Considering a Career in Cultural Heritage Management?
Published April 3, 2025
In the 21st century, we must protect and preserve our cultures, traditions, and history, including historic sites, natural habitats, and intangible aspects of heritage like music and food. Both our past and present inform our future, and we recognize the immense value of our heritage.
Explore how a master’s in cultural heritage management can equip you to make a meaningful impact on preserving our history.
What Is Cultural Heritage Management?
Cultural heritage management involves the careful and thoughtful preservation, protection, and promotion of cultural heritage sites, artifacts, and traditions.
Key Aspects of Cultural Heritage Management
Cultural heritage management includes many facets that encompass everything from preserving the past to preparing for the future.
- The Protection of Global Cultural Heritage: This includes the laws related to tangible and intangible heritage, including their interpretation, ownership, management, and protection.
- Heritage Interpretation: Provides an overview of current practices and emerging developments in the field as well as a wide range of tangible and intangible heritage.
- Cultural Heritage in the Digital Age: How scholars, researchers, and practitioners are using technology to preserve, document, visualize, and interpret cultural heritage around the world.
- Intangible Cultural Heritage: Understanding that communities, groups, and individuals embody and share ephemeral and ever-changing cultural beliefs, practices, and expressions.
High-Paying Careers in Cultural Heritage Management
What types of careers fall into the category of cultural heritage management? A wide variety, as you’ll see.
Urban and Regional Planner
Salary: $81,812, mid-level; $126,350, senior-level
Job Growth: 0.66%
Urban and regional planners create detailed plans and strategies for the development and utilization of land and infrastructure within various geographic areas, including towns, cities, counties, and metropolitan areas.
Park Naturalist
Salary: $67,595, mid-level; $110,849, senior-level
Job Growth: 0.64%
Park naturalists develop and implement educational programs that raise public awareness about the historical, natural, and scientific aspects of national, state, or local parks.
Historian
Salary: $64,318, mid-level; $139,090, senior-level
Job Growth: 0.64%
Historians delve into the depths of the past, meticulously examining, documenting, and deciphering information from a wide array of sources. These sources include government records, institutional documents, newspapers, photographs, interviews, films, electronic media, and even intimate, unpublished writings like personal diaries and letters.
Fundraiser
Salary: $64,241, mid-level; $107,378, senior-level
Job Growth: 0.81%
Fundraisers organize events and initiatives to collect monetary donations and gifts for museums, historical preservation societies, and other important cultural heritage groups. They may also create promotional materials and raise awareness about the organization’s mission, objectives, and financial requirements.
Anthropologist & Archeologist
Salary: $61,194, mid-level; $109,032, senior-level
Job Growth: 0.45%
Anthropologists and archaeologists study human origins, behavior, and culture. They analyze artifacts to understand past civilizations and their relationship to the present.
Data Source: Industry, occupation, compensation, and projected growth data are supplied by Lightcast. Economic and workforce information adjusts based on the selected geographic region and may include estimates made by Lightcast when actual data is not available. Johns Hopkins University cannot guarantee employment placement, salary level, or career advancement.
Benefits of a Cultural Heritage Management Master’s Degree Program
Those interested in starting or advancing their careers in cultural heritage management often find it beneficial to pursue a master’s degree. Here are three reasons why.
Learn to Safeguard Cultures and Natural Environments
A master’s degree in cultural heritage management equips you with the knowledge and skills needed to safeguard both cultural and natural environments. You’ll learn to identify and preserve cultural sites, artifacts, and traditions while understanding the interconnectedness of these elements with their natural surroundings.
You’ll also gain expertise in applying conservation techniques, developing sustainable management strategies, and navigating legal frameworks that protect heritage sites from threats. Upon completion, you’ll be ready to play an active role in preserving the legacy of diverse cultures and their natural landscapes for future generations.
Diverse Career Opportunities
As stated earlier, there’s no shortage of the types of careers you can pursue in this field, and a master’s degree is a fantastic way to find your specialty. From research to fieldwork, you’ll fulfill courses that speak to your strengths, interests, and passions. For those coming from a previous career, there are many transferable skills you can bring to a cultural heritage management degree program:
- Leading a team
- Presenting findings
- Critical thinking and analytical skills
- Cultural sensitivity
- Research techniques
- Project management
- Problem-solving
Real-World Experience
Cultural heritage management master’s degree programs offer opportunities for real-world, hands-on experience. For example, JHU AAP students have the chance to spend up to two weeks immersed in a culturally significant location, learning from their instructors and heritage professionals. This is a fantastic way to put your classroom knowledge to the test while working alongside others who share your passion and drive.
Discover the Benefits of an MA Degree in Cultural Heritage Management at Hopkins
Johns Hopkins University’s Advanced Academic Programs division offers working professionals the opportunity to earn their master’s degrees around their busy schedules. Aside from the onsite field experiences, courses for the Master of Arts in Cultural Heritage Management program are all online, giving you the freedom to learn on your own terms.
Learn more about our world-renowned cultural heritage management faculty and how to apply to our program today!