ARCHIVISTS AND CURATORS

Nature of the Work

Archivists, curators, museum and archives technicians, and conservators search for, acquire, appraise, analyze, describe, arrange, catalog, restore, preserve, exhibit, maintain, and store items of lasting value so that they can be used by researchers or for exhibitions, publications, broadcasting, and other educational programs.  These may consist of historical documents, audiovisual materials, institutional records, works of art, coins, stamps, minerals, clothing, maps, living and preserved plants and animals, buildings, computer records, or historic sites.

Training, Other Qualifications, and Advancement

Employment as an archivist, conservator, or curator generally requires graduate education and substantial practical or work experience.  Many archivists and curators work in archives or museums while completing their formal education, in order to gain the hands-on experience that many employers seek when hiring. Employers generally look for archivists with undergraduate and graduate degrees in history or library science, with courses in archival science.  Some positions may require knowledge of the discipline related to the collection, such as business or medicine. An increasing number of archivists have a double master's degree in history and library science. 

Job Outlook

Employment of archivists and curators is expected to increase about as fast as the average for all occupations through the year 2005. Although the rate of turnover among archivists and curators is relatively low, the need to replace workers who leave the occupation or stop working will create some additional job openings.  Job opportunities for curators should be best in art and history museums, since these are the largest employers in the museum industry.

Earnings

Earnings of archivists and curators vary considerably by type and size of employer.  Average salaries in the Federal Government, for example, are generally higher than those in religious organizations. Salaries of curators in large, well-funded museums may be several times higher than those in small ones.  In 1993, salaries ranged from about $19,000 for entry level archivists to $43,000 for those with a master's degree.  Curators' salaries ranged from $22,000 for assistants to over $90,000 for directors.

Additional information can be obtained by contacting the following organizations:

Society of American Archivists, 600 South Federal St., Suite 504, Chicago, IL 60605.

Academy of Certified Archivists, 600 South Federal St., Suite 504, Chicago, IL 60605.

American Association of Museums, 1225 I St.  NW., Suite 200, Washington, DC 20005.

American Association of Botanical Gardens and Arboreta, 786 Church Rd., Wayne, PA 19087.

American Institute for Conservation of Historic and Artistic Works, 1400 16th St.  NW., Suite 340, Washington, DC 20036.

Association of Systematics Collections, 730 11th St.  NW., Second Floor, Washington, DC 20001.


