Museum Technicians and Conservators salary in Iowa
Museum Technicians and Conservators in Iowa earn a median of $51,740 a year ($24.87 an hour), based on BLS data for 100 workers.
Pay ranges from $34,370 for the lowest-paid 10% to $82,020 for the top 10%. That is 1% higher than the national median of $51,440. Iowa ranks 17th of 45 states for museum technicians and conservators pay. There are 0.06 museum technicians and conservators per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.78). The average (mean) salary is $55,010, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for museum technicians and conservators in Iowa
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $34,370 | $16.53 |
| 25th percentile | $39,250 | $18.87 |
| Median | $51,740 | $24.87 |
| 75th percentile | $68,450 | $32.91 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $82,020 | $39.43 |
| Average (mean) | $55,010 | $26.45 |
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 | $4,311.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,155.83 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,990 |
| Weekly | $995 |
| Hourly | $24.87 |
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 Iowa
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA | $68,960 | 30 |
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 Iowa
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Librarians and Media Collections Specialists | $58,440 | $28.09 |
| Library Technician | $38,590 | $18.55 |
| Curator | $53,830 | $25.88 |
| Archivist | $59,010 | $28.37 |
| Teaching Assistants, Except Postsecondary | $30,510 | — |
| Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education | $60,580 | — |
| Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education | $61,200 | — |
| Substitute Teachers, Short-Term | $37,230 | $17.90 |
| Middle School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education | $60,450 | — |
| Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education | $33,830 | $16.26 |
| Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary | $128,490 | — |
| Self-Enrichment Teacher | $35,670 | $17.15 |
| Instructional Coordinator | $74,970 | $36.04 |
| Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten and Elementary School | $60,440 | — |
More: Educational Instruction and Library Occupations · all salaries in Iowa
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 Iowa?
The median salary for museum technicians and conservators in Iowa is $51,740 a year, or $24.87 an hour. Pay ranges from $34,370 for the lowest-paid 10% to $82,020 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid museum technicians and conservators make in Iowa?
The top 10% of museum technicians and conservators in Iowa earn at least $82,020 a year. The top 25% earn $68,450 or more.
What is the starting pay for museum technicians and conservators in Iowa?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $34,370 a year, and a quarter of museum technicians and conservators earn $39,250 or less.
How many museum technicians and conservators work in Iowa?
About 100 museum technicians and conservators are employed in Iowa, not counting the self-employed.