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Hourly Museum Photographer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Mount Shop Preparator I-III

Chicago, IL

$15.50 - $19.50/hr

May photograph and measure objects , upload documentation to EMu, and collect and prepare materials ... Museum experience is strongly preferred. * This position requires the completion/passing of ...

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Hourly Museum Photographer information

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How much do hourly museum photographer jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 7, 2026, the average hourly pay for hourly museum photographer in the United States is $20.36, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $15.38 and $21.63 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What do hourly museum photographers get paid per hour?

Hourly museum photographers typically earn between $15 and $30 per hour, depending on experience, location, and the complexity of assignments. They often work on a freelance or part-time basis, using skills in photography and editing tools to capture exhibits and events.

What does an hourly museum photographer do?

An Hourly Museum Photographer is responsible for capturing high-quality images of museum exhibits, artifacts, events, and sometimes staff or visitors. They work on an hourly basis, which means they are often hired for specific projects or events rather than as full-time staff. Their photos may be used for promotional materials, documentation, educational purposes, or online content. This role requires technical photography skills, attention to detail, and sometimes knowledge of museum protocols regarding the handling of delicate objects.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an hourly museum photographer, and why are they important?

To thrive as an Hourly Museum Photographer, you need strong photography skills, a keen eye for detail, and familiarity with art or artifact handling, often supported by a relevant portfolio or photography education. Proficiency with DSLR or mirrorless cameras, lighting equipment, photo-editing software like Adobe Photoshop or Lightroom, and sometimes digital asset management systems is typical. Strong communication, time management, and problem-solving skills help you work efficiently with curators and other museum staff. These abilities ensure high-quality, accurate documentation of museum collections, supporting exhibitions, publications, and preservation needs.

What is the difference between Hourly Museum Photographer vs Part-Time Museum Photographer?

AspectHourly Museum PhotographerPart-Time Museum Photographer
CredentialsPhotography experience, possibly a degree or certificationSimilar credentials, often the same as hourly roles
Work EnvironmentMuseum settings, exhibitions, special eventsSame as hourly, may include additional projects
Employment TypePaid hourly, based on hours workedPart-time, may be paid hourly or per project
UsageCommonly searched for freelance or temporary rolesOften used interchangeably, but may imply fewer hours

The main difference is that an Hourly Museum Photographer is paid based on hours worked, often for short-term or freelance projects, while a Part-Time Museum Photographer may work fewer hours regularly but could be paid hourly or per project. Both roles require similar skills and work in museum environments, but the terminology can vary based on employment structure.

What are some common challenges faced by hourly museum photographers and how can they be managed?

Hourly museum photographers often face challenges such as working around fluctuating visitor traffic, adhering to strict lighting and preservation guidelines, and coordinating with curators to photograph sensitive or rare objects. To manage these challenges, it’s important to maintain flexibility in your schedule, develop strong communication skills with museum staff, and stay updated on best practices for artifact handling and low-light photography. Being proactive about planning shoots during quieter times and using appropriate equipment can help ensure high-quality results while respecting the integrity of the museum’s collection.
More about Hourly Museum Photographer jobs
What cities are hiring for Hourly Museum Photographer jobs? Cities with the most Hourly Museum Photographer job openings:
What are the most commonly searched types of Museum Photographer jobs? The most popular types of Museum Photographer jobs are:
What states have the most Hourly Museum Photographer jobs? States with the most job openings for Hourly Museum Photographer jobs include:
What job categories do people searching Hourly Museum Photographer jobs look for? The top searched job categories for Hourly Museum Photographer jobs are:
Infographic showing various Hourly Museum Photographer job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 51% Full Time, 44% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 99% Physical, and 1% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $42,345 per year, or $20.4 per hour.

$52.35/hr

Part-time

Re-posted 13 days ago


Job description

About CT State
Connecticut State Community College (CT State) was launched on July 1, 2023, through the consolidation of Connecticut's 12 community colleges. With campuses and satellite locations statewide, CT State serves all 169 towns and neighboring states. As the largest community college in New England, CT State is committed to providing high-quality, affordable, and accessible education that supports students' academic, career, and personal success.
For more information about CT State Community College and the campus please visit Home - CT State Position Details
Posted: June 25, 2026
Level: Educational Assistant
Employment Type:Temporary position, non-tenure track position
Hours: Part-time up to 17 hours per week
Anticipated Start Date: July 2026
Work Location: CT State Housatonic (900 Lafayette Blvd, Bridgeport, CT 06604)
Work Modality: On site; Position is not remote
Closing Date: Open until filled, with priority consideration given to applicants who submit materials by July 9. 2026.Position Summary
The Museum Educator develops, coordinates, and delivers engaging educational programs that connect diverse audiences with the museum's collections and exhibitions. This role collaborates with faculty, students, and community partners to integrate museum resources into teaching and learning, designs curriculum and public programming, leads tours, evaluates program effectiveness, maintains program documentation and database records, and supports departmental initiatives that advance the museum's educational mission.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
Under the direction of theDirector Museum of Art, the Educational Assistant - Museum Educator is responsible for effective performance in these essential duties:
Key responsibilities include:
  • Serve as point of contact for educational programs.
  • Teaches museum audiences of all ages, including our community college students, K-12 audiences, and adult learners.
  • Develops and executes public programs for displays and special exhibitions at the Housatonic Museum of Art
  • Develop written curriculum, lesson plans, and educator resources aligned to exhibition content and audience learning goals.
  • Conduct program evaluation and assessment, including collecting attendance data, visitor feedback, and learning outcomes to inform future programming.
  • Assist with keeping documentation and records of events, including RSVP, sign-in sheets, photography, etc.
  • Work with faculty, students, and staff to incorporate collections, exhibitions, and programs into teaching and learning across the curriculum.
  • Design, organize, and conduct tours of special exhibitions and the permanent collection.
  • Maintain, update, and reconcile database contact information for HMA mailing lists.
  • Supports additional initiatives and project as assigned by the HMA Director and/or Collections Manager.
  • Other duties as assigned

This posting outlines qualifications, experience, and skills but is not limited to the full specifications in the official job description.
Minimum Qualifications
Master's degree or higher in art, art history, museum studies, curatorial studies, or a related field, with three (3) or more years of experience in curation, museum education, arts programming, or collections management, or an equivalent combination of relevant education and work experience.
Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
  • Proven track record of conceptualizing and executing educational events and/or programs for an art museum.
  • Confidence teaching art from different time periods and geographic locations to a range of audiences.
  • Familiarity with object-based and inquiry-based teaching practices and the ability to apply them across audiences of all ages and abilities.
  • Ability to plan, coordinate, and advance multiple concurrent projects, balancing short-term deadline with long-term goals
  • Familiarity with program evaluation methods, including data collection, visitor surveys, and outcome tracking.
  • Ability to work effectively with individuals from diverse academic, socioeconomic, cultural, and ethnic backgrounds, including individuals with disabilities
  • Excellent interpersonal, oral, and written communication skills
  • Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, Teams)
Preferred Qualifications
  • Experience working at an academic art museum.
  • Experience teaching or developing educational events for a community college audience
  • Experience contributing to grant reporting or institutional assessment initiatives.
  • Experience working with multilingual learners or audiences with diverse learning needs.
Salary
  • $52.35 hourly

For more information, visit: CSCU - Human Resources - Future Employees.
Application Instructions
To apply, please submit the following:
  • A cover letter
  • A current resume

In your cover letter, you must clearly address how your experience and skills align with each of the required and preferred qualifications. The cover letter may be entered as text in the application system or uploaded as a single combined file with the resume.
Important Notes:
  • Incomplete applications or those submitted after the closing date will not be considered
  • Links to external resume or profile sites will not be accepted
  • Apply online at: www.ct.edu/hr/jobs
  • CT State Community College cannot sponsor work visas.
  • Applicants must be authorized to work full-time in the United States
Background Screening
Employment offers are contingent upon:
  • Proof of eligibility to work under the Immigration Reform and Control Act (IRCA)
  • Successful completion of a background check, including granting permission to contact current and previous employers for verification, reference checks, criminal history, and, when applicable, credit or driving history checks

CT State is committed to maintaining a safe campus community.
Equity Statement
Connecticut State Community College commits to bold and disruptive change by actively identifying, naming, and dismantling structural racism, systemic poverty, and other barriers; establishing equitable and anti-racist policies and practices; and empowering students, faculty, staff, and administrators to advance racial, social, and economic justice. Our core collective responsibility is to continuously assess practices and policies and transform the world we live in by eliminating inequities.
Continuing Notice of Nondiscrimination
CT State Community College does not discriminate on the basis of age, ancestry, color, national origin, gender identity or expression, genetic information, learning disability, marital status, intellectual disability, physical disability (including but not limited to blindness), present or past history of mental disability, prior criminal record, race, religious creed, sex (including pregnancy and sexual harassment), sexual orientation, retaliation for previously opposed discrimination or coercion, veteran status, victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, and/or trafficking or any other federal or state protected class in its employment, programs, and activities, unless the provisions of Section 46a-80(b) or 46a-81(b) of the Connecticut General Statutes are controlling or there are bona fide occupational qualifications excluding persons in one of the above protected groups.
For information regarding the nondiscrimination, disability, and Title IX policies/procedures, contact: Nicholas D'Agostino, Director of Equity and Civil Rights, CT State Community College, 185 Main Street, New Britain, CT 06051, 860-612-7075 or [email protected].
CSCC IS AN AFFIRMATIVE ACTION/EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER.