Also called: Head of Conservation, Director of Conservation
Leads a museum's conservation department, deciding how to protect and treat priceless works.
They decide which works are safe to lend or display, oversee treatments, and manage scientists and conservators. They consult on climate control and disaster planning. Big decisions, like cleaning a famous painting, land on their desk.
Estimate; top museum positions.
Approximate: anchored on Bureau of Labor Statistics data for a broader job group.
Master's degree, about 12 years after high school. Master's in art conservation (3-4 year programs) plus many years of practice.
Ways in: Graduate school. Training cost: $15k – $60k.
Majors to look at: Art Conservation, Chemistry, Art History.
Growing faster than average (about 6% over 10 years). Few positions.
Low risk for 10 years. AI helps with imaging and condition reports; expert judgment and leading treatments of irreplaceable objects stay human.
Classes: AP Chemistry, AP Studio Art, AP Art History.
Official data: O*NET occupation 25-4013.
Career Universe is an early version. Pay, training and AI-risk figures are estimates to start your own research, not verified facts. The research was written with AI research assistants, checked by validation scripts and spot-checked by hand. Check anything important with schools, employers and official sources. How the numbers work.