Also called: Art Restorer
Repairs and cleans damaged paintings while preserving the artist's original work.
With a microscope and tiny swabs, they remove 100-year-old yellow varnish millimeter by millimeter. They repair torn canvases and fill missing paint with reversible materials. A single painting can take months.
Estimate based on American Institute for Conservation salary surveys; BLS groups conservators with museum technicians (25-4013, May 2024 median about $50k).
Approximate: anchored on Bureau of Labor Statistics data for a broader job group.
Master's degree, about 8 years after high school. Master's in art conservation from a few highly competitive programs (NYU, Delaware, Buffalo State, UCLA); prerequisites include chemistry and studio art.
Ways in: Graduate school, 4-year college. Training cost: $15k – $60k.
Majors to look at: Art Conservation, Chemistry, Art History, Studio Art.
Growing faster than average (about 6% over 10 years). Faster-than-average growth projected, though very competitive.
Low risk for 10 years. AI imaging finds hidden damage and underdrawings; delicate cleaning and inpainting by hand can't be automated.
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.