Archivists, Curators, and Museum Technician

What an Archivist, Curator, and Museum Technician Does

Archivists and curators work in museums, historical sites, libraries and government and educational institutions, managing historical records, texts works of art, and other types of records. They keep these items organized and cataloged and set up displays for the public or for students and visitors who need to access them for academic purposes or personal use. They make sure that the records aren't damaged and are stored safely. Archivists and curators also plan for and organize special events and educational projects to accommodate visitors like school groups and tourists. Examples of different types of special events include lectures, guest speaker, workshops and public outreach programs, too. Today's archivists and curators need to be familiar with new types of technology and systems that facilitate public access and also long-term storage and preservation. You may want to specialize in a certain area of discipline, like history, library science or political science to help you become an expert in the field.

How to Become an Archivists, Curators, and Museum Technician

Many archivists and curators pursue graduate education, as this qualification helps them compete for jobs. But as an undergraduate, a liberal arts degree will give you a broad educational background for many related subjects like history, religion, culture, literature, political science, art, music and more. If you already know what discipline you'd like to specialize in so that you can become an expert, take more of those classes as an undergraduate, but be sure to take some courses in computer science, business or public relations and marketing to give you skills that will help you with all of the different administrative tasks and business-related responsibilities in your career. When applying for graduate degree programs, look for programs in conservation, history, library science or a related field, as these are most preferred by employers. Also look into getting certified by the Academy of Certified Archivists, which requires a master's degree.

Career Outlook for Archivists, Curators, and Museum Technicians

In 2008, archivists, curators and museum technicians accounted for about 29,100 jobs, working for the government, museums, historical sites, public and private educational institutions, zoos, libraries and more. While there is competition for these jobs, the Bureau of Labor Statistics does expect faster than average job growth for this profession. About 5,900 jobs will be added for archivists, curators and museum technicians, which results in an employment growth rate of 20%. The median annual wage for archivists was $45,020 in 2008, while curators earned $47,220, and museum technicians earned a median annual wage of $36,660. Those who worked for the federal government earned much more -- archivists earned $83,758; museum curators earned $90,205; and museum specialists and technicians earned $62,520. Earning a master's degree and getting certified can improve your earning potential.