- Salary statistics
- Preparator, conservator
Preparator, conservator
41 395 - 39 779 kr / month
Kultur, media, design
Salary progression Preparator, conservator
What does a preparator, conservator do? – Tasks and work environment
A preparator, conservator is responsible for preserving, restoring, and documenting art objects, cultural heritage, and museum collections. Tasks include cleaning, conservation, and sometimes reconstruction of items to ensure their long-term durability. The work is often performed in laboratory or museum environments where accuracy and patience are crucial. The environment is typically calm and controlled, focusing on detailed work.
Salary development over time
The salary for a preparator, conservator has shown a steady increase in recent years. In 2022, the average salary was around 36,200 SEK per month, rising to 38 400 SEK in 2023. For 2024, the salary has continued to rise and is projected at an average monthly salary of 39 779. This development corresponds to a total salary increase of just over 9.9 percent over three years. The increase can partly be explained by a higher demand for specialized conservation skills, as well as general salary adjustments within the culture and fine arts sector. Although specific salary data for men and women in this profession is unavailable, the overall trend is positive, indicating a stable market for these roles.
The work as a preparator, conservator often requires a combination of artistic sense and technical precision, making the profession unique among cultural workers.
Preparator, conservator salary – complete overview
- Average salary: 39 779 SEK/month
- Lowest/Highest salary: No specific data available
- Hourly wage: 239 SEK (based on 166 working hours/month)
- Gender differences: Salary data for men and women is not specifically available
- Regional differences: No detailed information available
Education and qualifications
The educational path for preparators and conservators often involves university or college studies in art history, conservation, or museology. Specialized courses and internships are common to develop practical skills in preservation and restoration.
- Formal degrees: Higher education in conservation or art history (3–5 years)
- Certifications/courses: Specialized conservation courses and technical training
- Internship/trainee: Internships at museums or conservation studios are common
- Prerequisites: Basic artistic or scientific background
- Tips for choosing: Select programs with strong links to cultural heritage and material science
Common benefits and compensations
Typical benefits for preparators and conservators include often pension schemes, wellness allowances, and flexible working hours. Employers in the cultural sector sometimes offer subsidized courses and conference participation to support skill development. Sick leave insurance and collective agreement compensations are also common.
Competition and challenges
The profession is characterized by a relatively narrow job market with limited positions, which can lead to high competition for available roles. Challenges include the need to constantly update knowledge on new conservation methods and materials. Patience and precision are often required, which can be demanding during long working days. Balancing artistic intuition with scientific methodology places high demands on practitioners.
Tips for aspiring preparators, conservators
To succeed as a preparator or conservator, it is important to develop both technical skills and meticulous working methods. Patience is a key trait that helps in detailed restoration work. Being analytical facilitates material assessment and conservation method choices. Creativity is also advantageous for finding innovative solutions to complex preservation issues. Good communication skills are valuable for collaboration with museums and other cultural institutions.
Key facts about preparator, conservator
- Educational level: Higher education in conservation or art history (3–5 years)
- Salary range: Approximately 36,200–39,800 SEK/month
- Work environment: Laboratory and museum settings focusing on detailed work
- Work form: Project-based and often independent work
- Demand: Limited but stable within the cultural sector
Career paths and future prospects
After 3–5 years in the profession, a preparator, conservator can advance to specialist roles within museums or cultural heritage institutions, such as senior conservator or project manager for restoration projects. Opportunities also exist to work in research or teaching within conservation. According to data from the Public Employment Service, there is insufficient basis for a specific forecast for the profession, but within the broader group of visual artists, about 620 jobs are available, indicating some activity in the job market.
Frequently asked questions about preparator, conservator
- What does a preparator, conservator earn?
- The average salary is approximately 39 779 SEK per month with an hourly wage of about 239 SEK. - What education is required to become a preparator, conservator?
- Typically, a university degree in conservation or art history lasting 3–5 years is required. - Are there regional differences in salary?
- There is no available information regarding regional salary differences for this profession. - What is the working environment like for a preparator, conservator?
- The work is often carried out in laboratory or museum settings, focusing on detailed work and precision. - Is it difficult to find a job as a preparator, conservator?
- The profession has a limited job market, which may involve competition, but there are approximately 620 available positions within the broader field of visual artists. - What personal qualities are important?
- Patience, meticulousness, analytical skills, and creativity are valuable qualities in the profession. - Can I further my education within the profession?
- Yes, specialized courses and internships are common to develop competencies.
Salary distributed by age and sector
About the data
All information displayed on this page is based on data from the Swedish Central Bureau of Statistics (SCB), the Swedish Tax Agency and the Swedish employment agency. Learn more about our data and data sources here.
All figures are gross salaries, meaning salaries before tax. The average salary, or mean salary, is calculated by adding up the total salary for all individuals within the profession and dividing it by the number of individuals. For specific job categories, we have also considered various criteria such as experience and education.
Profession Preparator, conservator has the SSYK code 2651, which we use to match against the SCB database to obtain the latest salary statistics.
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