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Museum Assistant Jobs in Reston, VA (NOW HIRING)

HILLWOOD MUSEUM

Sales Assoc.

Washington, DC · On-site

$20.14/hr

You will assist with the presentation of Hillwood's exclusive products and promote the museum's collections while ensuring an enjoyable and seamless transaction for each guest. Whether in person, via ...

International Spy Museum

SPY HIRING EXPO

Washington, DC · On-site

We are opening our Museum to job seekers; letting them mingle with staff, meet with company leaders ... Store Manager, Assistant Store Manager, Team Lead, Sales Associate Human Resources: HR Assistant ...

Museum Of The Bible

Collections Manager

Washington, DC · On-site

$65K - $70K/yr

Uphold policies and procedures and assist with developing and revising these policies and procedures. * Lead special projects as assigned. * Champion the Museum of the Bible's mission to invite all ...

Museum of the Bible

Collections Manager

Washington, DC · On-site

$65K - $70K/yr

Uphold policies and procedures and assist with developing and revising these policies and procedures. * Lead special projects as assigned. * Champion the Museum of the Bible's mission to invite all ...

Museum Of The Bible

VIP Tour Associate

Washington, DC · On-site

$65K - $75K/yr

Museum of the Bible offers a competitive salary and benefits package, including: * Paid time off ... Input and track data pertaining to VIP and donor visits into SalesForce. * Assist with special ...

KID Museum

Shop Manager

Bethesda, MD · On-site

$60K - $68K/yr

Train and mentor Museum staff in maker/shop skills essential to the fabrication of new exhibits and teaching tools. * Assist Program team members with the design and fabrication of interactives and ...

KID Museum

Shop Manager

Bethesda, MD · On-site

$60K - $68K/yr

Train and mentor Museum staff in maker/shop skills essential to the fabrication of new exhibits and teaching tools. * Assist Program team members with the design and fabrication of interactives and ...

KID Museum

Shop Manager

Bethesda, MD · On-site

$60K - $68K/yr

Train and mentor Museum staff in maker/shop skills essential to the fabrication of new exhibits and teaching tools. * Assist Program team members with the design and fabrication of interactives and ...

KID Museum

Shop Manager

Bethesda, MD

$60K - $68K/yr

Train and mentor Museum staff in maker/shop skills essential to the fabrication of new exhibits and teaching tools. * Assist Program team members with the design and fabrication of interactives and ...

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All JobsMuseum JobsMuseum Assistant JobsMuseum Assistant Jobs in Reston, VA

Museum Assistant information

See Reston, VA salary details

$12

$22

$53

How much do museum assistant jobs pay per hour?

As of Sep 15, 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.

Visitor Services Assistant

Washington, DC • On-site

HILLWOOD MUSEUM
See more jobs at HILLWOOD MUSEUMexternal

Part-time

Posted 25 days ago

Job description

Title: Visitor Assistant
Openings:  1 position
Reports To: Visitor Services Coordinator
Employment Status: Part-Time (seasonal)

With over 100,000 visitors a year, Visitor Assistants are a key-part of providing a fabulous visitor experience. Visitor Assistants help manage visitor flow, assist with wayfinding and assist groups maximizing their visitation by keeping on schedule. On a unique 24 acre campus, Visitor Assistants provide way-finding and customer service in our gardens and outdoor spaces. Daily, this role will look ahead at the groups scheduled for the day and prioritize greeting groups and buses. Moving from different entry locations, this role will work to ensure visitors can access the visitor center to start their check-in process.

This is an active role, working mostly in our outdoor garden spaces. You are comfortable on your feet for long periods of time. Must be available Saturdays and Sundays and one to two other days during the week. You are patient and passionate about the visitor experience, you don’t mind answering the same question repeatedly. You love interacting with others and have positive communication skills. You have experience working with a wide range of audiences and are welcoming to all. You can rely on your experience and judgment to make decisions in the moment, but you also know when to escalate.

This role works on-site on our campus in NW D.C. The work schedule is up to 24 hours a week including Saturday and Sunday. This position is compensated at $20.14/hr.

Primary Functions:

  • Greet bus groups as they arrive at Hillwood.
  • Assist groups who have guided tours and café reservations to assure they remain on schedule.
  • Move to various entry points where guests are arriving once the parking deck is full to direct them to check-in at the visitor center.
  • Generally float/rove the gardens to monitor visitor activities.
  • Assist with crowd control and wayfinding. Answer general questions about Hillwood for visitors.

About Us:

Hillwood Estate, Museum & Gardens is deeply committed to fostering a positive, inclusive and engaging workplace where all voices are heard and where staff and visitors of all backgrounds can be inspired by the life of our founder Marjorie Merriweather Post.

We Offer:

  • A fabulous work culture that inspires your best work.
  • Support for career development with internal and external opportunities to learn and grow.
  • Mental wellness support.
  • Discounts in the shop and Merriweather Café.
  • Free admission to the museum and festival days.
  • Casual Monday.
  • Free on-site parking.

Hillwood is seeking applicants from all backgrounds and educational levels to ensure we get the best, most creative talent on our team. We are an equal opportunity employer, and we encourage people who identify as Black, Indigenous, people of color and people with marginalized identities to apply for open positions. We strive to make the hiring process as accessible as possible. Please do not hesitate to share what will make the process best for you. We cannot guarantee all accommodations; our team will make accommodations where possible with sufficient notice.