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Temporary Museum Conservation Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Chrysler Museum Of Art

Art Preparator I

Norfolk, VA · On-site

$21 - $24.04/hr

... temporary and permanent exhibitions. * Artwork Handling & Transport Efficiency - Safely packing ... Compliance with Museum Standards & Protocols - Adhering to conservation-approved handling methods ...

Washington University of St. Louis

Supports other priority departmental projects as assigned (e.g., temporary exhibition management ... conservation, art historical research, and collections management and care. Preferred ...

National Gallery of Art

Museum Curator

Washington, DC · On-site +1

$143K - $187K/yr

... conservation, framing, and the registrar for collections in his/her charge. * Write/review texts ... Originate and organize temporary exhibitions of American art for the National Gallery. * Assume ...

Shaker Village

Museum Intern

Harrodsburg, KY · On-site

$1.5K/wk

SVPH is committed to bridging historic preservation, land conservation, engaged learning and warm ... This is a temporary position (10 weeks @ 37.5 hours/week) that includes a $1500 stipend. Exact ...

Norman Rockwell Museum

Registrar

Stockbridge, MA · On-site

$75K - $80K/yr

... conservation needs, as well as the physical movement of any works in the Museum's care. The ... Familiarity with managing temporary/traveling exhibitions, loan contracts, budget preparation and ...

Norman Rockwell Museum

Registrar

Stockbridge, MA · On-site

... conservation needs, as well as the physical movement of any works in the Museum's care. The ... Familiarity with managing temporary/traveling exhibitions, loan contracts, budget preparation and ...

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Temporary Museum Conservation information

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How much do temporary museum conservation jobs pay per hour?

As of Jul 26, 2026, the average hourly pay for temporary museum conservation in the United States is $20.78, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $16.35 and $22.60 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are temporary museum conservation jobs?

Temporary museum conservation jobs are short-term positions focused on the preservation and restoration of artifacts, artworks, or historical objects within museums. These roles often involve assisting with conservation treatments, environmental monitoring, documentation, and preparing objects for exhibitions or storage. Temporary conservators may be hired for specific projects, to cover staff absences, or during busy periods such as exhibition installations. These jobs require a background in conservation science or a related field and are ideal for gaining hands-on experience in museum settings.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Temporary Museum Conservation professional, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Temporary Museum Conservation professional, you need a background in conservation, art history, or museum studies, along with hands-on experience in handling and preserving artifacts. Familiarity with conservation tools, condition reporting software, and environmental monitoring systems is typically required. Strong attention to detail, problem-solving abilities, and effective communication are important soft skills in this role. These competencies ensure the proper care and documentation of collections, preserving cultural heritage and supporting museum operations.

What is the difference between Temporary Museum Conservation vs Museum Conservator?

AspectTemporary Museum ConservationMuseum Conservator
CredentialsTypically requires a conservation or related degree, certifications varyRequires a conservation degree and professional certification
Work EnvironmentShort-term projects, temporary assignments within museums or galleriesLong-term, ongoing preservation work within museums or institutions
Employer & Industry UsageUsed for specific projects or seasonal work in museumsFull-time staff responsible for ongoing collection care
Search & Comparison IntentOften searched for when looking for short-term conservation rolesMore general, for permanent conservation positions

Temporary Museum Conservation roles focus on short-term, project-based work requiring specialized conservation skills, often for specific exhibitions or collections. Museum Conservators hold permanent positions, overseeing ongoing preservation efforts. Both roles require similar credentials but differ mainly in duration and scope of work.

What are some common challenges faced in a temporary museum conservation role?

One of the primary challenges in a temporary museum conservation position is acclimating quickly to the institution’s specific protocols and workflows, as each museum may have unique procedures and documentation practices. Temporary conservators often work on targeted projects with tight deadlines, such as preparing artifacts for special exhibitions or assisting with emergency treatments. Working collaboratively with curators, registrars, and other conservation staff is essential for success, as is being adaptable to shifting priorities. The role provides a valuable opportunity to expand your conservation skills and network within the museum field, although the short-term nature of the contract may require flexibility regarding long-term planning.
What cities are hiring for Temporary Museum Conservation jobs? Cities with the most Temporary Museum Conservation job openings:
What are the most commonly searched types of Museum Conservation jobs? The most popular types of Museum Conservation jobs are:
What states have the most Temporary Museum Conservation jobs? States with the most job openings for Temporary Museum Conservation jobs include:
Temporary Museum Conservation jobs near you
Infographic showing various Temporary Museum Conservation job openings in the United States as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 70% Full Time, 26% Part Time, 3% Temporary, and 1% Contract. Highlights an 82% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 17% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $43,215 per year, or $20.8 per hour.

Preventive Conservator, Office of the Associate Director for Collections

J. Paul Getty Trust, The

Los Angeles, CA • On-site

$100K - $136K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement, PTO

Posted 17 days ago

Job description

Getty is committed to creating a welcoming workplace that reflects the various backgrounds of the communities we serve. We value differences in the pursuit of inquiry and knowledge, mutual understanding, respect, trust, transparency, and cooperation. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, ancestry, citizenship or immigration status, color, disability, ethnicity, familial status, gender identity and/or expression, genetic information, marital status, national origin, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, veteran status, or any other protected status.
Job Summary
Our Mission
The J. Paul Getty Museum seeks to inspire curiosity about, and enjoyment and understanding of, the visual arts by collecting, conserving, exhibiting, and interpreting works of art of outstanding quality and historical importance and is one of four programs of the J. Paul Getty Trust. The Museum operates two sites, the Getty Villa in Malibu, which exhibits its collection of Greek and Roman antiquities, and the Getty Center in Brentwood, which displays its collections of European art: Medieval and Renaissance illuminated manuscripts, paintings, sculpture, decorative arts, drawings to 1900, and photography to the present day (including non-European works). The Museum mounts approximately 25 temporary exhibitions a year across its two sites; maintains an annual permanent gallery improvement program and offers wide-ranging and ambitious programming for its visitors.
The Opportunity
The J. Paul Getty Museum seeks an experienced professional for the new position of Preventive Conservator at the Getty Center and Getty Villa locations. Reporting to the Associate Director for Collections, the conservator will lead a preventive conservation program that includes comprehensive environmental monitoring, pest management, cleaning procedures, materials testing and emergency preparedness planning. The position will coordinate preventive measures across the two museum campuses, ensuring consistent best practices and approaches that support collections care in alignment with the Museum's sustainability goals. The Preventive Conservator will actively collaborate with the Museum's four conservation departments, affiliated Museum departments (e.g., curatorial, registration, exhibitions, design, and preparations) and other Trust programs, including the Getty Conservation Institute, the Getty Research Institute, and Trust Sustainability. In addition to their general collections care duties, the preventive conservator will keep active in the field, staying abreast of and conducting research into state of the art approaches to preventive conservation including new materials, methodologies, and standards.
Major Job Responsibilities
  • Oversees and revises the preventive care policies and procedures in collaboration with the Museum's conservation departments
  • Keeps up to date on recommendations for museum environments (e.g., Bizot Green Protocol) and conducts and directs research to develop knowledge and improve practices
  • Advises colleagues and stakeholders on preventive conservation, collections care, and risk management matters
  • Liaises with key Getty partners, including the Getty Conservation Institute and Trust Chief Sustainability Officer
  • Coordinates environmental monitoring including re-evaluating and implementing procedures for temperature, humidity, pollutant, and light exposure throughout the galleries, labs, and storage areas
  • Acts as point person for the Museum's Integrated Pest Management program, including pest treatments for vulnerable and affected objects
  • Organizes storage and gallery cleaning with associated departments
  • Assists in coordination of collections emergency preparedness plan
  • Supports efforts in sustainable practices and conducts technical research relevant to the Museum environment
  • Oversees the Museum's materials testing program
  • Facilitates the management of art storage areas and advises on the creation of new art storage needs and policies
  • Participates in collections surveys providing preventive conservation recommendations for prioritizing storage needs
  • Advises on outgoing loans, including recommendations for environmental conditions and transit
  • Recruits, mentors and trains fellows and interns in preventive conservation
  • Liaises with external contractors on preventive conservation projects

Qualifications
  • MA in conservation or equivalent degree
  • 7-10 years conservation or equivalent experience
  • Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States for Getty, without the need for current or future visa sponsorship.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
  • Experience working with fellows and interns
  • Demonstrated experience with project management and multitasking
  • Excellent communication skills
  • Demonstrated ability to work and collaborate across departments
  • Experience with testing techniques such as ODDY and PAT
  • Experience with climate monitoring software and hardware, data processing, and data visualization
  • Experience with TMS and building management systems
  • Experience with microclimate systems for cases and framed works of art
  • Advanced skills with Microsoft Office

Benefits and Perks
Here are just some examples that Getty offers/provides for full-time employees:
  • Medical, Dental and Vision insurance coverage, starting on date of hire. Getty pays 75%-95% of the premium, depending on the plan selected.
  • 403(b) Employee Investment retirement plan - with up to 5% Getty Match
  • Getty contribution of 6%, on behalf of employee, to 401(a) retirement account
  • Educational Assistance and professional development
  • Paid Vacation, Sick and Personal Days
  • 12 Paid Holidays
  • Many positions have bi-weekly Off-Fridays
  • On-Site Fitness Center at Getty Center
  • Community service opportunities

To learn more about our comprehensive benefits and long list of perks, go to Getty HR.

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