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Museum Assistant Jobs in Tennessee (NOW HIRING)

General Laborer - Museum Setup

Nashville, TN ยท On-site

$15.50 - $19.25/hr

Laborer - Museum Setup Position Type: Temporary / Short-Term Assignment Location: 440 Hogan Road ... The selected candidate will assist with assembling chair storage carts and relocating approximately ...

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Museum Assistant information

See Tennessee salary details

$11

$19

$46

How much do museum assistant jobs pay per hour?

As of Sep 4, 2026, the average hourly pay for museum assistant in Tennessee is $19.19, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $14.18 and $18.75 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 Tennessee?

The most popular types of Museum jobs in Tennessee are:

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

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

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

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

What cities in Tennessee are hiring for Museum Assistant jobs?

Cities in Tennessee with the most Museum Assistant job openings:

Infographic showing various Museum Assistant job openings in Tennessee as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 74% Full Time, 20% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 4% Contract. Highlights an 98% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 1% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $39,924 per year, or $19.2 per hour.

Full-time, Part-time

Re-posted 7 days ago


Job description

Museum Host (Guest Experience Team)

Dolly's Life of Many Colors Museum - Nashville, TN - Part Time and Full Time Hourly

Please Note: While we are not actively filling this position at the moment, we welcome applications on an ongoing basis. We regularly review our talent pipeline and encourage you to apply if you're interested in joining our team. If a position that matches your experience becomes available, we'll be in touch.

About the Museum

Located in downtown Nashville inside Dolly Parton's SongTeller Hotel, Dolly's Life of Many Colors Museum invites guests to step into the extraordinary story of Dolly Parton- her Smoky Mountain childhood, her music, films, philanthropy, and the values that shaped her life. Spanning more than 20,000 square feet, the museum takes visitors behind the scenes of iconic moments while celebrating the heart, humor, and generosity that define Dolly's legacy.

Every guest who walks through our doors should feel the same warmth, joy, and sense of possibility that Dolly brings to the world. Our team makes that happen.

Position Summary

Museum Hosts are the heart of the guest experience within the museum environment. They serve as welcoming guides, wayfinders, and storytellers throughout the galleries-helping create a seamless, engaging, and comfortable journey for every visitor.

Hosts ensure every guest feels seen, cared for, and excited to explore-while contributing to an environment that is safe, inclusive, and grounded in thoughtful, story-driven experiences and sound judgment in day-to-day interactions.

What You'll DoWelcome & Guest Experience
  • Greet every guest with warmth, enthusiasm, and genuine hospitality
  • Create a welcoming environment that reflects Dolly's kindness, humor, and authenticity
  • Provide clear information about exhibits, museum experiences, and amenities
  • Help guests navigate the space and ensure everyone feels comfortable and included
Ticketing & Entry
  • Assist with ticket sales and reservations
  • Answer questions about museum experiences and offerings
  • Use handheld ticket scanners or entry technology to support accurate and efficient guest entry
Gallery & Exhibit Support
  • Serve as a friendly presence throughout the museum galleries
  • Help maintain an engaging, respectful environment for exhibits
  • Share exhibit information in a way that helps bring Dolly's story to life and encourages curiosity
  • Help create a space where guests feel comfortable, respected, and free to engage at their own pace
  • Support the operation of interactive exhibits and theater experiences, including ushering guests and initiating show elements using simple digital controls
  • Follow and communicate museum guidelines such as photography and social media policies in a friendly, guest-focused way
Safety & Awareness
  • Follow museum safety and emergency procedures, helping maintain a calm and organized environment
  • Recognize when a situation requires additional support and communicate clearly with leadership
  • Support an inclusive environment by assisting guests with accessibility needs when appropriate
Events & Group Support
  • Assist with the preparation, execution, and breakdown of special events, including morning, evening, and after-hours programming as scheduled
  • Help facilitate group visits, providing orientation, wayfinding, and support for larger parties
  • Adapt to changing event needs while maintaining a calm, guest-focused presence
Operational Support
  • Assist with opening and closing procedures
  • Monitor guest flow and support overall museum operations
  • Support other Guest Experience Team roles as needed to ensure a seamless overall operation

Care of Space

  • Help maintain clean, welcoming, and guest-ready environments throughout the museum
  • Support light custodial tasks such as tidying, resetting spaces, and addressing spills or minor clean-up needs
  • Take shared responsibility for the overall presentation and care of the museum

What Makes a Great Host

We're looking for people who naturally bring warmth, kindness, and a sense of fun to their work.

Ideal candidates:

  • Enjoy connecting with people from around the world
  • Are energized by creating memorable guest experiences
  • Take pride in representing Dolly's values of generosity, authenticity, and positivity
  • Help create an environment where every guest feels safe, welcomed, and included
  • Are thoughtful and balanced in how they support both guests and the team
  • Communicate clearly and kindly with guests and teammates

Qualifications

  • Previous customer service, hospitality, retail, or museum experience preferred
  • Strong interpersonal and communication skills
  • Comfortable working in a fast-paced guest environment
  • Ability to stand and move throughout the museum for extended periods
  • Availability for weekends, holidays, and peak tourism periods
  • Comfortable working flexible hours for special events including evenings and weekends
Why Join Us

Working at Dolly's Life of Many Colors Museum means helping bring an extraordinary story to life for visitors from around the world. Every day is an opportunity to share joy, inspire curiosity, and make someone's visit unforgettable.

If you believe in treating people with kindness, celebrating creativity, and spreading a little sparkle wherever you go-you'll fit right in.

A Shared Purpose

Whether in the galleries or in retail, every Host is part of the same story. We meet our guests at different moments in their visit-but we share one purpose:

We inspire joy by bringing Dolly's genuine spirit to everyone.

Employment Type: OTHER