Also called: Heritage Scientist
Uses chemistry and physics to analyze art materials, find fakes, and develop safer ways to preserve objects.
They use X-rays, infrared cameras, and mass spectrometers to see hidden sketches under paintings or identify pigments. Their findings can prove a painting is a forgery. Major museums and research institutes hire them.
Estimate based on chemists and museum science positions.
Approximate: anchored on Bureau of Labor Statistics data for a broader job group.
Doctorate (PhD), about 9 years after high school. PhD in chemistry, materials science, or physics.
Ways in: Graduate school. Training cost: $15k – $60k.
Majors to look at: Chemistry, Materials Science, Physics, Art Conservation.
Growing about average. Very small field, steady demand.
Low risk for 10 years. AI helps read spectra and sort imaging data; designing studies of art materials and interpreting results stay human.
Classes: AP Chemistry, AP Physics, AP Art History.
Official data: O*NET occupation 19-2031.
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.