Museum Registrar

Also called: Collections Registrar

Tracks every object a museum owns or borrows—where it is, its condition, insurance, and shipping.

A day in the life

Arranges shipping and insurance for a painting traveling to another museum, rides along as courier, and updates the collection database.

Pay over a career

Starting

$45k

Typical

$60k

High

$85k

Estimate.

Approximate: anchored on Bureau of Labor Statistics data for a broader job group.

Training

Master's degree, about 6 years after high school. Bachelor's or master's in museum studies or art history.

Ways in: 4-year college, Graduate school. Training cost: $60k – $150k.

Majors to look at: Museum Studies, Art History.

Outlook

Growing faster than average (about 6% over 10 years). Estimate.

Will it last? Our AI estimate

Medium risk for 10 years. Collection databases and AI automate tracking and paperwork; couriering art and managing loans stay human.

Start now, in high school

Classes: AP Art History, Computer applications, Business CTE class.

• Volunteer in a museum collections department
• Earn a Microsoft Office Specialist cert
• Join FBLA

Official data: O*NET occupation 25-4012.

More Museums & Cultural Heritage careers

• Museum Curator
• Museum Director
• Chief Curator
• Conservator
• Museum Conservation Scientist
• Museum Exhibit Designer
• Provenance Researcher
• Art & Antiques Appraiser
• Auction House Specialist
• Museum Development Director
• Museum Digitization / 3D Imaging Specialist
• Museum Technician
• Art Handler / Preparator
• Museum Educator
• Museum Tour Guide / Docent Coordinator
• NAGPRA Repatriation Coordinator
• Museum Mount Maker
• Museum Evaluator
• Museum Photographer
• Gallery Attendant
• Museum Visitor Services Associate
• Architectural Finishes Conservator
• Wax Figure Artist
• Shipwreck Artifact Conservator

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.