1

Associate Museum Curator Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Museum Curator

Washington, DC · On-site +1

$143K - $187K/yr

... Associate Curator of Latinx Art and its Curator of Native American and Global Indigenous Art ... Degree: museum work; or in an applicable subject-matter field. OR * Combination of education and ...

Associate Curator

New York, NY · On-site

$90K - $100K/yr

About Our Organization Founded in 1968, the Studio Museum in Harlem is the nexus for artists of ... Job Summary The Associate Curator will assume primary responsibility for the execution and ...

$50K/yr

Comprised of three Art Partners-Alliance Theatre, Atlanta Symphony Orchestra and High Museum of Art-there's a role for everyone at The Woodruff. Reports to: Senior Curator, Modern & Contemporary Art ...

Carlyle House, an eighteenth-century historic house museum committed to telling an inclusive story ... associate experienced in children's programming, working with volunteers and collections. The ...

next page

Showing results 1-20

Associate Museum Curator information

See salary details

$18

$28

$35

How much do associate museum curator jobs pay per hour?

As of Jul 27, 2026, the average hourly pay for associate museum curator in the United States is $28.71, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $26.20 and $31.49 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is the difference between Associate Museum Curator vs Museum Curator?

AspectAssociate Museum CuratorMuseum Curator
Required CredentialsBachelor's or Master's degree in Art History, Museum Studies, or related field; some experienceSimilar educational background; often more experience required
Work EnvironmentAssist with exhibitions, collections, and research under supervisionLead projects, make curatorial decisions, oversee collections
Employer & Industry UsageCommon entry-level or mid-level role in museums and galleriesSenior or lead role in similar institutions
Search & Comparison IntentYes, often compared for career progressionYes, as a more advanced position

The Associate Museum Curator typically supports curatorial activities, assisting with collections and exhibitions, often as an entry or mid-level role. The Museum Curator holds more responsibility, leading projects and making key decisions. Both roles require similar educational backgrounds, but the Museum Curator usually has more experience and authority within the museum setting.

What are some typical responsibilities of an Associate Museum Curator, and how do they collaborate with other museum staff?

An Associate Museum Curator is often responsible for assisting with the development, organization, and interpretation of museum collections and exhibitions. They frequently conduct research, help manage collections, and contribute to exhibition planning and installation. Collaboration is key in this role, as Associate Curators regularly work with educators, registrars, conservators, and marketing staff to ensure exhibitions are well-researched, preserved, and effectively communicated to the public. This teamwork helps create engaging and educational experiences for museum visitors.

What does an Associate Museum Curator do?

An Associate Museum Curator assists in managing and developing museum collections, planning exhibitions, and conducting research on artifacts or artworks. They often work under the supervision of a senior curator and collaborate with other museum staff to ensure the proper care and display of items. Their responsibilities can also include writing catalog descriptions, organizing educational programs, and engaging with the public to promote the museum’s mission. Overall, they play a vital role in shaping the museum's offerings and contributing to scholarly research.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an Associate Museum Curator, and why are they important?

To thrive as an Associate Museum Curator, you generally need a background in art history or a related field, research skills, and experience with collections management. Familiarity with museum collection databases, cataloguing systems, and sometimes certifications in museum studies are commonly required. Strong organizational abilities, attention to detail, and effective communication are crucial soft skills for collaborating with staff and engaging the public. These competencies ensure the preservation, interpretation, and accessibility of collections, which are essential for the museum's mission and visitor experience.
More about Associate Museum Curator jobs
What cities are hiring for Associate Museum Curator jobs? Cities with the most Associate Museum Curator job openings:
What are the most commonly searched types of Museum Curator jobs? The most popular types of Museum Curator jobs are:
What states have the most Associate Museum Curator jobs? States with the most job openings for Associate Museum Curator jobs include:
What job categories do people searching Associate Museum Curator jobs look for? The top searched job categories for Associate Museum Curator jobs are:
Infographic showing various Associate Museum Curator job openings in the United States as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 69% Full Time, 28% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 1% Contract. Highlights an 97% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 2% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $59,714 per year, or $28.7 per hour.
Museum Curator

Museum Curator

National Gallery of Art

Washington, DC • On-site, Remote

$143K - $187K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Life, Retirement

Posted 10 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
Help
The Department of American Art, at the National Gallery of Art, is responsible for the care, presentation, research and interpretation of a collection of over 1,500 American and British paintings, c.1700-1945, as well as its collection of American sculpture and decorative arts from that period. This European and American Art (CEA-AB) position is a recognized specialist in the history of American art before around 1920, is conversant in all periods of American and European art, organizes both collection-based and major loan exhibitions and writes important scholarly publications.
Duties for this position include;
  • Function as acting head of the department in the supervisory curator's absence. Represent CEA-AB on committees as assigned. Manages all curatorial aspects of projects he or she undertakes, assigns work to subordinate curatorial staff, provides direction, monitors progress, and evaluates the results.
  • Serve as CEA-AB's point of contact for installations of American art, as well as for CEA-AB's active program of loans to other institutions.
  • Consider merits of loan requests, makes recommendations for approval or denial; leads CEA-AB meetings to discuss loan decisions; coordinates with Loan Officers and Registrars on official review process and correspondence; determine and update insurance values for loans; acts as principal liaison between borrowing institutions, the department of loan services, conservation, framing, and the registrar for collections in his/her charge.
  • Write/review texts for brochures, leaflets, the National Gallery's website, and other National Gallery publications or scholarly programs.
  • Originate and organize temporary exhibitions of American art for the National Gallery.
  • Assume responsibility for all elements of exhibition planning apart from timing and budget.
  • Conduct lectures, tours, and other public programs for audiences of all levels. Is interviewed in films, podcasts, TV, and radio, and participates in social media initiatives.
  • Seeks out new donors and collectors of American art in collaboration with the National Gallery's Associate Curator of Latinx Art and its Curator of Native American and Global Indigenous Art.

Requirements
Help
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
  • See "Other Information" section regarding Selective Service requirements.
  • Suitable for Federal employment, determined by a background investigation

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:
  1. Degree: museum work; or in an applicable subject-matter field.
    OR
  2. Combination of education and experience courses equivalent to a major, as shown in 1. above, plus appropriate experience or additional education.
    OR
  3. 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 1. above.

Specialized Experience Statement: Candidates must possess at least one year of specialized experience, equivalent in responsibility to the GS-13 level in the Federal service demonstrating a broad knowledge of American and European Art, by acting as museum curator for American and British paintings from 1750 for a large art museum.
OPM Qualifications Standard:
Individual Occupational Requirements Museum Curator Series 1015
Associated Group standard; General Schedule Qualification Standards
Other Relevant Eligibility Criteria: None
Merit promotion applicants must meet the time-in-grade requirement as defined in 5 CFR 300, Subpart F.
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.
Note: Applicants who are referred to the hiring office for selection consideration may be required to submit writing and/or work samples as part of the interview/selection process. If the hiring office decides to request a writing and/or work sample as part of its selection process, the vacancy contact will reach out to you by email to: (1) inform you of this requirement; and (2) provide further instructions.
Education
This position has an education requirement.
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 fair workplace and is an Equal Opportunity Employer. The EEO policy is found at: http://www.nga.gov/employment-opportunities/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.
Some positions may require completion of a probationary period of up to 1 (one) year.
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.
EEO Policy: USAJOBS Help Center - Equal employment opportunity policy
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:
To learn more, please consult the following resources:
  • Disability Employment - Reasonable Accommodations (OPM)
  • How to contact an agency

Expand Hide additional information
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
Help
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.