Museum Technicians and Conservators salary in Illinois
Museum Technicians and Conservators in Illinois earn a median of $56,720 a year ($27.27 an hour), based on BLS data for 400 workers.
Pay ranges from $38,610 for the lowest-paid 10% to $96,470 for the top 10%. That is 10% higher than the national median of $51,440. Illinois ranks 9th of 45 states for museum technicians and conservators pay. There are 0.07 museum technicians and conservators per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $59,800, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for museum technicians and conservators in Illinois
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $38,610 | $18.56 |
| 25th percentile | $47,460 | $22.82 |
| Median | $56,720 | $27.27 |
| 75th percentile | $67,190 | $32.30 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $96,470 | $46.38 |
| Average (mean) | $59,800 | $28.75 |
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 | $4,726.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,363.33 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,181.54 |
| Weekly | $1,090.77 |
| Hourly | $27.27 |
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 Illinois
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | $58,840 | 280 |
| St. Louis, MO-IL | $50,690 | 750 |
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 Illinois
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Librarians and Media Collections Specialists | $62,700 | $30.14 |
| Library Technician | $47,120 | $22.66 |
| Curator | $63,060 | $30.32 |
| Archivist | $59,340 | $28.53 |
| Teaching Assistants, Except Postsecondary | $36,990 | — |
| Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education | $75,320 | — |
| Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education | $79,990 | — |
| Middle School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education | $76,110 | — |
| Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education | $40,910 | $19.67 |
| Substitute Teachers, Short-Term | $39,410 | $18.95 |
| Self-Enrichment Teacher | $44,230 | $21.26 |
| Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten and Elementary School | $77,960 | — |
| Teaching Assistants, Postsecondary | $36,040 | — |
| Instructional Coordinator | $76,050 | $36.56 |
More: Educational Instruction and Library Occupations · all salaries in Illinois
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 Illinois?
The median salary for museum technicians and conservators in Illinois is $56,720 a year, or $27.27 an hour. Pay ranges from $38,610 for the lowest-paid 10% to $96,470 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid museum technicians and conservators make in Illinois?
The top 10% of museum technicians and conservators in Illinois earn at least $96,470 a year. The top 25% earn $67,190 or more.
What is the starting pay for museum technicians and conservators in Illinois?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $38,610 a year, and a quarter of museum technicians and conservators earn $47,460 or less.
How many museum technicians and conservators work in Illinois?
About 400 museum technicians and conservators are employed in Illinois, not counting the self-employed.