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Museum Assistant Jobs in Springfield, MA (NOW HIRING)

Smith College

Museum Shop Assistant

Northampton, MA · On-site

$17.50 - $18/hr

Department Museum of Art Summary The Museum Shop Assistant enhances the visitor experience at SCMA by providing exceptional customer service and helping create an inclusive, welcoming environment.

Smith College

Museum Shop Assistant

Northampton, MA

$17.50 - $18/hr

DepartmentMuseum of Art Summary The Museum Shop Assistant enhances the visitor experience at SCMA by providing exceptional customer service and helping create an inclusive, welcoming environment.

Smith College

Museum Shop Assistant

Northampton, MA · On-site

$17.50 - $18/hr

DepartmentMuseum of Art Summary The Museum Shop Assistant enhances the visitor experience at SCMA by providing exceptional customer service and helping create an inclusive, welcoming environment.

Smith College

Collections Registrar

Northampton, MA · On-site

$52K - $71K/yr

Department Museum of Art Job Summary As a member of the Collections Management team at the Smith ... Exhibitions (10%): * Assist with logistics, paperwork, condition reporting, and installation ...

Smith College

Collections Registrar

Northampton, MA · On-site

$52K - $71K/yr

The Associate Registrar holds primary responsibility for the administration of the museum ... Exhibitions (10%): * Assist with logistics, paperwork, condition reporting, and installation ...

Smith College

Collections Registrar

Northampton, MA

$52K - $71K/yr

The Associate Registrar holds primary responsibility for the administration of the museum ... Exhibitions (10%): * Assist with logistics, paperwork, condition reporting, and installation ...

Old Sturbridge, Inc.

Be Seen First

General Maintenance Technician

Sturbridge, MA · On-site

$15 - $18/hr

About Us Old Sturbridge Village is the largest outdoor history museum in the Northeast, spanning ... Clean HVAC equipment, replace filters, and install belts * Assist licensed contractors and in-house ...

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Museum Assistant information

See Springfield, MA salary details

$12

$21

$50

How much do museum assistant jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 5, 2026, the average hourly pay for museum assistant in Springfield, MA is $21.07, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $15.58 and $20.58 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 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 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 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 museum studies, history, or related fields. Good communication skills, attention to detail, and basic knowledge of museum operations or customer service are also important. Relevant experience or certifications in areas like first aid or security can be advantageous.

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?

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 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. Candidates typically 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 or seasonal availability.
More about Museum Assistant jobs
What are the most commonly searched types of Museum jobs in Springfield, MA? The most popular types of Museum jobs in Springfield, MA are:
What are popular job titles related to Museum Assistant jobs in Springfield, MA? For Museum Assistant jobs in Springfield, MA, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Museum Assistant jobs in Springfield, MA look for? The top searched job categories for Museum Assistant jobs in Springfield, MA are:
What cities near Springfield, MA are hiring for Museum Assistant jobs? Cities near Springfield, MA with the most Museum Assistant job openings:
Museum Assistant jobs near you
Infographic showing various Museum Assistant job openings in Springfield, MA as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 80% Full Time, and 20% Part Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $43,833 per year, or $21.1 per hour.

Museum Shop Assistant

Smith College

Northampton, MA • On-site

$17.50 - $18/hr

Part-time

Posted 19 days ago

Smith College rating

8.2

Company rating: 8.2 out of 10

Based on 11 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

138th of 614 rated colleges and universities

Job description

If you have any questions about the position or our application process, reach out to us at recruiting-u@smith.edu.
Department
Museum of Art
Job Description
Summary
The Museum Shop Assistant enhances the visitor experience at SCMA by providing exceptional customer service and helping create an inclusive, welcoming environment. Working closely with Museum Shop as well as the entire Visitor Experience staff, this role engages visitors in a friendly and positive manner while supporting the daily operations of the Museum Shop.
The ideal candidate enjoys working with people, has an interest in art and museums, and is committed to creating meaningful visitor experiences. This role has a weekly schedule of 10 hours and weekend availability is required.
*This is a casual (non-benefitted) position.
Responsibilities
  • Provide exceptional customer service and serve as an integral member of the SCMA Visitor Experience team.
  • Welcome and assist visitors in the Museum Shop by offering product recommendations, answering questions, and sharing information about merchandise, exhibitions, and museum programs.
  • Process sales using the point-of-sale (POS) system, including cash handling and daily register reconciliation.
  • Open and close the Museum Shop and operate the cash register/POS system.
  • Maintain a clean, organized, and inviting shop environment.
  • Restock merchandise and maintain attractive product displays.
  • Perform light data entry and inventory-related tasks in the POS system.
  • Support Visitor Services as needed, including greeting guests and assisting with museum admissions.

Qualifications:
  • Friendly, personable, and engaging with visitors of diverse backgrounds.
  • Strong customer service and communication skills.
  • Interest in art, museums, and visitor engagement.
  • Ability to work collaboratively as part of a team.
  • Reliable, detail-oriented, and comfortable handling cash transactions.
  • Availability to work weekends.

This is an on-site only position within the museum's operating hours (10:45-4:15 Tuesday through Sunday), as well as one Friday evening a month. Additional hours for special events and specific projects are likely and sporadic.
Please be sure to submit a cover letter, and include an answer to this prompt: What was the last gift you gave someone and why did you choose that item for that person?
**The hourly rate will be $17.50-$18.00/hour based on experience.
Position Type
Fixed Term
Please attach BOTH a current resume and a cover letter in order for your application to be considered for this position. Be sure you have provided all attachments before submitting your application.
You will NOT be able to attach additional files after you have hit the Submit button.
Review of applications will begin
July 31, 2026
About Smith College
Located in Northampton, MA, Smith College is one of the largest women's colleges in the country and is dedicated to excellence in teaching and research across the liberal arts. A faculty of outstanding scholars interact with students in small classes, as advisors, and through student-faculty research projects. The College is a member of the Five College Consortium with Amherst, Hampshire and Mt. Holyoke Colleges, and the University of Massachusetts Amherst. Students cross-enroll and faculty cross-teach across the Five Colleges.
Consistent with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and Massachusetts General Law, Chapter 151B, it is the policy of Smith College to provide reasonable accommodation when requested by a qualified applicant or employee with a disability, unless such accommodation would cause an undue hardship. The policy regarding requests for reasonable accommodation applies to all aspects of employment, including the application process. If reasonable accommodation is needed, please contact our recruiting team at recruiting-u@smith.edu.
As set forth in our mission and values, Smith College is committed to promoting a culture of equity and inclusion among students, staff and faculty. The College will not discriminate in employment on the basis of age, race, color, ethnicity, national origin, creed, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy, genetic information, age, veteran status, physical or mental disability, or any other classification protected by law. Smith College is an equal opportunity employer and complies with all state and federal laws that prohibit discrimination.

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