Museum Technicians and Conservators salary in Washington
Museum Technicians and Conservators in Washington earn a median of $59,610 a year ($28.66 an hour), based on BLS data for 280 workers.
Pay ranges from $42,430 for the lowest-paid 10% to $77,650 for the top 10%. That is 16% higher than the national median of $51,440. Washington ranks 7th of 45 states for museum technicians and conservators pay. There are 0.08 museum technicians and conservators per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $60,540, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for museum technicians and conservators in Washington
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $42,430 | $20.40 |
| 25th percentile | $47,750 | $22.96 |
| Median | $59,610 | $28.66 |
| 75th percentile | $65,730 | $31.60 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $77,650 | $37.33 |
| Average (mean) | $60,540 | $29.11 |
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 | $4,967.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,483.75 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,292.69 |
| Weekly | $1,146.35 |
| Hourly | $28.66 |
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 Washington
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $61,370 | 180 |
| Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA | $52,050 | 70 |
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 Washington
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Librarians and Media Collections Specialists | $100,030 | $48.09 |
| Library Technician | $62,570 | $30.08 |
| Archivist | $76,490 | $36.77 |
| Curator | $74,030 | $35.59 |
| Teaching Assistants, Except Postsecondary | $49,120 | — |
| Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education | $102,350 | — |
| Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education | $102,670 | — |
| Substitute Teachers, Short-Term | $55,740 | $26.80 |
| Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education | $45,660 | $21.95 |
| Self-Enrichment Teacher | $48,020 | $23.09 |
| Middle School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education | $102,140 | — |
| Kindergarten Teachers, Except Special Education | $99,960 | — |
| Instructional Coordinator | $97,250 | $46.76 |
| Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary | $137,520 | — |
More: Educational Instruction and Library Occupations · all salaries in Washington
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 Washington?
The median salary for museum technicians and conservators in Washington is $59,610 a year, or $28.66 an hour. Pay ranges from $42,430 for the lowest-paid 10% to $77,650 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid museum technicians and conservators make in Washington?
The top 10% of museum technicians and conservators in Washington earn at least $77,650 a year. The top 25% earn $65,730 or more.
What is the starting pay for museum technicians and conservators in Washington?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $42,430 a year, and a quarter of museum technicians and conservators earn $47,750 or less.
How many museum technicians and conservators work in Washington?
About 280 museum technicians and conservators are employed in Washington, not counting the self-employed.