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Museum Assistant Jobs in Indiana (NOW HIRING)

City of Elkhart

Part Time Curator Assistant

Elkhart, IN · On-site

$18/hr

CITY OF ELKHART - DEPARTMENT NYCRR Museum POSITION Curator Assistant DIVISION NNYCRRM STATUS Part-time CATEGORY Hourly, $18 FLSA Non-exempt REPORTS TO Museum Coordinator DATE 2026 JOB SUMMARY ...

City of Elkhart

Part Time Curator Assistant

Elkhart, IN · On-site

$18/hr

CITY OF ELKHART - DEPARTMENT NYCRR Museum POSITION Curator Assistant DIVISION NNYCRRM STATUS Part-time CATEGORY Hourly, $18 FLSA Non-exempt REPORTS TO Museum Coordinator DATE 2026 JOB SUMMARY ...

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All JobsMuseum JobsMuseum Assistant JobsMuseum Assistant Jobs in Indiana

Museum Assistant information

See Indiana salary details

$11

$20

$48

How much do museum assistant jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 5, 2026, the average hourly pay for museum assistant in Indiana is $20.12, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $14.86 and $19.66 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a museum assistant?

Museum Assistants are support staff who help with the daily operations of a museum. Their responsibilities typically include welcoming visitors, providing information about exhibits, assisting with ticket sales, and ensuring the security and preservation of artifacts. They may also help set up displays and support educational programs or special events. Museum Assistants play a key role in creating a positive and informative experience for visitors.

What are some common challenges museum assistants face during busy exhibition periods?

During peak exhibition times, Museum Assistants often experience higher visitor volumes, making crowd management and maintaining exhibit security more challenging. Balancing the need to provide excellent customer service while ensuring artifacts are protected can require quick problem-solving and strong communication skills. Additionally, assistants may need to adapt rapidly to changes in scheduling or exhibit layouts, working closely with curators, educators, and security staff to ensure smooth operations. These periods offer valuable experience in teamwork and multitasking, which can be beneficial for career growth within museum operations.

What does a museum assistant do?

A museum assistant is one of the entry-level positions you can obtain in a museum. This position is valuable for those wanting to work their way up, career-wise, through a museum. Your duties are to perform various administrative tasks for the museum. You may monitor exhibits and provide security services when necessary. Additionally, you may help staff set up displays and events. Museum assistants also answer questions for museum visitors and conduct tours of the museum. Essentially, your responsibilities are to perform whatever task is necessary for the operation of the museum.

What qualifications do you need to work as a museum assistant?

Museum assistants typically need a high school diploma or equivalent; some positions prefer or require post-secondary education in museum studies, history, or related fields. Good communication skills, attention to detail, and basic knowledge of museum operations or customer service are also important. Relevant experience or certifications in areas like first aid or security can be advantageous.

What is the difference between Museum Assistant vs Museum Curator?

AspectMuseum AssistantMuseum Curator
Required CredentialsHigh school diploma or equivalent; some roles may prefer associate's or bachelor's degree in history, art, or related fieldsBachelor's degree often required; master's or higher in museum studies, history, or related fields preferred
Work EnvironmentAssist in daily operations, visitor services, and exhibit setup in museums or galleriesOversees collections, develops exhibits, and manages museum programs, often in larger institutions
Employer & Industry UsageCommon in museums, galleries, and cultural institutions for entry-level support rolesFound in museums, cultural institutions, and academic settings with more specialized responsibilities

The main difference between a Museum Assistant and a Museum Curator lies in their responsibilities and qualifications. Museum Assistants typically support daily operations and visitor engagement, requiring minimal formal education. In contrast, Museum Curators handle collections, exhibit development, and require advanced degrees. Both roles are essential in museum settings but differ significantly in scope and expertise.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a museum assistant?

To thrive as a Museum Assistant, you need knowledge of art, history, or cultural studies, usually backed by a relevant degree or experience in museum work. Familiarity with collection management software, point-of-sale systems, and audio-visual equipment is often required. Excellent communication, customer service, and organizational skills help you engage visitors and support museum operations. These skills are crucial for ensuring a positive visitor experience and the smooth running of daily museum activities.

Is it difficult to get a job as a museum assistant?

Securing a museum assistant position can vary depending on the location and the level of experience required. Candidates typically need good communication skills, attention to detail, and sometimes prior experience or relevant education in museum studies or related fields. Competition may be moderate, and some roles require part-time or seasonal availability.
More about Museum Assistant jobs
What are the most commonly searched types of Museum jobs in Indiana? The most popular types of Museum jobs in Indiana are:
What are popular job titles related to Museum Assistant jobs in Indiana? For Museum Assistant jobs in Indiana, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Museum Assistant jobs in Indiana look for? The top searched job categories for Museum Assistant jobs in Indiana are:
What cities in Indiana are hiring for Museum Assistant jobs? Cities in Indiana with the most Museum Assistant job openings:
Museum Assistant jobs near you
Infographic showing various Museum Assistant job openings in Indiana as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 75% Full Time, 20% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 97% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 2% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $41,857 per year, or $20.1 per hour.

Part-Time Student Archaeology Curatorial Assistant, IUMAA

Indiana University

Bloomington, IN • On-site

$16/hr

Part-time

Medical, Dental, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 6 days ago

Job description

The Indiana University Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology (IUMAA) is Indiana University's newest museum. The IUMAA takes aspects of the former Mathers Museum of World Culture and the Laboratory of Archaeology and combines them into 1 cohesive experience. With an impactful long-term vision focusing on purposeful storytelling, stewarding collections, and bringing these items to communities, the IUMAA thoughtfully houses and displays over 5 million artifacts that span a broad range of human experience. The IUMAA is accessible for research as well as teaching and is culturally connected to our broader community through partnerships with Indigenous communities, advisory boards, and other IUMAA community members.
Job Summary
The IU Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology (IUMAA) seeks a Student Archaeology Curatorial for the 2026-2027 academic year.
Department-specific Responsibilities
  • Ability to conduct research on archaeological collections and begin planning a future IUMAA museum exhibition on the Lick Creek archaeological and historical site.
  • Ability to review literature and meet with descendants of the Lick Creek community.
  • Use the information learned to begin preliminary planning for a future museum exhibition, which includes creating an outline, identifying themes, and selecting objects for display.
  • This preliminary planning will be done in collaboration with descendant community members.
Qualifications
EDUCATION
Required
  • Currently enrolled as a student at Indiana University
WORK EXPERIENCE
Required
  • 2 years in Anthropology, African American/African Diaspora studies, or related field (time spent in an academic degree program will be considered in lieu of field experience/field experience will be considered in lieu of academic degree program)
SKILLS
Required
  • Proficient communication skills
  • Maintains a high degree of professionalism
  • Demonstrates time management and priority setting skills
  • Ability to collect and analyze complex information
  • Willingness to build positive and effective relationships with community partners
  • Strong knowledge about Archaeology, Cultural Anthropology, and/or African American history in the United States
Preferred
  • Experience working with Indiana Academic Standards
  • Knowledge in museum or parks interpretation
  • Experience working in a museum, library, archive, cultural center, or similar organization
Working Conditions / Demands
This position involves sedentary work as well as periods of time moving around an office environment and outdoors. Requires the ability to effectively communicate and to operate a computer and other standard office productivity equipment.
The person in this role must have the ability to move materials weighing up to 30 pounds. Ability to perform light physical tasks related to filing, organizing records, and handling boxed materials. The person in this role must be able to perform the essential functions with or without accommodation.
Additional Information
For the Academic year of 2026/27 the IU Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology will oversee a grant-funded project designed to create community-centered archaeological and museum education content focused on the Hoosier National Forest Historical Site Lick Creek. The Lick Creek site was an early 19th-century Free African American Settlement located in Orange County, Indiana. The settlement was established by free Black settlers and Quaker allies in 1831. Although Indiana was a "free" state, and the community flourished over the years, the residents of Lick Creek eventually abandoned the settlement due to ongoing racial persecution and increasingly stringent anti-Black laws. This site is currently located in Hoosier National Forest and is managed by the U.S. Forest Service. All archaeological collections from this site are housed at the IU Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology.
Work Location
Bloomington, Indiana
This is an in-person position.
Advertised Salary
$16.00 per hour
Work Hours
Up to 10 hours per week
Work hours and days will be determined based on department needs and your class schedule availability
Museum hours are 9:00 AM-5:00 PM, Monday-Friday
Benefits Overview
For full-time staff employees, Indiana University offers a wide array of benefits including:
  • Comprehensive medical and dental insurance
  • Health savings account with generous IU contributions
  • Healthcare and dependent care flexible spending accounts
  • Basic group life insurance paid by IU
  • Voluntary supplemental life, long-term disability, critical illness, and supplemental accidental death & dismemberment insurance
  • Base retirement plan with generous IU contributions, subject to vesting
  • Voluntary supplemental retirement plan options
  • Tuition subsidy for employees and family members taking IU courses
  • 10 paid holidays plus a paid winter break each year
  • Generous paid time off plans
  • Paid leave for new parents and IU-sponsored volunteer events
  • Employee assistance program (EAP)
Learn more about our benefits by reviewing the IU Benefit Programs Brochure .
Job Classification
Career Level: Part Time Employee
FLSA: Nonexempt
Job Function: Part Time Employee
Job Family: Part Time Student Employee
Click here to learn more about Indiana University's Job Framework.
Posting Disclaimer
This posting is scheduled to close at 11:59 pm EST on the advertised Close Date. This posting may be closed at any time at the discretion of the University, but will remain open for a minimum of 5 business days. To guarantee full consideration, please submit your application within 5 business days of the Posted Date.
If you wish to include a cover letter, you may include it with your resume when uploading attachments.
Equal Employment Opportunity
Indiana University is an equal opportunity employer and provider of ADA services and prohibits discrimination in hiring. See Indiana University Notice of Non-Discrimination here which includes contact information .
Campus Safety and Security
The Annual Security and Fire Safety Report, containing policy statements, crime and fire statistics for all Indiana University campuses, is available online . You may also request a physical copy by emailing IU Public Safety at iups@iu.edu or by visiting IUPD.
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