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Collections Museum Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Smith College

Collections Registrar

Northampton, MA · On-site

$52K - $71K/yr

Department Museum of Art Job Summary As a member of the Collections Management team at the Smith College Museum of Art, the Associate Registrar plays a key role in the stewardship, documentation, and ...

Museum of the Bible

Collections Manager

Washington, DC

$65K - $70K/yr

Catalog and document Museum special collections according to Museum documentation standards * Move objects to and from storage as required for preparation, exhibit, conservation, photography, loan ...

University of New Mexico

Collections Associate

Taos, NM · On-site

$3.8K - $4.0K/mo

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

The Collections Associate manages the museum's collections management database and coordinates all aspects of incoming and outgoing loans, object movement, condition reporting, packing and shipping ...

Washington University of St. Louis

  • Medical

  • Retirement

  • PTO

In collaboration with Museum staff; designs appropriate housing (for storage and display) for collections objects. * Organizes and participates in the regular inventory of the permanent collection.

Georgia Southern University

Museum Director

Statesboro, GA · On-site

$78K - $102K/yr

Oversee museum facilities and collections to ensure for their proper care and preservation * With status as faculty in the Department of History, the Director manages the museum's graduate teaching ...

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How much do collections museum jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 19, 2026, the average hourly pay for collections museum in the United States is $21.46, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $17.79 and $24.04 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a collections museum?

A Collections Museum job involves managing, preserving, and organizing artifacts, artworks, or historical objects within a museum. Professionals in this role ensure proper documentation, storage, and conservation of collection items. They may also collaborate with curators, researchers, and educators to make collections accessible to the public through exhibitions and programs. Strong attention to detail and knowledge of preservation techniques are essential in this field.

What does a collections museum professional do?

Professionals in museum collections management spend much of their day cataloging and documenting new acquisitions, conducting regular condition checks, and arranging proper storage of artifacts. They frequently collaborate with curators, conservators, and exhibition teams to prepare pieces for display and to ensure collections are maintained according to industry standards. Other responsibilities include managing database records, preparing objects for loans or travel, and responding to research requests from both internal staff and the public. This role requires a balance of hands-on work with physical objects and administrative tasks that support the long-term integrity of the museum’s holdings.

What skills and qualifications are needed for a collections museum position?

To excel in a Museum Collections role, you need a solid background in art history, museum studies, or a related field along with experience in collection management. Familiarity with collection management software such as TMS (The Museum System), barcoding tools, and proper handling and cataloging techniques is vital. Strong attention to detail, organizational skills, and effective communication are important soft skills for managing and documenting artifacts. These attributes are crucial for ensuring the long-term preservation and accessibility of museum collections and for collaborating successfully with curators and other staff.

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Collections Museum jobs near you
Infographic showing various Collections Museum job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 83% Full Time, 13% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 91% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 6% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $44,646 per year, or $21.5 per hour.

Collections Registrar

Smith College

Northampton, MA • On-site

$52K - $71K/yr

Full-time

Re-posted 14 days ago

Smith College rating

8.2

Company rating: 8.2 out of 10

Based on 11 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

145th of 619 rated colleges and universities

Job description

If you have any questions about the position or our application process, reach out to us at recruiting-u@smith.edu.
Department
Museum of Art
Job Description
Job Summary
As a member of the Collections Management team at the Smith College Museum of Art, the Associate Registrar plays a key role in the stewardship, documentation, and accessibility of the museum's collection. The Associate Registrar holds primary responsibility for the administration of the museum's collections database, manages rights and reproductions, and oversees collections digitization. They are responsible for complying with applicable laws, regulations, and professional standards related to collections management, documentation, intellectual property, and the stewardship of culturally sensitive material. Working both independently and collaboratively, they establish and maintain systems that support the collections care, use, and discovery. The Associate Registrar also serves as a critical partner in collections and building management projects and coordinating other essential collections-related activities.
Take appropriate actions to support a diverse workforce and participate in the College's efforts to create a respectful, inclusive, and welcoming work environment.
Essential Functions
Collections Access and Location Control (30%):
  • Facilitate collection access for in-person visits by students, classes, and academic researchers
  • Manage location control for SCMA's collection, overseeing annual inventories for insurance compliance as well as confirming the presence and condition of artworks
  • Oversee Cunningham Center location management in coordination with the Cunningham Center Manager
  • Direct organization of art storage areas to maximize efficient use of storage space
  • Oversee collections objects' location control during moves including major building projects and renovations

Database Administration (30%)
  • Manage SCMA's implementation of the consortial Five College Collections Management System (Qi/Keepthinking)
  • Provide training to SCMA staff and other Smith College stakeholders in both the Qi CMS as well as the Qi public portal
  • Liaise with FCI and Keepthinking to resolve database issues and implement software updates
  • Serve as SCMA liaison to the consortial Collections Management and Access Committee which sets standards for data governance

Collections Documentation (10%):
  • Manage the digitization of the collection including object photography and critical object records
  • Maintain confidential paper files relating to the collection in conjunction with the digital files in the Collections Management System
  • Create acquisition paperwork and documentation. Create and manage workflows for intake of artworks.

Exhibitions (10%):
  • Assist with logistics, paperwork, condition reporting, and installation/deinstallation of exhibitions as needed
  • Work with Exhibitions and Loans Specialist to ensure exhibitions documentation is entered into the Collections Management System in a consistent, timely manner

Rights and reproductions (10%)
  • Oversee external rights and reproductions requests and fulfilment for permanent collections objects
  • Manage copyright permissions and image use for SCMA
  • Update Collections Management System with rights and reproductions information and work with artists and artist representatives to gain copyright permissions for new acquisitions

Collections Stewardship (10%)
  • Oversee processing and disposition of found-in-collections materials, complying with appropriate abandoned property laws
  • Oversee processing of large, previously unprocessed gifts
  • Oversee collections logistics of deaccessioning artworks identified through curatorial assessment, including provenance and title research

Perform other duties as assigned by management.
MINIMUM REQUIRED Qualifications:
  • Graduate Degree, Field: Museum studies, MLIS, or related
  • 5 or more years experience, Area: Museum Collections Management or Registration

Knowledge of:
Museum core standards and best practices for Collections Management, relational databases, museum lexica including Getty AAT, legal regulations governing abandoned property, title and provenance laws and regulations, repatriation and cultural protection ethics and regulations, best practices in digital asset management, project management systems and software
Skills:
Adobe creative suite, organizational skills and attention to detail, ability to work collaboratively with coworkers throughout the museum
Compensation
In addition to a competitive benefits package, annualized pay for this role is typically between $52,845.22 - $71,496.48 covering the middle half of market compensation. Actual compensation will vary based on individual qualifications and work schedule if less than full-time.
Position Type
Regular
Please attach BOTH a current resume and a cover letter in order for your application to be considered for this position . Be sure you have provided all attachments before submitting your application.
You will NOT be able to attach additional files after you have hit the Submit button.
Review of applications will begin
August 3, 2026
About Smith College
Located in Northampton, MA, Smith College is one of the largest women's colleges in the country and is dedicated to excellence in teaching and research across the liberal arts. A faculty of outstanding scholars interact with students in small classes, as advisors, and through student-faculty research projects. The College is a member of the Five College Consortium with Amherst, Hampshire and Mt. Holyoke Colleges, and the University of Massachusetts Amherst. Students cross-enroll and faculty cross-teach across the Five Colleges.
Consistent with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and Massachusetts General Law, Chapter 151B, it is the policy of Smith College to provide reasonable accommodation when requested by a qualified applicant or employee with a disability, unless such accommodation would cause an undue hardship. The policy regarding requests for reasonable accommodation applies to all aspects of employment, including the application process. If reasonable accommodation is needed, please contact our recruiting team at recruiting-u@smith.edu.
As set forth in our mission and values, Smith College is committed to promoting a culture of equity and inclusion among students, staff and faculty. The College will not discriminate in employment on the basis of age, race, color, ethnicity, national origin, creed, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy, genetic information, age, veteran status, physical or mental disability, or any other classification protected by law. Smith College is an equal opportunity employer and complies with all state and federal laws that prohibit discrimination.

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