Museum Technicians and Conservators Salary in Des Moines, IA

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA

Median annual salary $66,460 +40% vs national
Median hourly $31.95
10th percentile $36,320
90th percentile $83,810
Employed locally 40
National median $47,460

Compare Museum Technicians and Conservators salary & buying power

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Museum Technicians and Conservators
in
Des Moines, IA
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $36,320
    25th
    $46,890
    50th (median)
    $66,460
    75th
    $83,810
    90th
    $83,810

    Des Moines economic context

    Unemployment rate 3.00% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $84,209 2023 • Census ACS
    Museum Technicians and Conservators salary vs area income 79% Median Museum Technicians and Conservators salary is 21% below the area median household income

    Top-paying metros for Museum Technicians and Conservators

    Metro areaMedian salary
    Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA $75,100
    Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV $74,370
    District of Columbia $74,300
    Maryland $72,950
    San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $72,480
    New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ $70,370

    Nearby metros — Museum Technicians and Conservators salary comparison

    Metro areaMedian salary
    Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV $74,370
    District of Columbia $74,300
    California $58,960
    Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO $51,940
    Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach, FL $50,920
    Indiana $49,240

    Related occupations in Des Moines, IA

    OccupationMedian salary
    Teaching Assistants, Except Postsecondary $33,280
    Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education $57,060
    Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education $59,950
    Substitute Teachers, Short-Term $38,760
    Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education $30,230
    Middle School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education $59,180

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Museum Technicians and Conservators make per hour in Des Moines?

    The median hourly wage for Museum Technicians and Conservators in Des Moines, IA is $31.95, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $41.51 or more per hour.

    Is Des Moines above or below average for Museum Technicians and Conservators salaries?

    The median Museum Technicians and Conservators salary in Des Moines, IA is 40% above the national median of $47,460. The national figure is from BLS OEWS 2025 data covering all US metropolitan areas.

    What is the entry-level salary for Museum Technicians and Conservators in Des Moines?

    Entry-level Museum Technicians and Conservators (10th percentile) earn around $36,320 per year in Des Moines, IA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $46,890.