Technical Occupations in Libraries, Archives, Museums and Art Galleries

What they do?

Library and archive technicians and assistants help users get information from library/archive resources, assist librarians/archivists in cataloguing new acquisitions, and conduct reference searches.

Conservation and restoration technicians assist conservators to preserve/restore artifacts.

Curatorial assistants help research, handle, and store artifacts.

Museum guides and interpreters conduct tours of museum/gallery exhibitions and of historical or heritage sites.

Museum registrars and cataloguers classify and register artifacts and supervise inventory control.

Preparators construct displays/dioramas, and prepare artifacts for storage/shipping.

Picture framers fabricate custom frames and mount paintings/other art work.

Where they find work?

1. Information and cultural industries - 43.0%
2. Educational services - 22.0%
3. Arts entertainment and recreation - 15.0%
4. Public administration - 8.0%

What education do I need?

1. In general, you usually need a post-secondary qualification and specialized training. In some cases, you may substitute appropriate work experience for academic qualifications.

2. You usually need a college program in museum or conservation technology or other technical or on-the-job training program.

3. To be a library and archive technician or assistant, you usually need a college library technician diploma or a university degree in a social science discipline.

4. To be a registrar, interpreter or cataloguer, you may need a university degree in a field related to museum/gallery work. Interpreters may require specific scientific or academic credentials.

5. Most recent entrants have an undergraduate university degree.

High School Subject that will help:

1. English
2. Sciences
3. Computer-related courses
4. History

What can you expect to make:

The average hourly wages for Technical Occupations in Libraries, Archives, Museums and Art Galleries is $15.97/HR, which is below average for occupations in the art, culture, recreation and sport sector and are below average for all technical, professional, and skilled occupations. These wages grew at an average rate from 2002 to 2004.

Unemployment:

5% of Technical Occupations in Libraries, Archives, Museums and Art Galleries are unemployed. This rate is close to the average for technical, professional, and skilled occupations.

Current Job Outlook:

The job outlook for Technical Occupations in Libraries, Archives, Museums and Art Galleries is considered Average because:

1. Employment grew at an above-average rate.

2. The retirement rate is above average, and the number of retiring workers contributes to job openings.

3. Hourly wages ($15.97) are close to the average ($18.07), and the wage growth is close to the average.

4. The unemployment rate (5%) is close to the 2004 average (7%).

Future Job Prospects:

Your job outlook will continue to be Average because:

1. The employment growth rate will likely be close to the average.

2. The retirement rate will likely be above average and the number of retiring workers should contribute to job openings.

3. The number of job seekers will likely exceed the number of job openings.

Highest Concetration:

The highest concentrations (per 10,000 people) of Technical Occupations in Libraries, Archives, Museums and Art Galleries are found in Alberta and Saskatchewan while the lowest concentrations are in Ontario and Manitoba.

Unionization Rate:

The unionization rate (58%) is above the average (32%) for all occupations.

Useful Experience:

1. Researching

2. Audio-visual equipment

3. Planning

Age Demographics

Age Demographics:

Self Employed

Self Employed:

Men vs Women

Men vs Women: