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Assistant Curator Jobs in Washington (NOW HIRING)

Museum Curator

Washington, DC ยท On-site +1

$85K - $133K/yr

Latin America, Asia, or the broader Global South, who will assist the department in thoughtful ... Applicants selected will be titled as either GS-1015-11 Assistant Curator or GS-1015-12 Associate ...

Museum Curator

Washington, DC ยท On-site +1

$85K - $133K/yr

Latin America, Asia, or the broader Global South, who will assist the department in thoughtful ... Applicants selected will be titled as either GS-1015-11 Assistant Curator or GS-1015-12 Associate ...

Assistant Conservator

Washington, DC ยท On-site +1

$85K - $111K/yr

... curation, and preservation of collections of objects and specimens of natural history, which tells ... Learn more about this agency Duties Help The Assistant Conservator will support the care of NMNH ...

Assistant Conservator

Washington, DC ยท On-site +1

$85K - $111K/yr

... curation, and preservation of collections of objects and specimens of natural history, which tells ... Learn more about this agency Duties Help The Assistant Conservator will support the care of NMNH ...

Duties and Responsibilities: * Assist with data collection, curation, preprocessing, and integration from diverse biomedical and clinical sources. * Conduct exploratory data analysis , data ...

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Assistant Curator information

See Washington salary details

$8

$24

$37

How much do assistant curator jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 5, 2026, the average hourly pay for assistant curator in Washington is $24.89, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $19.86 and $28.03 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does an assistant curator do?

The job of an assistant curator is to assist the chief curator at a museum with various tasks. These jobs include things like helping to research exhibits and collect new items to display as well as cataloging. An assistant curator frequently helps plan and implement new exhibits, oversees permanent galleries, supports restoration work, helps create educator guides, and supports the marketing efforts of the museum. They may also supervise museum employees, teach students, and respond to inquiries from the public. Many curators also help draft budgets and maintain electronic databases. The qualifications for this position typically include a postsecondary degree in a relevant field.

What is an assistant curator?

Assistant curators are museum or gallery professionals who support senior curators in managing collections, organizing exhibitions, and conducting research. Their responsibilities often include cataloguing artifacts, assisting with acquisitions, preparing displays, and helping develop educational programs. They also collaborate with other staff, handle administrative duties, and may interact with the public or researchers. This entry-level to mid-level role is vital for the smooth operation and preservation of cultural and historical collections.

How does an assistant curator typically collaborate with other museum departments?

Assistant Curators frequently work alongside colleagues in education, conservation, registration, and marketing to develop and execute exhibitions and programs. They may coordinate with registrars for object loans, communicate with conservators to assess and prepare artworks, and support educational staff in creating interpretive materials. This collaborative approach ensures that exhibitions are both engaging and logistically sound, offering valuable cross-departmental experience and insight to Assistant Curators.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an assistant curator, and why are they important?

To thrive as an Assistant Curator, you need a solid background in art history or museum studies, usually with a relevant degree, and experience in research or collection management. Familiarity with collection databases, exhibition planning software, and digital cataloging tools is often required. Strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and effective communication are vital soft skills for collaborating on exhibitions and engaging with the public. These skills ensure the accurate care, interpretation, and presentation of collections, contributing to a museum's educational mission and visitor experience.
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Infographic showing various Assistant Curator job openings in Washington as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 81% Full Time, and 19% Part Time. Highlights an 89% In-person, and 11% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $51,770 per year, or $24.9 per hour.

Museum Curator

National Gallery of Art

Washington, DC โ€ข On-site, Remote

$85K - $133K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Life, Retirement

Posted 15 days ago


Job description

Summary
The National Gallery of Art welcomes all people to explore art, creativity, and our shared humanity. Millions of people come through our doors each year, with even more online, making us one of the most visited art museums in the world. Our renowned collection includes over 160,000 works of art, from the ancient world to today. Admission to the West and East Buildings, Sculpture Garden, special exhibitions, and public programs is always free.
Learn more about this agency
Duties
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The Division of Prints and Drawings at the National Gallery of Art is responsible for the care, study, display, and expansion of a world-class collection of some 120,000 works-prints, drawings, artists' books, and ephemera from the United States, Europe, and other parts of the world from the medieval period to the present day. Through exhibitions, publications, and collaborations across the National Gallery and with international partners, the Department advances understanding of artists' working methods and ensures the long-term preservation of these light-sensitive works. This position is for an emerging scholar with expertise in prints and drawings post-1860, with an emphasis on the graphic arts of outside of Europe and the United States, i.e. Latin America, Asia, or the broader Global South, who will assist the department in thoughtful stewardship, augmentation, and interpretation of the graphics collection to facilitate expansive storytelling and new perspectives.
Applicants selected will be titled as either GS-1015-11 Assistant Curator or GS-1015-12 Associate Curator
Duties for this position include;
  • Ensure accurate documentation of and reliable access to the Gallery's collection of modern and contemporary prints and drawings
  • Perform scholarly research to ensure scholarly cataloguing of works on paper post-1860
  • Participate in the evaluation of options for conservation treatment for the prints and drawings collection.
  • Develop research and publish projects related to the collection of modern and contemporary prints and drawings
  • Work collaboratively with Gallery colleagues and counterparts in other institutions.
  • Develop or execute concepts for loan exhibitions or installations of selections from the permanent collection on a regular basis. Coordinates with the departments of Exhibitions, Conservation, Registrar, and Design and Installation to meet exhibition production schedule deadlines
  • Participates in the thoughtful augmentation of the post-1860 prints and drawings collection through judicious proposals for acquisitions

Requirements
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Conditions of employment
  • You must be a United States Citizen.
  • This employer participates in the e-Verify program.
  • Males born after 12/31/59 must be registered for Selective Service
  • Pass Pre-employment Background Investigation
  • Suitable for Federal employment, determined by a background investigation
  • May be required to successfully complete a probationary period

Qualification requirements must be met by the closing date of the announcement. For information on qualification requirements, see Qualification Standards Handbook for General Schedule Positions viewable on OPM Website. It is your responsibility to ensure that you submit appropriate documentation prior to the closing date. Your resume serves as the basis for qualification determinations and must highlight your most relevant and significant experience as it relates to this job announcement. Be clear and specific when describing your work history since human resources cannot make assumptions regarding your experience.
Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community, student, social). Your resume must include the dates of all qualifying experience (from month/year to month/year) and the number of hours worked/volunteered per week.
Qualifications
Basic Requirements:
A. Degree: museum work; or in an applicable subject-matter field.
OR
B. Combination of education and experience courses equivalent to a major, as shown in A above, plus appropriate experience or additional education.
OR
C. Four years of experience that provided knowledge comparable to that normally acquired through the successful completion of the 4-year course of study as shown in A above
GS-11 Specialized Experience Statement: Candidates must possess at least one year of specialized experience, equivalent in responsibility to the GS-09 level in the Federal service or private sector working with modern and contemporary prints and drawings in a curatorial capacity in a fine arts museum; AND demonstrated expertise in the history of modern and contemporary graphic arts outside of Europe and the United States, i.e. Latin America, Asia, or the broader Global South for a art museum.
GS-12 Specialized Experience Statement: Candidates must possess at least one year of documented specialized experience, equivalent in responsibility to the GS-11 level in the Federal service or private sector working with modern and contemporary prints and drawings in a curatorial capacity in a fine arts museum; AND demonstrated experience researching, curating, and proposing acquisitions of modern and contemporary prints drawings fromoutside of Europe and the United States, i.e. Latin America, Asia, or the broader Global South for a art museum.
Individual Occupational Requirements: Museum Curator Series 1015 Associated Group standard: General Schedule Qualification Standards
Other Relevant Eligibility Criteria: May be required to submit a writing sample.
You must meet all qualification and eligibility requirements by the closing date of this announcement.
Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community, student, social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.
Education
A. Degree: museum work; or in an applicable subject-matter field.
OR
B. Combination of education and experience courses equivalent to a major, as shown in A above, plus appropriate experience or additional education.
OR
C. Four years of experience that provided knowledge comparable to that normally acquired through the successful completion of the 4-year course of study as shown in A above
Education must be obtained from an accredited institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. Foreign education must be reviewed by an organization recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. For special instructions pertaining to foreign education and a list of organizations that can evaluate foreign education, see the Department of Education website.
Additional information
The National Gallery of Art fosters a diverse and inclusive workplace and is an Equal Opportunity Employer. EEO Policy: https://help.usajobs.gov/equal-employment-opportunity
More than one selection may be made from this vacancy announcement.
This position is included in the bargaining unit.
Relocation expenses will not be paid.
Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.
Reasonable Accommodation Policy: http://help.usajobs.gov/reasonable-accommodation
Veterans Information: http://help.usajobs.gov/working-in-government/unique-hiring-paths/veterans
Selective Service Registration: http://www.sss.gov/
Veterans Employment Opportunity Act (VEOA): To be eligible for a VEOA appointment under Merit Promotion procedures, the veteran must be a preference eligible or a veteran separated after 3 years or more of continuous active service performed under honorable conditions.
Noncompetitive Appointment Authorities: For more information on noncompetitive appointment authority eligibility
requirements visit the following websites:
  • Persons with Disabilities-Schedule A
  • Special Hiring Authorities for Veterans
  • Special Hiring Authority for Certain Military Spouses
  • Other Special Appointment Authorities

Reasonable Accommodation Requests: The National Gallery of Art provides reasonable accommodation to applicants with disabilities. If you need an accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process, please notify the contact person listed in this announcement.
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Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.
Benefits
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A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.
The Federal Government offers a comprehensive benefits package.
Flexible Spending Accounts - http://www.fsafeds.com/
Health Insurance - http://www.opm.gov/insure/health/index.asp
Leave - http://www.opm.gov/oca/leave/index.asp
Life Insurance - http://www.opm.gov/insure/life/index.asp
Retirement Program - http://www.opm.gov/retirement-services/
Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.