# Museum Technicians and Conservators

> Restore, maintain, or prepare objects in museum collections for storage, research, or exhibit. May work with specimens such as fossils, skeletal parts, or botanicals; or artifacts, textiles, or art. May identify and record objects or install and arrange them in exhibits. Includes book or document conservators.
- **Entity Type:** role
- **Schema Version:** role.v1
- **Soc Code:** 25-4013.00
- **Summary:** Restore, maintain, or prepare objects in museum collections for storage, research, or exhibit. May work with specimens such as fossils, skeletal parts, or botanicals; or artifacts, textiles, or art. May identify and record objects or install and arrange them in exhibits. Includes book or document conservators.

## Aliases

- Conservator
- Objects Conservator
- Paintings Conservator
- Preparator
- Art Preparator
- Conservation Technician
- Exhibit Technician
- Museum Registrar
- Museum Technician
- Paper Conservator
- Archaeological Technician
- Armorer Technician

## Tasks

| Text | Type | Iwa |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Install, arrange, assemble, and prepare artifacts for exhibition, ensuring the artifacts' safety, reporting their status and condition, and identifying and correcting any problems with the set up. | Core | 4.A.3.a.2.a |
| Repair, restore, and reassemble artifacts, designing and fabricating missing or broken parts, to restore them to their original appearance and prevent deterioration. | Core | 4.A.3.a.2.h |
| Classify and assign registration numbers to artifacts and supervise inventory control. | Supplemental | 4.A.4.b.4.j |
| Study object documentation or conduct standard chemical and physical tests to ascertain the object's age, composition, original appearance, need for treatment or restoration, and appropriate preservation method. | Supplemental | 4.A.1.b.2.j |
| Clean objects, such as paper, textiles, wood, metal, glass, rock, pottery, and furniture, using cleansers, solvents, soap solutions, and polishes. | Core | 4.A.3.a.2.h |
| Photograph objects for documentation. | Core | 4.A.3.b.6.e |
| Determine whether objects need repair and choose the safest and most effective method of repair. | Core | 4.A.1.b.2.j |
| Prepare artifacts for storage and shipping. | Core | 4.A.3.a.2.h |
| Prepare reports on the operation of conservation laboratories, documenting the condition of artifacts, treatment options, and the methods of preservation and repair used. | Supplemental | 4.A.3.b.6.h |
| Enter information about museum collections into computer databases. | Core | 4.A.3.b.1.f |
| Specialize in particular materials or types of object, such as documents and books, paintings, decorative arts, textiles, metals, or architectural materials. | Supplemental | 4.A.2.b.3.a |
| Recommend preservation procedures, such as control of temperature and humidity, to curatorial and building staff. | Core | 4.A.4.b.6.g |

## Emerging Tasks


## Activities

| Name | Iwa |
| --- | --- |
| Direct activities of subordinates. | 4.A.4.b.4.a |
| Document events or evidence, using photographic or audiovisual equipment. | 4.A.3.b.6.e |
| Plan community programs or activities for the general public. | 4.A.2.b.6.a |
| Deliver items. | 4.A.3.a.1.j |
| Operate vehicles or material-moving equipment. | 4.A.3.a.4.a |
| Enter information into databases or software programs. | 4.A.3.b.1.f |
| Record research or operational data. | 4.A.3.b.6.h |
| Construct exhibits or parts of exhibits. | 4.A.3.a.2.a |
| Prepare materials for preservation, storage, or display. | 4.A.3.a.2.h |
| Inspect materials or equipment to determine need for repair or replacement. | 4.A.1.b.2.j |
| Stay informed about current developments in field of specialization. | 4.A.2.b.3.a |
| Maintain current knowledge related to work activities. | 4.A.2.b.3.a |
| Advise educators on curricula, instructional methods, or policies. | 4.A.4.b.6.g |
| Direct department activities. | 4.A.4.b.4.j |
| Classify materials according to standard systems. | 4.A.4.c.1.a |
| Review art or design materials. | 4.A.1.a.1.a |
| Collect information from people through observation, interviews, or surveys. | 4.A.1.a.1.l |
| Mark materials or objects for identification. | 4.A.1.b.1.a |
| Apply paint to surfaces. | 4.A.3.a.2.ag |
| Maintain operational records. | 4.A.3.b.6.h |
| Evaluate characteristics of archival or historical objects. | 4.A.1.b.2.j |
| Develop policies or procedures for archives, museums or libraries. | 4.A.3.b.2.f |
| Research topics in area of expertise. | 4.A.2.b.3.a |
| Discuss problems or issues with supervisors. | 4.A.4.a.2.c |
| Estimate costs of products, services, or materials. | 4.A.2.b.1.a |
| Estimate costs of goods or services. | 4.A.2.b.1.a |

## Capabilities

| Name | Family | Value |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Active Listening | essential_skill | 3.88 |
| Oral Expression | ability | 3.75 |
| Near Vision | ability | 3.75 |
| Reading Comprehension | essential_skill | 3.62 |
| Speaking | essential_skill | 3.62 |
| Oral Comprehension | ability | 3.62 |
| Information Ordering | ability | 3.62 |
| Written Comprehension | ability | 3.5 |
| Written Expression | ability | 3.5 |
| Speech Recognition | ability | 3.5 |
| Speech Clarity | ability | 3.5 |
| Fine Arts | knowledge | 3.48 |
| English Language | knowledge | 3.41 |
| Originality | ability | 3.38 |
| Public Safety and Security | knowledge | 3.3 |
| Writing | essential_skill | 3.25 |
| Critical Thinking | essential_skill | 3.25 |
| Fluency of Ideas | ability | 3.25 |
| Deductive Reasoning | ability | 3.25 |
| Visualization | ability | 3.25 |
| Arm-Hand Steadiness | ability | 3.25 |
| Finger Dexterity | ability | 3.25 |
| History and Archeology | knowledge | 3.21 |
| Monitoring | essential_skill | 3.12 |
| Complex Problem Solving | transferable_skill | 3.12 |
| Judgment and Decision Making | transferable_skill | 3.12 |
| Problem Sensitivity | ability | 3.12 |
| Inductive Reasoning | ability | 3.12 |
| Category Flexibility | ability | 3.12 |
| Flexibility of Closure | ability | 3.12 |
| Manual Dexterity | ability | 3.12 |
| Far Vision | ability | 3.12 |
| Visual Color Discrimination | ability | 3.12 |
| Administration and Management | knowledge | 3.1 |
| Chemistry | knowledge | 3.08 |
| Active Learning | essential_skill | 3 |
| Coordination | transferable_skill | 3 |
| Instructing | transferable_skill | 3 |
| Selective Attention | ability | 3 |
| Learning Strategies | essential_skill | 2.88 |

## Skills

| Name | Type |
| --- | --- |
| Active Listening | Common Skill |
| Reading Comprehension | Common Skill |
| Information Ordering | Specialized Skill |
| Speech Recognition | Specialized Skill |
| English Language | Common Skill |
| Writing | Common Skill |
| Visualization | Specialized Skill |
| Finger Dexterity | Common Skill |
| Deductive Reasoning | Common Skill |
| Critical Thinking | Common Skill |
| Inductive Reasoning | Common Skill |
| Complex Problem Solving | Common Skill |
| Chemistry | Specialized Skill |
| Microsoft Word | Common Skill |
| Microsoft PowerPoint | Common Skill |
| Microsoft Outlook | Common Skill |
| Microsoft Excel | Common Skill |
| Instructing | Specialized Skill |
| Adobe Photoshop | Specialized Skill |
| Adobe InDesign | Specialized Skill |
| Adobe Illustrator | Specialized Skill |
| Adobe Acrobat | Specialized Skill |
| Active Learning | Common Skill |
| Social Perceptiveness | Common Skill |
| Learning Strategies | Specialized Skill |
| Time Management | Common Skill |
| Systems Analysis | Specialized Skill |
| Mathematics | Common Skill |
| Negotiation | Common Skill |
| Depth Perception | Common Skill |
| Physics | Specialized Skill |
| Geography | Specialized Skill |
| Biology | Specialized Skill |
| Telecommunications | Specialized Skill |
| Psychology | Specialized Skill |
| Equipment Selection | Specialized Skill |
| Foreign Language | Common Skill |
| Installation | Specialized Skill |
| Equipment Maintenance | Specialized Skill |
| Presentation Software | Specialized Skill |

## Tools

| Example | Category | Hot | In Demand |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Adobe Acrobat | Document management software | yes | no |
| Adobe Creative Cloud software | Graphics or photo imaging software | yes | no |
| Adobe Illustrator | Graphics or photo imaging software | yes | no |
| Adobe InDesign | Desktop publishing software | yes | no |
| Adobe Photoshop | Graphics or photo imaging software | yes | no |
| Autodesk AutoCAD | Computer aided design CAD software | yes | no |
| Microsoft Active Server Pages ASP | Web platform development software | yes | no |
| Microsoft Excel | Spreadsheet software | yes | no |
| Microsoft Office software | Office suite software | yes | no |
| Microsoft Outlook | Electronic mail software | yes | no |
| Microsoft PowerPoint | Presentation software | yes | no |
| Microsoft Word | Word processing software | yes | no |
| Gallery Systems EmbARK | Data base user interface and query software | no | no |
| Microsoft Visual FoxPro | Object oriented data base management software | no | no |
| PastPerfect Software PastPerfect | Data base user interface and query software | no | no |
| Questor Systems ARGUS | Data base user interface and query software | no | no |
| Questor Systems QScan32 | Data base user interface and query software | no | no |

## Work Context

| Name | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Freedom to Make Decisions | 4.6 |
| Face-to-Face Discussions with Individuals and Within Teams | 4.52 |
| Determine Tasks, Priorities and Goals | 4.35 |
| Importance of Being Exact or Accurate | 4.31 |
| Indoors, Environmentally Controlled | 4.17 |
| E-Mail | 4.15 |
| Work With or Contribute to a Work Group or Team | 4.14 |
| Telephone Conversations | 3.92 |
| Contact With Others | 3.76 |
| Impact of Decisions on Co-workers or Company Results | 3.72 |
| Spend Time Using Your Hands to Handle, Control, or Feel Objects, Tools, or Controls | 3.56 |
| Deal With External Customers or the Public in General | 3.49 |
| Spend Time Standing | 3.49 |
| Time Pressure | 3.45 |
| Coordinate or Lead Others in Accomplishing Work Activities | 3.4 |
| Frequency of Decision Making | 3.37 |
| Importance of Repeating Same Tasks | 3.23 |
| Physical Proximity | 3.19 |
| Health and Safety of Other Workers | 3.08 |
| Wear Common Protective or Safety Equipment such as Safety Shoes, Glasses, Gloves, Hearing Protection, Hard Hats, or Life Jackets | 3.07 |
| Work Outcomes and Results of Other Workers | 3.01 |
| Consequence of Error | 2.97 |
| Written Letters and Memos | 2.85 |
| Exposed to Contaminants | 2.85 |
| Spend Time Sitting | 2.65 |
| Exposed to Sounds, Noise Levels that are Distracting or Uncomfortable | 2.59 |
| Spend Time Walking or Running | 2.49 |
| Spend Time Bending or Twisting Your Body | 2.48 |
| Indoors, Not Environmentally Controlled | 2.46 |
| Conflict Situations | 2.3 |
| Exposed to Hazardous Equipment | 2.3 |
| Spend Time Making Repetitive Motions | 2.26 |
| Public Speaking | 2.25 |
| Exposed to Cramped Work Space, Awkward Positions | 2.21 |
| Spend Time Kneeling, Crouching, Stooping, or Crawling | 2.14 |
| Exposed to Very Hot or Cold Temperatures | 2.12 |
| Dealing With Unpleasant, Angry, or Discourteous People | 2.05 |
| Exposed to Hazardous Conditions | 2.01 |
| Exposed to Minor Burns, Cuts, Bites, or Stings | 1.99 |
| Exposed to High Places | 1.95 |

## Preparation

- **Job Zone:** 4
- **Job Zone Name:** Job Zone Four: Considerable Preparation Needed
- **Education:** Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.
- **Experience:** A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is needed for these occupations. For example, an accountant must complete four years of college and work for several years in accounting to be considered qualified.
- **Svp Range:** (7.0 to < 8.0)

### Education Distribution

| Label | Percentage |
| --- | --- |
| Master's Degree | 41.3 |
| Bachelor's Degree | 24.11 |
| Post-Secondary Certificate | 20.32 |
| Associate's Degree (or other 2-year degree) | 7.18 |
| Post-Master's Certificate | 5.79 |
| High School Diploma | 1.29 |

## Person Fit

| Name | Family | Value |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Realistic | career_interest_type | 5.67 |
| Conventional | career_interest_type | 4.58 |
| Dependability | work_style | 4 |
| Humanities | specific_interest_area | 3.99 |
| Investigative | career_interest_type | 3.21 |
| Physical/Manual Labor | specific_interest_area | 3.2 |
| Artistic | career_interest_type | 3.14 |
| Attention to Detail | work_style | 3 |
| Visual Arts | specific_interest_area | 2.73 |
| Social | career_interest_type | 2.64 |
| Cautiousness | work_style | 2.62 |
| Construction/Woodwork | specific_interest_area | 2.6 |
| Applied Arts and Design | specific_interest_area | 2.55 |
| Teaching/Education | specific_interest_area | 2.51 |
| Mechanics/Electronics | specific_interest_area | 2.22 |
| Public Speaking | specific_interest_area | 2.22 |

## Related Roles

| Soc Code | Slug | Title | Tier |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 25-4012.00 | role-25-4012-00 | Curators | Primary-Short |
| 27-1027.00 | role-27-1027-00 | Set and Exhibit Designers | Primary-Short |
| 25-4011.00 | role-25-4011-00 | Archivists | Primary-Short |
| 19-3093.00 | role-19-3093-00 | Historians | Primary-Short |
| 27-1012.00 | role-27-1012-00 | Craft Artists | Primary-Short |
| 27-1013.00 | role-27-1013-00 | Fine Artists, Including Painters, Sculptors, and Illustrators | Primary-Long |
| 47-2141.00 | role-47-2141-00 | Painters, Construction and Maintenance | Primary-Long |
| 19-4071.00 | role-19-4071-00 | Forest and Conservation Technicians | Primary-Long |
| 19-4031.00 | role-19-4031-00 | Chemical Technicians | Primary-Long |
| 25-4022.00 | role-25-4022-00 | Librarians and Media Collections Specialists | Primary-Long |
| 51-9123.00 | role-51-9123-00 | Painting, Coating, and Decorating Workers | Supplemental |
| 25-1194.00 | role-25-1194-00 | Career/Technical Education Teachers, Postsecondary | Supplemental |

## Career Clusters

| Cluster | Slug |
| --- | --- |
| Hospitality, Events, & Tourism | hospitality-events-tourism |

## Education Level

- **Category:** Bachelor's degree

## Study Programs

| Title | Slug |
| --- | --- |
| History | history |
| Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies | multi-interdisciplinary-studies |
| Visual and Performing Arts | visual-and-performing-arts |

## Market

- **Median Wage:** 47460
- **Mean Wage:** 53630
- **Pct10Wage:** 30720
- **Pct25Wage:** 37460
- **Pct75Wage:** 62990
- **Pct90Wage:** 82790
- **Employment:** 13070
- **Area Title:** U.S.

## Industries


### Top

| Naics | Slug | Title | Level | Employment | Median Wage | Lq |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 71 | 71 | Arts, Entertainment, and Recreation | Sector | 7080 | 45940 | 31.61 |
| 61 | 61 | Educational Services | Sector | 1380 | 54080 | 1.19 |
| 81 | 81 | Other Services (except Public Administration) | Sector | 290 | 41200 | 0.77 |
| 51 | 51 | Information | Sector | 130 | 56810 | 0.53 |
| 54 | 54 | Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services | Sector |  | 40320 |  |
| 541720 | 541720 | Research and Development in the Social Sciences and Humanities | National industry |  | 40320 |  |

### Concentrated

| Naics | Slug | Title | Level | Employment | Lq |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 71 | 71 | Arts, Entertainment, and Recreation | Sector | 7080 | 31.61 |
| 61 | 61 | Educational Services | Sector | 1380 | 1.19 |
| 81 | 81 | Other Services (except Public Administration) | Sector | 290 | 0.77 |
| 51 | 51 | Information | Sector | 130 | 0.53 |
- **Count:** 6

## Ai Signals

| Source | Label | Score | Scale | Release |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| frey_osborne | Computerization probability | 0.59 | 0-1 probability | 2013-baseline-2016-employment-snapshot |
| felten_aioe | AI occupational exposure | -0.0912107 | relative exposure score | 2021-plus-generative-ai-workbooks |
| felten_image_generation_aioe | Image generation occupational exposure | 0.2281792 | relative exposure score | 2021-plus-generative-ai-workbooks |
| felten_language_modeling_aioe | Language modeling occupational exposure | -0.1107287 | relative exposure score | 2021-plus-generative-ai-workbooks |

## Ai Outlook


### Index

- **Value:** 50
- **Percentile:** 50
- **Band:** Moderate
- **Version:** ai-exposure-index-v1

#### Components

| Percentile | Source |
| --- | --- |
| 46 | felten_aioe |
| 39 | openai_gpts_are_gpts |
| 65 | microsoft_working_with_ai |
- **Component Count:** 3

### Exposure

| Source | Label | Value | Percentile | Band | Note |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| felten_aioe | Overall AI exposure (Felten et al.) | -0.0912107 | 46 | Moderate | How much this job's abilities overlap with what AI systems can do, across many AI capabilities. A relative research score, not a forecast of job loss. |
| eloundou_gamma | LLM task exposure, γ (OpenAI / Eloundou) | 0.42105263157894735 | 39 | Moderate | Share of this job's tasks where a large language model plus simple tools could cut the time to do them by at least half. γ is capped at 1.0 and many jobs reach that ceiling, so treat a top score as 'in the top group', not a precise rank. |
| microsoft_applicability | AI assistant applicability (Microsoft) | 0.1925996161524171 | 65 | Moderate | How applicable today's AI assistants are to this job's activities, measured from real Microsoft Copilot conversations. Applicability is not the same as replacement. |

### Frey Historical

- **Source:** frey
- **Label:** Computerization probability (Frey & Osborne, 2013)
- **Value:** 0.59
- **Percentile:** 50
- **Band:** Moderate
- **Note:** A pre-LLM (2013) estimate of how automatable this job is by computerization and robotics. Shown for historical context only — it is not part of any current AI ranking.
- **Teleworkable:** no

### Eloundou

- **Alpha:** 0.05263157894736842
- **Beta:** 0.23684210526315788
- **Gamma:** 0.42105263157894735

### Usage Tasks

| Task | Usage Percent | Importance |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Photograph objects for documentation. | 0.01407096697328365 | 4.15 |
| Study object documentation or conduct standard chemical and physical tests to ascertain the object's age, composition, original appearance, need for treatment or restoration, and appropriate preservation method. | 0.008422038626344958 | 4.24 |
| Prepare reports on the operation of conservation laboratories, documenting the condition of artifacts, treatment options, and the methods of preservation and repair used. | 0.007189545168831061 | 4.04 |
| Coordinate exhibit installations, assisting with design, constructing displays, dioramas, display cases, and models, and ensuring the availability of necessary materials. | 0.0031839414319108986 | 3.57 |
| Recommend preservation procedures, such as control of temperature and humidity, to curatorial and building staff. | 0.002464986915027793 | 3.89 |
| Estimate cost of restoration work. | 0.002464986915027793 | 3.1 |
- **Usage Release:** 2026-01-15-v4-plus-2025-03-27-v2

### Bls

- **Growth Percent:** 5.4
- **Growth Percentile:** 77
- **Direction:** About average
- **Annual Openings Thousands:** 1.9
- **Annual Openings Percentile:** 26
- **Employment2024Thousands:** 15.7
- **Employment2034Thousands:** 16.5

### Sources

| Source | Version |
| --- | --- |
| bls_employment_projections | 2024-2034 |
| dingel_neiman | dingel-neiman-workathome |
| felten_aioe | felten-raj-seamans-aioe |
| frey_osborne | frey-osborne-automation |
| microsoft_working_with_ai | working-with-ai |
| openai_gpts_are_gpts | gpts-are-gpts |

## Ai Playbook

- **Trusted Task Count:** 3
- **Task Count:** 5
- **Total Sample:** 247
- **Autonomy Median:** 3.5
- **Dominant Collaboration:** directive
- **Automation Share:** 40.95
- **Augmentation Share:** 32.85
- **Work Use Percent:** 10.95

### Collaboration

| Label | Percent |
| --- | --- |
| directive | 40.95 |
| learning | 19.52 |
| task iteration | 13.33 |

### Use Case

| Label | Percent |
| --- | --- |
| personal | 71.43 |
| work | 10.95 |

### Delegated Tasks

| Task | Usage Percent | Collaboration | Autonomy Median | Sample Count |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Photograph objects for documentation. | 0.010901362670333791 | directive | 3 | 109 |
| Study object documentation or conduct standard chemical and physical tests to ascertain the object's age, composition, original appearance, need for treatment or restoration, and appropriate preservation method. | 0.0071008876109513695 | learning | 4 | 71 |
| Supervise and work with volunteers. | 0.0030003750468808603 | directive | 3.5 | 30 |

### Boundary Tasks

| Task | Human Needed Percent | Sample Count |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Supervise and work with volunteers. | 100 | 30 |
| Study object documentation or conduct standard chemical and physical tests to ascertain the object's age, composition, original appearance, need for treatment or restoration, and appropriate preservation method. | 97.1830985915493 | 71 |
| Photograph objects for documentation. | 96.3302752293578 | 109 |

### Seed Prompts

| Prompt | Collaboration |
| --- | --- |
| Do this for me: photograph objects for documentation. Give me a finished draft I can review and adjust. | directive |
| Teach me how to study object documentation or conduct standard chemical and physical tests to ascertain the object's age, composition, original appearance, need for treatment or restoration, and appropriate preservation method, then check my work as I try it myself. | learning |
| Do this for me: supervise and work with volunteers. Give me a finished draft I can review and adjust. | directive |
- **Release:** 2026-01-15-v4-plus-2025-03-27-v2

## Counts

- **Tasks:** 24
- **Skills:** 40
- **Capabilities:** 120
- **Tools:** 17
- **Related Roles:** 20

## Source

- **Dataset:** gold.onet_role_starter_surface
- **Version:** 30.3
- **Generated At:** 2026-06-02T21:00:32.945303+00:00
- **Content Hash:** 846c896b1de40fdb