Levels of fair pay and remuneration are among the most pressing issues facing conservation-restoration professionals. This biennial report, based on Icon's Salary Survey conducted in 2024, offers insight into the current state of salaries across the conservation sector. The results of this survey ensure we utilise the most up-to-date information to inform our work.
The purpose of the Icon Salaries Survey is to provide data, highlighting the issues and risk that low overall salaries can pose to the retention of the current conservation workforce, and attract new talent to the sector.
The Icon Conservation Salaries Survey 2024 ran from September to November 2024, attracting 374 responses. The survey covered a variety of job roles and levels of experience within the wider conservation profession.
Key Findings
The survey identified an increase in salary levels across all job roles, with the greatest salary increases in Mid-Career (22%) and Senior Professional (24%) positions. Pay levels for Early Career roles have seen a modest increase of 12%.
Icon’s 2024 Conservation Salaries Survey identified that the average salaries across the conservation profession are:
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Early career: £30,389
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Mid-career: £39,100
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Senior Professionals: £48,103
It is worth noting that inflation over the same period was 11%, meaning that the real benefit of pay increases has been limited.
Employer and Regional Disparities
The survey found that salary levels vary depending on employer type and geographic location:
- Conservators working in Scotland and Wales reported salaries above the national average, whilst those in the West Midlands, North-West England, and Yorkshire and the Humber earned below the national median.
- Private sector employers offer no significant pay advantage over museums, galleries, and archives. This challenges common assumptions about better compensation in the commercial conservation sector.
Additionally, the data reinforced that management responsibilities and financial oversight have the most significant positive impact on salaries, whereas material specialism and knowledge of conservation practice had little effect.
Icon's Ongoing Commitment to Supporting Fair Pay
Despite these increases, low pay remains a persistent issue across the heritage sector, affecting both workforce retention and the ability to attract new talent. Addressing this challenge requires ongoing commitment and sector-wide collaboration.
To support progress in salary levels and workforce sustainability, Icon is committed to:
- Supporting those with the ability to influence change, such as the important work of the union, Prospect, and campaigning organisation, Fair Museum Jobs.
- Continuing to highlight where job opportunities fall below the average salary for particular job roles, based upon our benchmarking system. (Find out more about Icon's conservation salary benchmarking here).
- Collaborating with professional conservators, partners, and key stakeholders to strengthen the case for fair recognition and compensation for conservation-restoration professionals.
This is not a new challenge to the profession; low overall salaries have long been a problem for the wider heritage sector. Sustained action is essential to ensure the profession receives the respect, recognition, and financial reward it deserves.
To view the full Salaries Survey Report, including methodology and detailed findings, click here.