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Contract Historical Curator Jobs (NOW HIRING)

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Contract Historical Curator information

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$25.5K

$72.6K

$119.5K

How much do contract historical curator jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 11, 2026, the average yearly pay for contract historical curator in the United States is $72,627.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $50,000.00 and $94,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a contract historical curator?

Contract historical curators are professionals who are hired on a temporary or project-specific basis to manage, research, and interpret historical collections or exhibits for museums, archives, or other cultural institutions. Their duties often include cataloging artifacts, designing exhibits, preparing educational materials, and ensuring the proper preservation of historical items. Unlike full-time staff curators, contract historical curators typically work on short-term assignments, providing specialized expertise for particular projects or timeframes. This role requires a background in history, museum studies, or a related field, along with strong research and organizational skills.

What is the difference between Contract Historical Curator vs Contract Archivist?

AspectContract Historical CuratorContract Archivist
Required CredentialsBachelor's or Master's in History, Museum Studies, or related field; often requires experience in curationBachelor's or Master's in Library Science, Archival Studies, or related field; experience in records management
Work EnvironmentMuseums, historical societies, cultural institutionsArchives, libraries, government agencies
Employer & Industry UsageUsed by cultural and historical organizations to manage collectionsUsed by institutions managing records and historical documents

The Contract Historical Curator focuses on managing and interpreting historical collections in museums or cultural institutions, while the Contract Archivist specializes in preserving and organizing records and documents. Both roles require related credentials and work in similar environments, but their primary focus differs—collections vs. records management.

What are some typical challenges faced by contract historical curators when working with diverse collections and stakeholders?

Contract historical curators often encounter the challenge of quickly acclimating to an institution's unique collection, documentation systems, and curatorial standards. They must efficiently build relationships with permanent staff and community stakeholders, balancing the need to preserve historical integrity with project deadlines and budgets. Adapting to varying institutional cultures and managing multiple short-term projects simultaneously can also require strong organizational and communication skills. This dynamic role offers valuable experience across different collections and can open doors to permanent curatorial positions.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a contract historical curator?

To thrive as a Contract Historical Curator, you need a solid background in history or museum studies, experience with artifact management, and often an advanced degree in a related field. Familiarity with collection management systems, digital archiving tools, and relevant certifications such as Registered Member (RPA) or Certified Archivist are commonly required. Strong research skills, attention to detail, and effective communication and project management abilities set outstanding curators apart. These skills are essential for accurately preserving and interpreting historical materials, ensuring compliance with standards, and successfully managing projects on a contract basis.
More about Contract Historical Curator jobs
What cities are hiring for Contract Historical Curator jobs? Cities with the most Contract Historical Curator job openings:
What are the most commonly searched types of Historical Curator jobs? The most popular types of Historical Curator jobs are:
What states have the most Contract Historical Curator jobs? States with the most job openings for Contract Historical Curator jobs include:
What job categories do people searching Contract Historical Curator jobs look for? The top searched job categories for Contract Historical Curator jobs are:
Infographic showing various Contract Historical Curator job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 81% Full Time, 16% Part Time, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 84% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 13% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $72,627 per year, or $34.9 per hour.

GEOINT History Program Specialist - Senior #793

Allen Integrated Solutions

Washington, DC

Full-time

Re-posted 20 days ago


Job description

GEOINT History Program Specialist – Senior

Clearance Required: TS/SCI

Location: Springfield, VA - 100% onsite

The GEOINT History Program Specialist – Senior, takes direction form the NGA Historian and is responsible for the management and execution of the historical program, from research and writing to curation and operations. This individual leads the support to operate and maintain the material culture aspects of NGA's history, to operate and maintain the archives and all associated material residing in the Historical Research Center, and to preserve and communicate NGA's history to NGA's employees and public affairs mission both internally externally. Duties include content development and execution, Historical Research Center management, museum management, and archiving and curation. As the senior level historian, provide oversight of history services within the contract to include AP Style copy editing.

Duties Include:

  • Content Development & Execution: Research, develop, and, execute a high volume of historical content illustrating NGA's history for both internal and external audiences. Products include articles, brochures, social media posts, podcast production, website content, museum exhibits, and museum tour guides.
  • Historical Research Center Management: Focus on artifact section, storage, and curation requirements while assisting the NGA Historian in refining internal charge out and external loan procedures for artifacts. This also includes archival management, artifact curation, and preservation. Key duties include processing, inventorying, and organizing all archival records and historical artifacts, ensuring their proper care and accessibility. Locate new materials and advise government customers on acquisition, preservation, and display possibilities. Help identify items for deaccession and work the process for proper removal.
  • NGA Museum Management: Work with other museums on loans, exhibits, artifact solicitation, and advise in acquisition decisions. This also includes researching, developing, and producing historical displays, posters, exhibits, museum experiences, conducting guided museum tours and any museum specific communications about NGA history program.
  • Internal Collaboration & Oversight: Provide copy editing and quality assurance for all history program products. Support the NGA Historian on inventorying and accountability procedures for historical artifacts in NGA custody to include measurement metrics and assisting in history program audits.

Required Skills:

  • Education: A minimum of a Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution in History, Geography, Library Science, Museum Studies, Museum Science, or a related field.
  • Experience: A minimum of 8 years of hands-on experience in the career field of history, geography, library science, museum studies, or museum science role. In lieu of a bachelor's degree, the candidate must have 8+ years of direct museum practice, artifact preservation, curation, or history-related positions.
  • Communication Skills: Strong written and verbal communication abilities with an eagerness to draft, edit, and proofread materials.
  • Attention to Detail: A high degree of accuracy and thoroughness when completing tasks such as inventorying and entering records metadata, or recording the origins and significance of archival materials.
  • Organizational Skills: The ability to assist with multiple tasks and prioritize assignments effectively in a fast-paced support role. Organize archival records and apply the proper classification systems to facilitate access to archival materials.
  • Interpersonal Skills: The ability to build effective working relationships with internal colleagues and community partners.
  • Ability to work independently on assigned tasks while also functioning as a collaborative and reliable team member.
  • Written and Verbal Communication: Strong writing, editing, and presentation skills, with the ability to translate complex information into clear, accessible language.

Project Coordination: Experience managing smaller projects from start to finish, including coordinating with multiple stakeholders to meet deadlines.