Skip to content
AffordMap
Salary comparison

Museum Technicians and Conservators vs. Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education: Who Earns More?

Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education out-earn Museum Technicians and Conservators by $13K a year at the national median, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Museum Technicians and Conservators land at $51,440 and Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education at $63,970. The education gap is real: museum technicians and conservator programs typically require bachelor's degree, while elementary school teachers, except special education programs require bachelor's degree. Top-paying state for Museum Technicians and Conservators is Maryland ($76,900); for Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education it's Washington ($102,350).

Museum Technicians and Conservators
Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education
Median salary
$51,440
$63,970
Hourly rate
$24.73/hr
$null/hr
Entry level (10th %)
$33,780
$47,960
Senior level (90th %)
$87,530
$104,340
Education required
Bachelor's degree
Bachelor's degree
U.S. employment
12,310
1,388,390
Job growth (10-year)
5.4%
-2%
Category
Education
Education
Top-paying state
Maryland
Washington

Pay by state

States where both occupations have BLS data, sorted by Museum Technicians and Conservators median pay.

State
Museum Technicians and Conservators
Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education
Maryland
$76,900
$77,680
District of Columbia
$76,110
$96,580
New York
$74,550
$85,760
Connecticut
$62,030
$80,600
California
$61,550
$99,650
Alaska
$60,840
$79,260
Washington
$59,610
$102,350
Massachusetts
$58,530
$94,000
Rhode Island
$55,470
$90,930
Minnesota
$50,140
$76,350
Ohio
$47,570
$77,370
Pennsylvania
$47,150
$77,060
Oregon
$45,820
$77,130
New Jersey
$43,780
$78,200
Delaware
$38,080
$75,920

Source: BLS OEWS May 2025. Highlighted value is higher in each row.

Common questions

Who earns more, Museum Technicians and Conservators or Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education?

Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education earn more nationally. The median is $51,440 for Museum Technicians and Conservators versus $63,970 for Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education, a difference of $13K. Per BLS OEWS May 2025.

Which has better job growth, Museum Technicians and Conservators or Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education?

Museum Technicians and Conservators has the better 10-year outlook at 5.4% projected growth, compared to -2% for the other field. Both are from BLS Employment Projections.

Which requires more education, Museum Technicians and Conservators or Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education?

Museum Technicians and Conservators typically requires bachelor's degree. Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education requires bachelor's degree. Education requirements vary by employer and state licensing board.

Where do Museum Technicians and Conservators get paid the most?

Maryland is the top-paying state for Museum Technicians and Conservators at $76,900/year, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Major metro areas within that state typically pay even more than the state average.

How does Museum Technicians and Conservators vs. Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education pay differ by state?

The gap varies significantly by state. In Maryland, Museum Technicians and Conservators earn $76,900 vs. $77,680 for Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education. See the state comparison table on this page for the full picture.

Full Museum Technicians and Conservators salary breakdownView →Full Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education salary breakdownView →Best cities for Museum Technicians and Conservators by take-home payExplore →Best cities for Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education by take-home payExplore →How to become a museum technicians and conservatorsGuide →How to become a elementary school teachers, except special educationGuide →