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Museum Assistant Jobs in Sun Prairie, WI (NOW HIRING)

The Chazen Museum of Art seeks a front-line representative responsible for establishing the initial ... Visitor Services Assistants also provide support for security and other museum operations such as ...

... Assistants, and Veterinary Service Specialists, allowing them to focus on practicing high-quality ... and Madison Museum of Contemporary Art. Sports fans will also be within easy reach of Packers ...

... Assistants, and Veterinary Service Specialists, allowing them to focus on practicing high-quality ... and Madison Museum of Contemporary Art. Sports fans will also be within easy reach of Packers ...

Museum Assistant information

See Sun Prairie, WI salary details

$11

$20

$49

How much do museum assistant jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 23, 2026, the average hourly pay for museum assistant in Sun Prairie, WI is $20.58, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $15.19 and $20.10 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 job categories do people searching Museum Assistant jobs in Sun Prairie, WI look for?

The top searched job categories for Museum Assistant jobs in Sun Prairie, WI are:

What cities near Sun Prairie, WI are hiring for Museum Assistant jobs?

Cities near Sun Prairie, WI with the most Museum Assistant job openings:

Infographic showing various Museum Assistant job openings in Sun Prairie, WI as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 75% Full Time, 21% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 97% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 2% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $42,797 per year, or $20.6 per hour.

Visitor Services Assistant

University of Wisconsin-Madison

Madison, WI • On-site

$20.50/hr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 17 days ago


University Of Wisconsin-Madison rating

8.3

Company rating: 8.3 out of 10

Based on 56 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

129th of 622 rated colleges and universities


Job description

Current Employees: If you are currently employed at any of the Universities of Wisconsin, log in to Workday to apply through the internal application process.
Job Category:
University Staff
Employment Type:
Terminal (Fixed Term)
Job Profile:
Customer Service Representative
Job Summary:
The Chazen Museum of Art seeks a front-line representative responsible for establishing the initial interaction with visitors to the Chazen Museum of Art. This position will work closely with other members of staff including the Visitor Services Manager, student workers, and security officers, helping carry out the Chazen's mission by ensuring all visitors to the museum feel welcomed, supported, and informed of all museum resources available to them. Visitor Services Assistants also provide support for security and other museum operations such as exhibitions, events, and programming.
A typical day will be split between the front desk (greeting visitors, familiarizing them with the Chazen's resources and policies, answering phones, responding to visitor questions) and the collection and exhibition galleries (monitoring spaces for visitor and artwork safety, wayfinding, engaging with visitors). Throughout the day, this role will coordinate with student team members, keep in close communication with our on-site security officers, and inform the visitor services manager of any issues.
KEY DUTIES:
  • Embody excellent visitor service skills to welcome and include visitors, and to inform them of the museum's layout, collections, exhibitions, and events.
  • Monitor safety of visitors and artwork in the galleries.
  • Reinforce museum policies regarding food, bags, touching artwork, etc.
  • Communicate with security officers and other visitor services staff to ensure smooth daily operations.
  • Greet groups as they arrive and assist with stowing their belongings.
  • Submit reports to Visitor Services Manager regarding incidents, questions, and visitor issues.
  • Act as role model for student staff, including leading shadowing shifts for incoming student Visitor Services Assistants.
  • Complete regular gallery inventories.
  • Assist with opening and closing procedures as needed.
  • Provide administrative support for Visitor Services, including answering phones, restocking materials at the Visitor Services Desks, monitoring exhibition materials, entering attendance data, and assisting with museum surveys.
  • Help visitors with general Madison-related inquiries and wayfinding as needed.
  • Provide occasional staffing and logistical support for public programs.

Key Job Responsibilities:
  • Troubleshoots and resolves issues in a timely and professional manner
  • Monitors and maintains work areas and supplies to meet customer and operational needs
  • Processes customer transactions and may take payments following established policies and procedures
  • Guides and trains staff and student workers
  • Provides exceptional service, answers questions, or provides information in a specific subject area to (internal, external) (customers, donors, stakeholders) based on set material or standards
  • Organizes, distributes, and maintains relevant work unit procedures, polices, and updates to ensure accuracy and relevancy of delivered information

Department:
Chazen Museum of Art
Anticipated work week:
Tuesday through Saturday, 40 hours per week. Some weekday evenings required.
Compensation:
The starting rate for this position is $20.50/hour but is negotiable based on experience and qualifications.
This position offers a comprehensive benefits package, including generous paid time off, competitively priced health/dental/vision/life insurance, tax-advantaged savings accounts, and participation in the nationally recognized Wisconsin Retirement System (WRS) pension fund. Please review the summary of benefits for more information.
Required Qualifications:
1+ year of professional experience in customer service or similar field and/or working with visitors in a public setting.
Excellent communications skills.
Preferred Qualifications:
Experience in an arts, education, community, or non-profit setting.
A commitment to supporting the Chazen's vision and goals related to visitor experience, including knowledge of and sensitivity to multiculturalism and diversity.
The ability to interface with many different roles on campus and engage across communities and identities.
Physical Demands:
Sitting/standing
Walking
Moving tables and chairs
Pushing carts
Education:
Bachelor's degree preferred or equivalent combination of education and relevant work experience.
How to Apply:
To apply for this position, select either "I am a current employee" or "I am not a current employee" under Apply Now. You will then be prompted to upload your application materials.
Important: The application has only one attachment field. Upload the following documents in that field, either as a single combined file or as multiple files in the same upload area.
  • Cover letter
  • Resume
  • References

Contact Information:
Serena Boman, HR Generalist, hr@chancellor.wisc.edu
Institutional Statement on Diversity:
Diversity is a source of strength, creativity, and innovation for UW-Madison. We value the contributions of each person and respect the profound ways their identity, culture, background, experience, status, abilities, and opinion enrich the university community. We commit ourselves to the pursuit of excellence in teaching, research, outreach, and diversity as inextricably linked goals.
The University of Wisconsin-Madison fulfills its public mission by creating a welcoming and inclusive community for people from every background - people who as students, faculty, and staff serve Wisconsin and the world.
The University of Wisconsin-Madison is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to, including but not limited to, race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, age, pregnancy, disability, or status as a protected veteran and other bases as defined by federal regulations and UW System policies. We promote excellence by acknowledging skills and expertise from all backgrounds and encourage all qualified individuals to apply. For more information regarding applicant and employee rights and to view federal and state required postings, visit the Human Resources Workplace Poster website.
To request a disability or pregnancy-related accommodation for any step in the hiring process (e.g., application, interview, pre-employment testing, etc.), please contact the Divisional Disability Representative (DDR) in the division you are applying to. Please make your request as soon as possible to help the university respond most effectively to you.
Employment may require a criminal background check. It may also require your references to answer questions regarding misconduct, including sexual violence and sexual harassment.
The University of Wisconsin System will not reveal the identities of applicants who request confidentiality in writing, except that the identity of the successful candidate will be released. See Wis. Stat. sec. 19.36(7).
The Annual Security and Fire Safety Report contains current campus safety and disciplinary policies, crime statistics for the previous 3 calendar years, and on-campus student housing fire safety policies and fire statistics for the previous 3 calendar years. UW-Madison will provide a paper copy upon request; please contact the University of Wisconsin Police Department.

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About University of Wisconsin

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

The University of Wisconsin, based in Madison, WI, US, functions in the educational industry and is a renowned and respected institution for higher education. Its official website is wisc.edu. Established in 1848, this public research university is recognized globally for its innovative approach to education, research, creativity, and public service. It embodies a strong commitment to academic freedom and academic excellence. As a major contributor to the Wisconsin Idea, it aims to accomplish its mission of generating well-rounded individuals who will contribute substantially to society, the local community, and the global economy.

Industry

Colleges, universities, and professional schools

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

Madison, WI, US

Year founded

2005