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Museum Assistant Jobs in Silver Spring, MD (NOW HIRING)

HILLWOOD MUSEUM

Museum Security Associate

Washington, DC · On-site

$22/hr

Provides mentoring and coaching to museum assistants * Demonstrates knowledge of Hillwood's policies and procedures, collections, and gardens. * Oversees emergency evacuation of visitors * Answers ...

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 ...

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Museum Assistant information

See Silver Spring, MD salary details

$12

$21

$52

How much do museum assistant jobs pay per hour?

As of Jul 26, 2026, the average hourly pay for museum assistant in Silver Spring, MD is $21.86, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $16.15 and $21.39 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are Museum Assistants?

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 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.

How to become a museum assistant?

To become a museum assistant, candidates typically need a high school diploma or equivalent, along with good communication and organizational skills. Relevant experience in customer service or previous work in a museum or cultural setting can be beneficial. Some positions may require knowledge of museum collections or basic computer skills, and on-the-job training is often provided.

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 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.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Museum Assistant, and why are they important?

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.

Is it hard to get hired at a museum?

Getting hired as a museum assistant can be competitive, as many positions require relevant experience, good communication skills, and sometimes specific certifications or training. Applicants often need to demonstrate knowledge of museum operations, customer service, or collections management, and some roles may require part-time or flexible schedules.

What is a museum assistant?

A museum assistant is a staff member responsible for supporting daily operations in a museum, including greeting visitors, providing information, maintaining exhibits, and assisting with educational programs. They often need good communication skills, attention to detail, and may use tools like ticketing systems or exhibit guides.

What qualifications do you need to work at a museum?

Museum assistants typically need a high school diploma or equivalent, with some roles preferring post-secondary education in history, art, or related fields. Relevant skills include good communication, organization, and familiarity with museum operations or customer service; certifications are not usually required but can be beneficial.
More about Museum Assistant jobs
What are the most commonly searched types of Museum jobs in Silver Spring, MD? The most popular types of Museum jobs in Silver Spring, MD are:
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What job categories do people searching Museum Assistant jobs in Silver Spring, MD look for? The top searched job categories for Museum Assistant jobs in Silver Spring, MD are:
What cities near Silver Spring, MD are hiring for Museum Assistant jobs? Cities near Silver Spring, MD with the most Museum Assistant job openings:
Museum Assistant jobs near you
Infographic showing various Museum Assistant job openings in Silver Spring, MD as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 77% Full Time, 18% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 97% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 2% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $45,473 per year, or $21.9 per hour.

Museum Security Associate

HILLWOOD MUSEUM

Washington, DC • On-site

$22/hr

Full-time

Posted 8 days ago

Job description



Position Description

Title: Museum Security Associate

Employment Status: Full-Time

Work Schedule: Work schedule is generally 40 hours per week. Some weekend/evening/overnight hours may be required in addition to special event coverage.

Primary Functions:

  • Monitors access control using Hillwood's security software platforms.
  • Observes and evaluates situations to determine any hazards and reports any suspicious activity, injury/illness, or unusual/unsafe conditions.
  • Adheres to Hillwood's building opening and/or closing procedures including locking and unlocking and arming and disarming alarms.
  • Uses security systems such as cameras, fence alarms, key access control, and card access to provide regular surveillance.
  • Works in assigned areas such as the Front Gate, provides a gracious welcome while balancing access control.
  • Assures a positive, enjoyable visitor experience.
  • Provides special event crowd and or vehicle management.
  • Monitors the 24-acre campus, interior and exterior of campus buildings from the control room.
  • Provides mentoring and coaching to museum assistants
  • Demonstrates knowledge of Hillwood's policies and procedures, collections, and gardens.
  • Oversees emergency evacuation of visitors
  • Answers Hillwood-related and general questions Performs crowd management and wayfinding

Organizational Relationships:

  • Reports to the Head of Security.
  • Interacts with staff, volunteers, and visitors of all ages.

Knowledge:

  • Proficiency with access control, intrusion detection, fire detection/suppression, and video surveillance.
  • Experience in customer service.
  • CPR Certification, Certified First Responder, and AED Certification

Skills/AbiIities:

  • An ability to remain calm under various stressors (illness/injury, emergency evacuation, suspected or overt criminal behavior).
  • Strong observation skills.
  • A warm, empathetic, and enthusiastic communicator.
  • Flexibility, patience, and a positive outlook.
  • Commitment to, enthusiasm for, and comfort with conversing with a diverse range of people.
  • Timely and responsive in correspondence via email and phone.
  • Basic comfort level with and regular use of email and computers.
  • Demonstrates a commitment to the spirit of Hillwood's mission, vision, and interpretive messages, and keeps them at the forefront of all endeavors. Use of a radio for communications.

Work Environment:

The physical requirements and work environment characteristics described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of the job or may be encountered while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with a disability to perform the essential functions to the extent the Company may do so without undue hardship. The term "qualified individual with a disability" means an individual who with or without reasonable accommodation can perform the essential functions of the position.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to follow and give oral and written instructions; stand, walk, and/or sit for extended periods of time with limited breaks; use hands to finger, handle or feel, reach with hands and arm, and reach above shoulder height. The employee is regularly required to climb or balance, squat, kneel, and crouch. The employee is occasionally required to detect smells and lift, drag and/or move up to 50 pounds unassisted. The employee is required to visually or otherwise identify, observe and assess. Special vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus. The employee is required to move about their work area, between buildings and the campus grounds, ascend and descend stairs, and steep terrain. While performing the duties of this job the employee is subject to outdoor weather conditions and temperatures which at times can be extreme. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate and generally does not require the use of hearing protection equipment.

Notice:

The preceding job description indicates the general nature and essential duties and responsibilities of work performed by employees within this classification. It may not contain a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities, and qualifications required of employees to do this job. Nothing in this job description restricts management's right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time not does it proscribe or restrict the tasks that may be assigned. This job description is subject to change at any time.