California
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $39,660 | $19.07 |
| 25th percentile | $49,600 | $23.85 |
| Median | $61,550 | $29.59 |
| 75th percentile | $75,960 | $36.52 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $86,200 | $41.44 |
| Average (mean) | $64,000 | $30.77 |
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 | $5,129.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,564.58 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,367.31 |
| Weekly | $1,183.65 |
| Hourly | $29.59 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Museum Technicians and Conservators salary in cities in California
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA | $75,100 | 30 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | $75,020 | 420 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $62,290 | 40 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | $61,040 | 80 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $60,540 | 60 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $60,510 | n/a |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | $56,590 | 180 |
| Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA | $51,170 | 40 |
| Fresno, CA | $37,290 | 50 |
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 California
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Librarians and Media Collections Specialists | $89,790 | $43.17 |
| Library Technician | $53,260 | $25.61 |
| Archivist | $70,530 | $33.91 |
| Curator | $78,740 | $37.86 |
| Teaching Assistants, Except Postsecondary | $46,490 | — |
| Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education | $99,650 | — |
| Substitute Teachers, Short-Term | $60,300 | $28.99 |
| Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education | $101,370 | — |
| Self-Enrichment Teacher | $49,570 | $23.83 |
| Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education | $47,400 | $22.79 |
| Tutor | $45,100 | $21.69 |
| Educational Instruction and Library Workers, All Other | $64,100 | $30.82 |
| Postsecondary Teachers, All Other | $100,690 | — |
| Middle School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education | $98,950 | — |
More: Educational Instruction and Library Occupations · all salaries in California
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 California?
The median salary for museum technicians and conservators in California is $61,550 a year, or $29.59 an hour. Pay ranges from $39,660 for the lowest-paid 10% to $86,200 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid museum technicians and conservators make in California?
The top 10% of museum technicians and conservators in California earn at least $86,200 a year. The top 25% earn $75,960 or more.
What is the starting pay for museum technicians and conservators in California?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $39,660 a year, and a quarter of museum technicians and conservators earn $49,600 or less.
How many museum technicians and conservators work in California?
About 1,610 museum technicians and conservators are employed in California, not counting the self-employed.