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Museum Assistant Jobs in Kentucky (NOW HIRING)

University of Kentucky

Museum Assistant

Lexington, KY · On-site

$12/hr

Posting Details Posting Details Job Title Museum Assistant Requisition Number DU13416 Department Name 8X500:Art Museum Work Location Lexington, KY Salary Range $12.00/hour Type of Position Student ...

University of Kentucky

Museum Assistant

Lexington, KY

$12/hr

Posting Details Job Title Museum Assistant Requisition Number DU13416 Department Name 8X500:Art Museum Work Location Lexington, KY Salary Range $12.00/hour Type of Position Student Position Time ...

Shaker Village

Museum Intern

Harrodsburg, KY · On-site

$1.5K/wk

Position: Museum Intern (fall 2026) Status: Full-time (40 hours/week) for 10 weeks To Apply ... assist with other special events (such as the annual Harvest Fest). This internship is a career ...

Speed Art Museum

Private Events Intern

Louisville, KY · On-site

$13/hr

On occasion, I act as an event greeter and be the onsite museum representative at events. * Assist in the coordination of event logistics including but not limited to scheduling and communicating ...

Speed Art Museum

Private Events Intern

Louisville, KY · On-site

$13/hr

On occasion, I act as an event greeter and be the onsite museum representative at events. * Assist in the coordination of event logistics including but not limited to scheduling and communicating ...

21c Museum Hotels

Art Handler

Louisville, KY

... entire museum team, the Art Handler acts as a custodian for collection and loaned objects. Under the directive of the Registrar and Collections Manager, the Art Handler may also assist with ...

Kentucky Derby Museum

Front Desk Attendant

Louisville, KY · On-site

$11.50 - $15/hr

... Museum specialty tours to visitors at the Front Desk. This position will also assist in maintaining the Front Desk and Lobby areas, open and close front desk registers, follow outlined cash handling ...

Kentucky Derby Museum

Front Desk Attendant

Louisville, KY · On-site

$11.50 - $15/hr

... Museum specialty tours to visitors at the Front Desk. This position will also assist in maintaining the Front Desk and Lobby areas, open and close front desk registers, follow outlined cash handling ...

Kentucky Derby Museum

Front Desk Attendant

Louisville, KY · On-site

$12.50 - $16/hr

... Museum specialty tours to visitors at the Front Desk. This position will also assist in maintaining the Front Desk and Lobby areas, open and close front desk registers, follow outlined cash handling ...

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Museum Assistant information

See Kentucky salary details

$10

$18

$44

How much do museum assistant jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 18, 2026, the average hourly pay for museum assistant in Kentucky is $18.37, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $13.56 and $17.93 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 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 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.

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 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.

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. Typically, candidates 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 availability or specific certifications such as a background check.

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 history, art, or related fields. Good communication skills, attention to detail, and basic knowledge of museum operations are important, and familiarity with security procedures or customer service can be beneficial.
More about Museum Assistant jobs

What are the most commonly searched types of Museum jobs in Kentucky?

The most popular types of Museum jobs in Kentucky are:

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For Museum Assistant jobs in Kentucky, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Museum Assistant jobs in Kentucky look for?

The top searched job categories for Museum Assistant jobs in Kentucky are:

What cities in Kentucky are hiring for Museum Assistant jobs?

Cities in Kentucky with the most Museum Assistant job openings:

Museum Assistant jobs near you
Infographic showing various Museum Assistant job openings in Kentucky as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 2% As Needed, 74% Full Time, 21% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 97% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 2% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $38,204 per year, or $18.4 per hour.

Museum Assistant

University of Kentucky

Lexington, KY • On-site

$12/hr

Full-time, Part-time

Re-posted 20 days ago

University Of Kentucky rating

7.5

Company rating: 7.5 out of 10

Based on 132 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

312th of 618 rated colleges and universities

Job description

Posting Details
Posting Details
Job Title
Museum Assistant
Requisition Number
DU13416
Department Name
8X500:Art Museum
Work Location
Lexington, KY
Salary Range
$12.00/hour
Type of Position
Student
Position Time Status
Part-Time
Required Education
Enrolled as a UK Student
Required Related Experience
NA
Required License/Registration/Certification
NA
Physical Requirements
Lift up to 20 pounds
Shift
Wednesday - Friday 10-5, Saturday 12-5. Flexible hours; work between classes. 10-15 hours a week.
Job Summary
The UK Art Museum seeks outgoing and curious students to be part of our team. We produce numerous historical and contemporary art exhibitions throughout the year and are a destination for art lovers of all ages. Our mission is to contribute to the academic goals of UK, as well as provide unique experiences for the citizens of Lexington, Kentucky, and beyond. We are a small staff of dedicated professionals who want to mentor and empower creative individuals. Student staff members are the first point of contact for visitors, and are responsible for ensuring a safe, informative, and impactful Art Museum experience. Student staff members receive training and professional experience in many aspects of museum practices, including Visitor and Member Services, Education, Exhibitions, and more. They will have opportunities to meet visiting artists and lecturers, assist with events, and forge connections with University and community leaders. This position has the potential to boost students toward future jobs, residencies, grants, and other opportunities. Knowledge of or experience with art, art history, arts administration, or similar field of study is preferred, but only a desire to engage and learn within these subjects is required.
Job Responsibilities: Welcome visitors and introduce them to the Museum Track attendance and verify reservations Promote Museum events and membership opportunities Act as museum educators and engage visitors in critical discussions Contribute to Student Membership programming Serve as Museum ambassadors to the UK campus population Answer phone calls and visitor queries (or refer to appropriate staff) Provide protective oversight of art on view Assist with exhibition installation and de-installation Conduct gift shop transactions
Skills / Knowledge / Abilities
Must be professional, attentive, and friendly with visitors of all ages all backgrounds, and possess excellent communications skills Incisive visual literacy and interpretation ability Capable of doing curatorial research Keen attention to detail for cataloguing and archiving Hands-on skills for Installation/de-installation of art Able to engage members of the campus and community. Must be a prompt and reliable team member
Does this position have supervisory responsibilities?
No
Preferred Education/Experience
NA
Deadline to Apply
09/30/2026
Our University Community
We value the well-being of each of our employees and are dedicated to creating a healthy place for everyone to work, learn and live. In the interest of maintaining a safe and healthy environment for our students, employees, patients and visitors, the University of Kentucky is a Tobacco & Drug Free campus.
The University follows both the federal and state Constitutions as well as all applicable federal and state laws on nondiscrimination. The University provides equal opportunities for qualified persons in all aspects of institutional operations and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, ethnic origin, religion, creed, age, physical or mental disability, veteran status, uniformed service, political belief, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy, marital status, genetic information or social or economic status.
Any candidate offered a position may be required to pass pre-employment screenings as mandated by University of Kentucky Human Resources. These screenings may include a national background check and/or drug screen.

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About University of Kentucky

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

The University of Kentucky (UK), the state's flagship university, was founded in 1865 and its beautiful, sprawling campus, nestled in downtown Lexington, now covers over 900 acres and is home to more than 30,000 students and approximately 13,500 employees. The trees and beautifully manicured greenspaces are a source of pride for the university and combine to create an impressive oasis amidst the busy cityscape that surrounds it.

Industry

Colleges, universities, and professional schools

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

Lexington, KY, US

Year founded

1865

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