Museum Technicians and Conservators Salary in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV
The median pay for a museum technicians and conservators in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV is $74,370/year ($35.75/hour), per BLS data. The range runs from $35K at the entry level to $122K for experienced workers. Prices run high here (RPP 108.88), so that salary is closer to $68,305 in real purchasing power. A 2-bedroom apartment runs $2,246/month — about 46.3% of take-home, which is tight.
AffordMap analysis of BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (latest release, May 2024)
So what does $74K get you in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria?
About museum technicians and conservators
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV
Entry-level museum technicians and conservators (10th percentile) start around $35K. Mid-career wages sit at $74K.Top earners bring in $122K or more - a $87K spread from bottom to top.
Museum Technicians and Conservators pay across states
Median income ranked highest to lowest, compared to the national figure
| State | Median salary | vs. national | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $74K | +57% | 520 |
| Maryland | $73K | +54% | 420 |
| Connecticut | $66K | +39% | 210 |
| New York | $65K | +36% | 1,060 |
| Alaska | $63K | +34% | 60 |
| Massachusetts | $59K | +25% | 290 |
| California | $59K | +24% | 1,790 |
| Washington | $58K | +23% | 270 |
| Rhode Island | $54K | +14% | 50 |
| New Mexico | $51K | +8% | 130 |
| Florida | $50K | +5% | 190 |
| Wyoming | $49K | +4% | 70 |
| Indiana | $49K | +4% | 190 |
| Virginia | $49K | +2% | 360 |
| Georgia | $48K | +2% | 160 |
Track museum technicians and conservators salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Washington-Arlington-Alexandria numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
How much do museum technicians and conservators make in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV?
The median is $74,370 a year - that works out to about $35.75 an hour. The range is wide: entry-level workers start around $35,360, and experienced museum technicians and conservators can clear $122,320. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $74K enough to live in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $4,768/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $2,246/month (HUD Fair Market Rent), which eats 47.1% of your paycheck. That's above the 30% rule of thumb - housing will be a stretch at the median salary, though you can manage with roommates or a smaller place.
How far does a museum technicians and conservators salary go in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria?
Washington-Arlington-Alexandria has a Regional Price Parity of 108.88 (100 is the national average). Prices are above average here, so your dollar buys less than the same salary would in a cheaper metro. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median museum technicians and conservators salary is worth about $68,305 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do museum technicians and conservators get paid the most?
The table above ranks every state by median pay for this role. Keep in mind that the highest-paying states tend to have the highest costs of living, so the top salary doesn't always mean the most money in your pocket.