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Museum Assistant Jobs in Minnesota (NOW HIRING)

Additionally, you will monitor and assist with museum operations, and work cross-functionally in various areas of the museum to ensure guests' needs are met and the museum is maintained to brand ...

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Museum Assistant information

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$12

$20

$49

How much do museum assistant jobs pay per hour?

As of Sep 5, 2026, the average hourly pay for museum assistant in Minnesota is $20.71, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $15.29 and $20.24 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.

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

The most popular types of Museum jobs in Minnesota are:

What are popular job titles related to Museum Assistant jobs in Minnesota?

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

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

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

What cities in Minnesota are hiring for Museum Assistant jobs?

Cities in Minnesota with the most Museum Assistant job openings:

Infographic showing various Museum Assistant job openings in Minnesota as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 75% Full Time, 17% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 6% Contract. Highlights an 98% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 1% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $43,082 per year, or $20.7 per hour.

American Museum of Asmat Art Undergraduate Assistant

University of St Thomas

Saint Paul, MN • On-site

$18/hr

Other

This job post has expired today. Applications are no longer accepted.


University Of St. Thomas (Minnesota) rating

8.1

Company rating: 8.1 out of 10

Based on 10 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

170th of 629 rated colleges and universities


Job description

OVERVIEW
JOB TITLE: American Museum of Asmat Art Undergraduate Assistant - 2 positions
LOCATION: St. Paul and Minneapolis Campuses
PAY RATE: $18.00 per hour
HOURS: 100 hours for each position (September-May)
GENERAL INFORMATION:
  • The American Museum of Asmat Art is on the second floor of the Anderson Student Center and showcases art from southwestern New Guinea (West Papua).
  • This position is for an undergraduate student with experience in Pacific art, art history, or museum studies.
  • The position is flexible, but requires some daytime availability Monday-Friday.
  • Assistant must check their email daily and promptly respond to messages from the director.

Please submit the following by September 4, 2026:
Applicants should provide their availability. (e.g. "I can work between 10-4pm on T/Th" -or- "I'm available between 10-12:30pm on W/F") as well as the following:
  • CV/Resume
  • Cover Letter

JOB SUMMARY:
  • Work with the director to develop exhibitions and museum programming.
  • Write labels and create other didactic materials for physical displays and digital projects.
  • Create content for AMAA social media platforms.
  • Conduct research on recently donated archival materials.
  • Manage and help with organizing the AMAA storage facility.
  • Assist with the processing and accessioning of new donations.
  • Assist with physical aspects of setting up and taking down exhibitions. This includes lifting, safely handling, packing, and transporting materials between the museum in St. Paul and Minneapolis storage facility.
  • Prepare art for upcoming exhibitions by conducting light preservation work such as removing dust, spider webs, and insect debris.
  • Design and create mounts for AMAA objects.
  • Photograph objects and monitor the physical condition of art on display and in storage.
  • Use Collector Systems (departmental collections database) to research and locate objects.
  • Provide quality AMAA tours and serve as a gallery attendant on rare occasions when shifts are open.
  • Develop museum programming and work with student groups on campus.

QUALIFICATIONS
Required:
  • Self-motivation, positive attitude, and interest in other cultures.
  • Ability to multitask and work on a range of projects.
  • Exceptional attention to detail and organizational skills.
  • Ability to collaborate with others.

Preferred:
  • Familiarity with Asmat culture and/or the American Museum of Asmat Art.
  • Experience handling and working with art objects.
  • Familiarity with collection management databases.

ELIGIBILITY:
To be eligible for student employment, St. Thomas students must be degree seeking at the undergraduate, graduate or doctoral levels. Students must be actively enrolled at least part-time in courses for credit. For further information on eligibility, please see the Student Employee Toolkit on One StThomas.
The University of St. Thomas is an Equal Opportunity Employer, including disability and protected veteran status.

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