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Gallery Assistant Jobs in Washington (NOW HIRING)

Gallery Housekeeping Support Associate

Annapolis, MD · On-site

$14.75 - $17.75/hr

Build and maintain partnerships within the Gallery team * Assist in the maintenance of the Gallery at all levels: * Vacuuming floors, tidying up rooms, gathering trash and restocking pantries

Build and maintain partnerships within the Gallery team * Assist in the maintenance of the Gallery at all levels: * Vacuuming floors, tidying up rooms, gathering trash and restocking pantries

Assistant Director

College Park, MD · On-site

$75 - $85/hr

## Assistant DirectorApplylocations: University of Maryland College Parktime type: Full timeposted on ... gallery and archives. The position will be regularly involved in most planning discussions and ...

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Gallery Assistant information

See Washington salary details

$10

$20

$28

How much do gallery assistant jobs pay per hour?

As of Sep 5, 2026, the average hourly pay for gallery assistant in Washington is $20.51, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $17.40 and $24.52 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a gallery assistant?

Gallery Assistants are professionals who support the daily operations of art galleries. Their duties typically include greeting visitors, providing information about exhibits, assisting with the installation and removal of artworks, maintaining the cleanliness and security of the gallery space, and supporting administrative tasks. Gallery Assistants often interact directly with artists, curators, and the public, making strong communication and organizational skills essential. This entry-level role is a great way to gain experience in the art world and can lead to more advanced positions in galleries or museums.

What does a gallery assistant do?

A gallery assistant provides administrative and creative services and customer service for an art gallery. In this job, your responsibilities include speaking with visitors, answering phone calls, coordinating events, working with gallery designers, and managing the gallery’s collection. Your duties may also include general administrative and assisting services, depending on the gallery and the particular exhibit. A career as a gallery assistant requires strong interpersonal and general business skills, as well as a background in art. A gallery assistant job usually has a bachelor’s degree in a field like art history. This job is often an entry-level position, and prior experience may not be necessary.

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

To thrive as a Gallery Assistant, you need strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and a background in art history or fine arts, often supported by a relevant degree or gallery experience. Familiarity with collection management software, point-of-sale systems, and digital communication tools is typically required. Excellent interpersonal skills, professionalism, and the ability to communicate effectively with visitors and artists are crucial soft skills. These capabilities are essential for ensuring smooth gallery operations, enhancing visitor experiences, and supporting the gallery’s reputation and sales.

What are some common challenges a gallery assistant faces, and how can they effectively manage them?

Gallery Assistants often navigate challenges such as managing multiple tasks during busy exhibitions, handling artwork with care, and addressing visitor inquiries. Effective time management and strong communication skills are key to balancing administrative duties, installation support, and customer service. Proactively learning about current exhibits and artists enables Gallery Assistants to provide informed responses to visitors and support curators and artists more efficiently. Adapting to a fast-paced environment and collaborating closely with the gallery team helps ensure smooth day-to-day operations.

What is the difference between Gallery Assistant vs Curatorial Assistant?

AspectGallery AssistantCuratorial Assistant
Required CredentialsHigh school diploma or equivalent; some roles prefer art-related courseworkBachelor's degree in art history, museum studies, or related field
Work EnvironmentArt galleries, museums, exhibition spacesMuseums, galleries, cultural institutions
Employer & Industry UsagePrimarily in commercial galleries and small museumsMostly in museums and larger cultural institutions
Common Search & Comparison IntentYesYes

Gallery Assistants typically handle visitor services, exhibit setup, and administrative tasks in galleries or small museums. Curatorial Assistants focus more on research, exhibit planning, and supporting curators in larger institutions. While both roles support the art environment, their responsibilities and required qualifications differ significantly.

How much do gallery assistants earn?

Gallery assistants typically earn between $10 and $20 per hour, depending on experience, location, and the size of the gallery. Entry-level positions may start at minimum wage, while experienced assistants or those working in high-end galleries can earn higher wages and benefits.

What are the responsibilities of a gallery assistant?

A gallery assistant is responsible for greeting visitors, providing information about artworks, maintaining the cleanliness and organization of the gallery space, assisting with installation and deinstallation of exhibits, and handling administrative tasks such as ticketing and sales. They often use basic knowledge of art and customer service skills to enhance visitor experience and support gallery operations.

What is the average salary for a gallery assistant?

The average salary for a gallery assistant is approximately $30,000 to $40,000 per year, depending on experience, location, and the size of the gallery. Entry-level positions may start lower, while experienced assistants or those working in larger institutions can earn higher wages. Skills in customer service, art handling, and familiarity with gallery management tools can influence compensation.

What are the most commonly searched types of Gallery jobs in Washington?

The most popular types of Gallery jobs in Washington are:

What are popular job titles related to Gallery Assistant jobs in Washington?

For Gallery Assistant jobs in Washington, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Gallery Assistant jobs in Washington look for?

The top searched job categories for Gallery Assistant jobs in Washington are:

What cities in Washington are hiring for Gallery Assistant jobs?

Cities in Washington with the most Gallery Assistant job openings:

Infographic showing various Gallery Assistant job openings in Washington as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 46% Full Time, 33% Part Time, and 21% Contract. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $42,665 per year, or $20.5 per hour.

Gallery Support Specialist

National Gallery of Art

Washington, DC • On-site, Remote

$70K - $91K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Life, Retirement

Posted 9 days ago


Key responsibilities

  • Manage and analyze press coverage and media inquiries.

  • Coordinate department projects and assist with press events.

  • Provide administrative support to the communication team, including managing budgets and data collection.


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 incumbent works in the Communications Department (DD-COM) of the National Gallery of Art (NGA) which is charged with the press relations and information activities of the museum.
Duties for this position include
  • Manage and analyze press coverage
  • Manage departmental budget
  • Use data to determine the impact of outreach activities
  • Coordinate department projects, setting up and managing project management systems
  • Provide administrative support to the staff of communication team
  • Assist with press events and managing incoming media inquiries in coordination with other team members

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
  • Pass Pre-employment Background Investigation
  • Suitable for Federal employment, determined by a background investigation
  • You may be required to serve 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
Master's degree in a related field
OR
Specialized Experience Statement: Candidates must possess at least one year of specialized experience, equivalent in responsibility to the GS-07 level in the Federal service or private sector, providing day-to-day administrative and operational support to a press and communications office in an art museum; establishing and maintaining project management systems; managing payments and budgets; managing data collection and analysis; monitoring and documenting media coverage AND assisting a department head in administrative matters.
OR
A combination of education and experience
OPM Qualifications Standard:
Miscellaneous Administration and Program Series 0301 Associated Group standard: Group Coverage Qualification Standard for Administrative and Management Positions
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
This position does not have an education requirement.
Additional information
The National Gallery of Art fosters a fair workplace and is an Equal Opportunity Employer. The EEO policy is found at: https://www.nga.gov/employment-opportunities/equal-employment-opportunity
More than one selection may be made from this vacancy announcement.
This position is not 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: https://help.usajobs.gov/reasonable-accommodation
Veterans Information: https://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
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.