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Met Museum Jobs in Washington (NOW HIRING)

Smithsonian Institution

Museum Specialist

Chantilly, VA · On-site +1

$70K - $111K/yr

This position is located in the National Air and Space Museum (NASM), Preservation & Restoration ... must be met within 30 days of the job announcement closing date. See the 'Required Documents ...

Smithsonian Institution

Museum Specialist

Chantilly, VA · On-site +1

$70K - $111K/yr

This position is located in the National Air and Space Museum (NASM), Preservation & Restoration ... met by the closing date of the announcement. For information on qualification requirements, see ...

Glenstone Museum

Prep Cook

Potomac, MD

$22 - $24/hr

The museum offers visitors two dining venues, the Café and the Patio, which feature seasonal menu ... Ensuring proper food safety, sanitation standards are met consistently. * Receiving, loading and ...

Glenstone Museum

3rd Shift Security Supervisor

Potomac, MD · On-site

$52 - $78/hr

Opened in 2006 and expanded in 2018, the museum welcomes visitors to a unique experience of indoor ... Execute the established security protocols and verify policy and procedure standards are being met.

Grammy

Intern, Advocacy & Public Policy

Washington, DC · On-site

$17 - $22.75/hr

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to ... GRAMMY MUSEUM Established in 2008 as a partnership between the Recording Academy and AEG, the ...

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Met Museum information

See Washington salary details

$35.7K

$50.1K

$63.4K

How much do met museum jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 6, 2026, the average yearly pay for met museum in Washington is $50,055.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $43,600.00 and $54,900.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are Met Museum jobs?

Met Museum jobs refer to the various employment opportunities available at The Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City. These roles span departments such as curatorial, education, conservation, visitor services, administration, marketing, and security, among others. Employees at the Met work to preserve and showcase the museum's vast art collection, engage the public, and support the institution's mission of art education and cultural enrichment. Positions can range from entry-level to specialized roles requiring advanced degrees or experience in the arts and museum studies.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive at the Met Museum?

To thrive as a professional at the Met Museum, you generally need a relevant degree in art history, museum studies, or a related field, along with experience in collections management or curation. Familiarity with collection management systems, digital cataloging tools, and sometimes conservation techniques is typically required. Strong communication, attention to detail, and collaborative skills set exceptional candidates apart in this prestigious environment. These skills ensure the preservation, interpretation, and accessibility of world-class art collections while fostering public engagement and institutional excellence.

What are some common challenges faced by employees working at the Met Museum, and how can they be addressed?

Employees at the Met Museum often navigate the challenges of working in a large, fast-paced institution with a diverse range of visitors and departments. Balancing the needs of the public, protecting valuable art, and coordinating with curators, educators, and security teams can be demanding. Effective communication, flexibility, and a proactive approach to problem-solving are key to overcoming these challenges. The museum provides training and support to help staff adapt and thrive, encouraging collaboration across departments to ensure a positive experience for both employees and visitors.

What is the difference between Met Museum vs Curator?

AspectMet MuseumCurator
Required CredentialsBachelor's or Master's in Art History, Museum Studies, or related fieldsTypically a Master's or PhD in Art History or related discipline
Work EnvironmentMuseum galleries, offices, conservation labsMuseum galleries, research, collection management
Employer & IndustryMajor museums, cultural institutionsMuseums, galleries, cultural organizations
Common Search/ComparisonPeople compare roles related to museum operations and collectionsRoles focused on collection curation and research

The Met Museum is a large cultural institution that employs various roles, including curators. A curator specializes in managing collections, conducting research, and developing exhibitions. While the Met Museum encompasses many departments, a curator's role is focused on the intellectual and preservation aspects of collections, often requiring advanced degrees. Understanding the difference helps job seekers identify whether they are interested in the broader museum operations or the specialized curation field.

What are popular job titles related to Met Museum jobs in Washington?

For Met Museum jobs in Washington, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Met Museum jobs in Washington look for?

The top searched job categories for Met Museum jobs in Washington are:

What cities in Washington are hiring for Met Museum jobs?

Cities in Washington with the most Met Museum job openings:

Met Museum jobs near you
Infographic showing various Met Museum job openings in Washington as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 76% Full Time, 18% Part Time, 1% Temporary, 3% Contract, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 93% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 6% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $50,055 per year, or $24.1 per hour.

Museum Specialist

Smithsonian Institution

Chantilly, VA • On-site, Remote

$70K - $111K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Life, Retirement

Posted 12 days ago

Smithsonian Institution rating

8.6

Company rating: 8.6 out of 10

Based on 25 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

2nd of 29 rated museums

Job description

Summary
The Smithsonian Institution is the world's largest museum, education, and research complex, with 21 museums and the National Zoo. This position is located in the National Air and Space Museum (NASM), Preservation & Restoration Unit (PRU). The PRU is responsible for protecting the National Collection of Aeronautics and Space Artifacts through proper and authentic preservation and restoration techniques.
More than one selection may be made from this announcement.
Learn more about this agency
Duties
Help
The Museum Specialist (Aeronautics) serves as a skilled member of the preservation/restoration team and works under the supervision of a Shop Supervisor.
In this position, you will:
  • Perform tasks of a highly technical nature in support of NASM's preservation/restoration program, primarily but not exclusively, preparing the large artifacts in the aeronautics and space history collections for movements to and from exhibit and/or artifact storage.
  • Select and applies appropriate cleaning solvents, fabrics and fungicidal materials for restoration and conservation.
  • Maintain a clear, concise and detailed report of each restoration project, often with daily entries.
  • Determine what tasks are necessary to ensure the preservation of complete aircraft and space craft that have been subjected to outdoor exposure, and storage environments that have been less than museum standards.
  • Design and construct forms, jigs, cradles, dollies and slings as needed to safely handle the artifacts during the restoration process and in preparation for the movement of the artifacts to be rigged into locations for exhibit.

Requirements
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Conditions of employment
  • Pass Pre-employment Background Investigation
  • May need to complete a Probationary Period
  • Maintain a Bank Account for Direct Deposit/Electronic Transfer
  • Males born after 12/31/59 must be registered with Selective Service
  • Must be able to lift 40 pounds unassisted
  • Must be able to walk, stand, bend and reach for long periods of time
  • Must be able to work in extreme temperatures, dust, or hazardous materials
  • Must work at heights up to 100 ft. operating from a ladder, lift or shelf
  • Must wear and properly use personal protective equipment (PPE)

Conditions of Employment
Qualification requirements, including one year time-in-grade at the next lower grade level for promotion candidates, must be met within 30 days of the job announcement closing date. See the 'Required Documents' section for additional information.
For information on qualification requirements, see Qualification Standards Handbook for General Schedule Positions viewable on OPM Website.
Qualifications
GS-9 Experience: You qualify for this position if you have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-07 level in the Federal Service. For this position, specialized experience is defined as:
  • Application of conservation, preservation or restoration techniques to technical, industrial, and/or transportation machinery or aerospace equipment
  • Documentation of project progress or completion summary
  • Ability to read and understand manuals and technical data related to this field
  • Movement and rigging of aircraft, spacecraft, and/or aerospace artifacts

Or Education: 2 full academic years of progressively higher level graduate education or master's or equivalent graduate degree related to the position.
Special Instructions for Foreign Education: If you are qualifying by education and/or you have education completed in a foreign college/university described above, it is your responsibility to provide transcripts and proof of U.S. accreditation for foreign study. For instructions on where to fax these documents, see the "Required Documents" section of this announcement.
Or a Combination: Education and experience may be combined to meet the basic qualifications; For a full explanation of this option please see the Qualification Standards. Special Instructions for Foreign Education: If you are qualifying by education and/or you have education completed in a foreign college/university described above, it is your responsibility to provide transcripts and proof of U.S. accreditation for foreign study. For instructions on where to fax these documents, see the "Required Documents" section of this announcement.
GS-11 Experience: You qualify for this position if you have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-09 level in the Federal Service. For this position, specialized experience is defined as:
  • Application of conservation, preservation or restoration techniques to industrial, and/or aerospace equipment
  • Performing projects on an independent level, including resource planning (such as materials and time estimates)
  • Movement and rigging of aircraft, spacecraft, and aerospace artifacts

Your resume must be no more than two (2) pages and should clearly demonstrate how your experience aligns with the responsibilities and specialized experience required for this position. Do not copy language directly from the vacancy announcement, as you will be deemed ineligible for consideration. Instead, provide detailed, descriptive information about your actual 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). 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.
Part-time and/or unpaid experience related to this position will be considered to determine the total number of years and months of experience. Be sure to note the number of paid or unpaid hours worked each week.
Education
See above, education can be substituted only at the GS-9 grade level. For GS-9 education substitution, unofficial transcripts in a degree field related to the position must be submitted at the time of application.
Additional information
This position is included in the bargaining unit.
Recruitment Incentive: Recruitment incentive(s) may be authorized for this position. However, approval for incentives are contingent upon various availability. If authorized, certain incentives will require the incumbent to sign a service agreement to remain in the Federal government for a certain time period.
Note: This statement does not imply nor guarantee an incentive will be offered and paid.
Selections may be made for vacancies across the Smithsonian Institution (SI). By applying to this position, you agree to allow your application and other personal information to be shared with one or more SI hiring officials for employment consideration for same/similar positions within the location(s) identified in this announcement.
Important Note:
Your resume and supporting documentation will be compared to your responses to the occupational questionnaire or other assessment tool for consistency. If a determination is made that you have rated yourself higher than is supported by your resume, you will be assigned a rating commensurate to your described experience. Your resume should provide sufficient information regarding how your education and experience relate to this position, including the major duties and qualifications criteria listed.
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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
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The Federal Government offers a comprehensive benefits package.
Please see Benefits at https://www.si.edu/OHR/benefits for a complete description.
Flexible Spending Accounts - https://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
Long Term Care Insurance - http://www.ltcfeds.com
Retirement Program - https://www.opm.gov/retirement-services/

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