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Museum Assistant Jobs in Reston, VA (NOW HIRING)

Smithsonian Institution

Museum Specialist

Landover, MD · On-site +1

$70K - $91K/yr

The National Museum of African American History and Culture is a national museum for the study and ... Facilitate the work of other NMAAHC collection units with the collection. Assist the Photo Services ...

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Museum Assistant information

See Reston, VA salary details

$12

$22

$53

How much do museum assistant jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 25, 2026, the average hourly pay for museum assistant in Reston, VA is $22.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $16.25 and $21.49 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.
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Museum Assistant jobs near you
Infographic showing various Museum Assistant job openings in Reston, VA as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 74% Full Time, 22% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 98% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 1% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $45,762 per year, or $22 per hour.

Student Museum Assistant II _Non-FWS

Washington, DC • On-site

George Washington University
Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools • 1 - 5K employees

8.4

Company rating: 8.4 out of 10

Based on 17 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

102nd of 622 rated colleges and universities

People enjoy working here

Good employer

Recommended by students

Learn more about George Washington Universityexternal

$17.25 - $21.75/hr

Other

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

Job description

Student Museum Assistant II _Non-FWS

Position Details

Fill out your application carefully and completely, including attaching the correct documents as requested. You will NOT be able to withdraw and reapply if you make a mistake.

Positions may close unexpectedly if they reach a high number of applicants. It is in your best interest to apply promptly to any positions that interest you.

If this position title includes the label On-Campus FWS or Off-Campus FWS, it is for students with a Federal Work Study (FWS) award for the current school year ONLY. Applicants to these positions will be required to verify this by attaching their FWS Program Student Statement as a required document. Do not apply unless you meet this criterion.

Position Title - Student Museum Assistant II _Non-FWS

Level of Support - Student Support II

Position Type - Non-FWS

Number of Openings - 1

Work Hours - During Standard Business Hours (M-F 8am-5pm)

Wage Per Hour - 18.80

Division/School - GW Museums

Department Name - 100372 TEXTILE MUSEUM-COLLECTIONS MGMT

Department Bio - Located on GW's campus in downtown D.C., The George Washington University Museum and The Textile Museum celebrates art, history and world cultures. Public programs and exhibitions are inspired by diverse collections of global textiles and local history. Resources for students and scholars include the peer-reviewed The Textile Museum Journal, the Cotsen Textile Traces Study Center and the Albert H. Small Center for National Capital Area Studies.

Position Specific Summary - The Collections Digital Asset Assistant will be ingesting the museum's collection photography files into its new digital asset management system, Terentia, following established guidelines and workflows. This position is located at the George Washington University Museum and Textile Museum in Foggy Bottom. Standard Position Description: Upload legacy collections photography assets into Terentia following established protocols. Upload new collection photography assets into Terentia following established protocols. Work with the digit asset management administrator to ensure a smooth, timely ingest pipeline.

Standard Position Description - The student will assist with curatorial and exhibit-related operations in a Museum or Gallery. Tasks may include: preparation of exhibit installations and pieces, assisting with creation and planning of exhibitions, construction and design of exhibition spaces; handling, maintaining, and preserving art and other artifacts; and assisting in editing and formatting documents. Special projects or other duties may be assigned related to specific departmental needs.

Professional Outcomes - Technology and Data

Required Qualifications - Some applicable educational, technical, or professional experience required, some training will be provided.

Preferred Qualifications - Graduate student in museum studies or relevant program Collections databases/DAMsystems a plus Photography interest preferred Detail-oriented, accurate with repetitive tasks Manages large digital assets, consistent filenames/folders Metadata & keywording knowledge Adobe/shared storage skills

Posting Detail Information

Job Open Date - 08/17/2026

Job Close Date - 08/28/2026

Campus Location - Foggy Bottom

Work Type Designation - In-Person

Hiring Manager Name - Joe Graf

Special Instructions Summary

EEO Statement - The university is an Equal Employment Opportunity/Affirmative Action (EEO/AA) employer committed to maintaining a nondiscriminatory, harassment–free, diverse work and education environment. The university does not unlawfully discriminate on the basis of protected characteristics or on any other basis prohibited by applicable law in any of its programs, activities, or employment practices. For more information on this policy and its purpose, please read the Equal Employment Opportunity Policy Statement.

Background Check

The student employee will: - In this position, the student will not perform any functions and/or have access to any financially, safety, or security sensitive items listed above. - Background check not required.

Documents Needed to Apply

Required Documents

  1. Resume
  2. Cover Letter

Optional Documents

George Washington University logo

About George Washington University

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

George Washington University (GWU) is not a traditional company, but an esteemed hub of higher education nestled in the heart of Washington, DC, US. Established in 1821 through an Act of Congress, fulfilling George Washington's vision of an institution in the nation's capital dedicated to educating future leaders. Within the education sector, the university provides a range of products and services, such as undergraduate degrees, graduate degrees, and various research programs across diverse disciplines. The university is guided by the core values of learning, communication, community, diversity, excellence, respect, service, and teamwork.

Industry

Colleges, universities, and professional schools and education programs administration

Company size

1,001 - 5,000 Employees

Headquarters location

Washington, DC, US

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