How to Become a Heritage Officer in the UK
Heritage officers protect historic buildings, archaeological sites and landscapes. In a council, the role is often called conservation officer or historic environment officer: you advise on listed building consent and planning applications, assess changes in conservation areas, and help owners repair old buildings properly. Others work for national heritage bodies, the National Trust or charities, managing sites, grants and community projects.
Most heritage officers have a degree in archaeology, history, architecture, planning or a related subject, and many add a postgraduate qualification in building conservation or heritage management. Volunteering and fieldwork experience are important for getting a first job.
Quick facts
- Starting salary
- £26,000 - £32,000
- Mid-career salary
- £35,000 - £48,000
- Senior salary
- £55,000 - £75,000
- Work environment
- Office, community or institutional setting
- Time to entry
- 1 - 3 years
- Degree required
- Sometimes required
- Category
- Public Sector and Emergency Services
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What a Heritage Officer does
Protect historic buildings, sites and landscapes through advice, planning and grants.
How to become a heritage officer in the UK
Most routes start with a relevant degree, such as archaeology, history, architecture, town planning or heritage studies. A master's in building conservation, historic environment or heritage management is common for council conservation posts, and some people move across after working as a town planner or archaeologist. Professional membership matters: the Institute of Historic Building Conservation (IHBC) for building conservation and the Chartered Institute for Archaeologists (CIfA) for archaeology. Employers include councils, Historic England, Cadw in Wales, Historic Environment Scotland, the National Trust and heritage charities.
- Study a relevant degree, such as archaeology, history, architecture or town planning, and choose modules on historic buildings or heritage management.
- Volunteer with a heritage charity, archaeology society, museum or building preservation trust to get practical experience on your CV.
- Learn how listed building consent and conservation areas work, including the legislation that applies in your nation, since this is the core of council casework.
- Consider a master's in building conservation or the historic environment, which many councils look for in conservation officer posts.
- Join the IHBC or CIfA at an entry membership grade and attend their events and training to meet people working in the sector.
- Apply for assistant conservation officer, historic environment or heritage project officer roles with councils, national heritage bodies and charities.
| Route | How long | Cost | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Relevant degree plus volunteering | 3 years | Tuition fee loan | School leavers interested in history |
| Master's in conservation or heritage | 1-2 years | Postgraduate fees | Graduates targeting council posts |
| Move across from planning or archaeology | Varies | Paid from day one | Planners and archaeologists |
How long it takes
Expect 1 to 3 years of study, volunteering or assistant roles before your first heritage officer post. A relevant master's degree can make the step into council conservation work quicker.
Heritage Officer salary in the UK
Heritage officers typically start on around £26,000 to £32,000. With experience, pay usually rises to £35,000 to £48,000, and senior or principal conservation officers and heritage managers can earn £55,000 to £75,000. Council posts follow local government pay grades, while national heritage bodies and charities set their own. Pay depends on your employer, professional membership such as the IHBC, and how much planning casework or team management the role includes.
Key skills
- Heritage law
- Conservation
- Community engagement
- Reporting
- Field work
Heritage Officer FAQs
How do I become a heritage officer?
Take a relevant degree such as archaeology, history, architecture or planning, build experience through volunteering, and consider a master's in building conservation. Then apply for assistant or heritage officer roles with councils, national heritage bodies and charities.
What qualifications do you need to be a heritage officer?
Most employers ask for a relevant degree, and council conservation posts often prefer a master's in building conservation or the historic environment. Membership of the IHBC or CIfA strengthens your applications as you progress.
How much does a heritage officer earn?
Heritage officers typically start on around £26,000 to £32,000, rising to £35,000 to £48,000 with experience. Senior and principal officers or heritage managers can earn £55,000 to £75,000.
Is a heritage officer the same as a conservation officer?
Often, yes. In councils, the person who advises on listed buildings and conservation areas is usually called a conservation officer or historic environment officer. Heritage officer can also describe broader roles in charities and national bodies, such as managing sites, grants or community projects.
Is Heritage Officer right for you?
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