Archivists, conservators and curators: average salary and pay in the UK
Full-time archivists, conservators and curators in the UK earned a median £34,237 in the year to 5 April 2025, according to the ONS Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings (ASHE): £4,802 below the all-jobs median of £39,039.
What the figures show
That puts it 211th of 382, in the middle third of occupations.
Median full-time pay: women £33,209 a year, men £36,078 a year.
Full-time paid hours are shorter than usual, a median of 36 a week.
ASHE counts roughly 10,000 employee jobs, 80% full-time.
Since 2021 it has risen 20.8%, from £28,346, slower than the 25.0% for all jobs.
The Annual Population Survey counts 17,100 people in this line of work across the UK.
Pay distribution, 2025 provisional
| Gross pay | Full-time, annual | Full-time, weekly | Full-time, hourly | All, annual | All, weekly | All, hourly |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 20th percentile | – | £587.90 | £15.82 | – | – | £14.99 |
| 25th percentile | £30,988 | – | £16.28 | £23,906* | – | £15.56 |
| 30th percentile | £31,713 | £605.50 | £17.27 | £25,794* | £517.80* | £16.07 |
| 40th percentile | £33,377 | £642.90 | £17.77 | £30,138* | £587.30* | £17.37 |
| Median (50th percentile) | £34,237* | £661.20 | £18.29 | £33,096* | £610.10 | £18.08 |
| 60th percentile | £36,238* | £699.10* | £19.27* | £33,939* | £651.70* | £19.12 |
| 70th percentile | – | £774.70* | £20.98* | £36,592* | £698.40* | £20.31* |
| Mean | £36,514 | £720.50 | £19.90 | £32,324 | £610.70 | £19.42 |
Pay since 2021
| ASHE year | Full-time, annual median | Full-time, weekly median | Full-time, hourly median | All, annual median | All, weekly median | Jobs (thousands, indicative) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 revised | £28,346* | £541.90 | £14.77 | £26,962* | £517.90* | 9* |
| 2022 revised | £31,630 | £613.40 | £16.81 | £28,299* | £549.80* | 11* |
| 2023 revised | £33,566* | £641.50 | £17.41 | £30,574* | £581.60* | 11* |
| 2024 revised | £32,524 | £637.50 | £17.19 | £31,490 | £600.90 | 12* |
| 2025 provisional | £34,237* | £661.20 | £18.29 | £33,096* | £610.10 | 10* |
Archivists, conservators and curators by region
UK: 17,100 (± 5,100), April 2025 to March 2026.
Annual Population Survey (Nomis)
What archivists, conservators and curators do
Archivists, conservators and curators collect, appraise and preserve collections of recorded and other material of historical interest. (ONS SOC 2020, 2472)
Also covers: archivist, conservator, curator, keeper (art gallery), museum officer, collection officer, collections manager, conservation technician, curatorial assistant, education officer, museum educator, museum keeper, museums officer, arts education officer, education officer (museum), museum conservation officer and inspector of ancient monuments.
- Examines, appraises and advises on the acquisition of exhibits, historic records, government papers and other material
- Classifies material and arranges for its safe keeping and preservation
- Maintains indexes, bibliographies and descriptive details of archive material and arranges for reproductions of items where necessary
- Examines objects to identify any damage and carries out necessary restoration whilst preserving original characteristics
- Makes sure that storage and display conditions protect objects from deterioration and damage
- Allows access to original material or material not on display for researchers
Entrants require a good first degree in order to gain entry to a relevant postgraduate course. Many postgraduate courses also require applicants to have gained relevant practical experience prior to entry. Training is typically received on-the-job.
Related
Librarians and related professionals (median £36,879) · Librarians · Welfare professionals n.e.c. · salary percentile · UK average weekly earnings growth · Median
ASHE Table 14: 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025 · coding index · notes · 15 October 2026