Also called: Costume Conservator
Preserves historic textiles, from flags and quilts to famous costumes.
They might vacuum a 200-year-old flag through a screen, stitch it to a support fabric, and plan how it can be safely displayed. Museums like the Smithsonian employ them.
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 conservation.
Ways in: Graduate school. Training cost: $15k – $60k.
Majors to look at: Art Conservation, Textile Science, Chemistry.
Growing faster than average (about 6% over 10 years). Small field.
Low risk for 10 years. AI may help analyze fibers; stitching, cleaning and supporting historic flags and costumes is handwork.
Classes: Chemistry, Sewing or fashion CTE, 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.