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Museum Collections Assistant Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Victoria College

Collections Intern

Victoria, TX · On-site

$15/hr

In 2009, the Museum of the Coastal Bend achieved Certified Curatorial Facility status, a ... Notify and assist Exhibits and Collections Manager to fix any discrepancies * Create condition ...

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How much do museum collections assistant jobs pay per hour?

As of Jun 4, 2026, the average hourly pay for museum collections assistant in the United States is $20.03, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $16.11 and $23.08 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

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

To thrive as a Museum Collections Assistant, you need a solid understanding of art history or museum studies, attention to detail, and experience handling and cataloging artifacts, often supported by a relevant degree or coursework. Familiarity with collections management systems like TMS or PastPerfect and adherence to proper conservation techniques are typically required. Strong organizational skills, teamwork, and effective communication help you coordinate with curators and other staff. These skills ensure the preservation, accurate documentation, and accessibility of museum collections, which are crucial for the institution's educational and research missions.

What are some common challenges faced by Museum Collections Assistants when managing and cataloging artifacts?

Museum Collections Assistants often encounter challenges such as handling delicate or fragile artifacts, ensuring accurate and detailed cataloging, and maintaining up-to-date records in collection management databases. Balancing the need for careful preservation with accessibility for research or exhibition can also be demanding. Additionally, assistants may need to coordinate with curators, registrars, and conservators to address storage limitations or implement new conservation protocols, requiring strong communication and organizational skills.

What are Museum Collections Assistants?

Museum Collections Assistants are professionals who help manage, document, and care for the objects and artifacts within a museum’s collection. They assist with cataloging, inventory, handling, and storing items to ensure their preservation and accessibility. These assistants often work closely with curators, conservators, and registrars, and may also help set up exhibitions and facilitate research requests. Their role is essential in maintaining the organization and integrity of the museum’s holdings.

What is the difference between Museum Collections Assistant vs Museum Curator?

AspectMuseum Collections AssistantMuseum Curator
Required CredentialsHigh school diploma or associate's degree; some roles may prefer a bachelor's in museum studies or related fieldBachelor's degree often required; master's preferred in museum studies, history, or related fields
Work EnvironmentAssist with handling, cataloging, and maintaining collections; work under supervision in museums or galleriesOversee collections, develop exhibitions, and manage staff; more administrative and decision-making responsibilities
Employer & Industry UsageCommonly employed in museums, galleries, and cultural institutions for supporting collection managementEmployed in similar settings but with higher responsibilities for curation and program development

In summary, Museum Collections Assistants focus on supporting collection handling and organization, often requiring less formal education, while Museum Curators have broader responsibilities including developing exhibitions and managing collections, typically requiring advanced degrees and experience.

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Museum Collections Assistant jobs near you
Infographic showing various Museum Collections Assistant job openings in the United States as of May 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% Locum Tenens, 7% Full Time, 88% Part Time, 3% Temporary, and 1% Contract. Highlights an 98% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 1% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $41,672 per year, or $20 per hour.
UAB Libraries-Curator of Collection Stewardship-Alabama Museum of the Health Sciences

UAB Libraries-Curator of Collection Stewardship-Alabama Museum of the Health Sciences

The University of Alabama at Birmingham

Birmingham, AL

Full-time

Posted 26 days ago

University Of Alabama At Birmingham rating

7.7

Company rating: 7.7 out of 10

Based on 43 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

213th of 532 rated colleges and universities

Job description

Position Information
School/College UAB Libraries Title UAB Libraries-Curator of Collection Stewardship-Alabama Museum of the Health Sciences Assignment Category Full-Time Rank Open Rank Tenure Status Non-Tenure Track Payroll Status Faculty 12 Job Description
This position is responsible for the strategic planning and implementation of stewardship on both a macro and micro level of the Alabama Museum of the Health Sciences collection and the collections stewardship of the Dennis G. Pappas Historical Collections gallery. This position is also responsible at a macro level for the planning and implementation of collections stewardship practices that impact collaboratively the Historical Collections department in both storage and exhibition spaces. This position coordinates and liaises with key departments across campus for the health and safety of the collection and all human interaction with the collection, as well as for its ethical stewardship.

About the Museum
The Alabama Museum of the Health Sciences at the University of Alabama at Birmingham is dedicated to the preservation and display of equipment, instruments, and objects that represent the history and development of the health sciences in the areas of education, research, and practice in the United States, with a special emphasis on the state of Alabama and its contributors to the practice of medicine. The scope of the 16,000+ object collection includes, but is not limited to, the fields of medicine, nursing, ophthalmology, dentistry, public health, and allied health.
Primary Responsibilities:
  • Strategic development and implementation of collections stewardship practices for the AMHS Collection, as well as for exhibition and other collaborative spaces with other Historical Collections departments
  • Maintains and implements museum standards and ethics with regards to Collection Stewardship for the AMHS collection and acquisitions including but not limited to registrarial processes, safe and ethical storage, research of proper storage methods and materials, all collection associated paperwork, and processing gifts and purchases for the collection. Maintains a safe, clean, and organized work and collection storage space as required.
  • Remains current on best practices and ethics regarding museum collections stewardship including guidelines on best practices developed by the American Alliance of Museums and the Association of Academic Museums and Galleries.
  • In conjunction with the AMHS Curator, coordination and implementation of the AMHS Collections Management Committee, as well as any sub-committees or Collections related committees.
  • Develops, maintains, and implements collections stewardship policies and practices for the AMHS collection and works with the Historical Collections department to write and maintain policies that impact collaborative collections stewardship, such as environmental control and pest control of all shared spaces.
  • Create and/or liaise in teaching on and off-campus with regards to collections stewardship and museum studies presentations as applicable.
  • Coordinates, in conjunction with the AMHS curator, research requests as well as manages off-site loans of the AMHS Collections.
  • Collaborative review and/or creation of social media and other PR projects with regards to the collection.
  • Foster and maintain connections with other collections and museum collections on campus for collaboration.
  • Plan, implement, and oversee collection moves, organization, and inventory. Perform condition reports on collection objects and monitor the condition of objects while on display for AMHS and other Historical Collections objects.
  • Assist and support exhibition development and installation for all Historical Collections exhibition spaces.
  • Assist AMHS Curator with management of all exhibition spaces including supervision of student workers and interns as needed in the Dennis G. Pappas Historical Collections Gallery.
  • Management of AMHS collections interns.
  • Participate in professional service and scholarship activities

Required Qualifications
  • A master's degree in Museum Studies
  • Minimum three years' experience in museum collections stewardship
  • Knowledge and experience in museum collections with hand-on object handling and collections management experience
  • Experience with standard museum procedures and ethical stewardship in managing museum collections and exhibition spaces
  • 1-2 years managing a large pharmaceutical collection with controlled substances
  • 1-2 years managing a collection containing human remains
  • Experience with Collector Systems or other similar cloud-based museum collections management software
  • Strong organizational skills with proven success in independently prioritizing a variety of projects and managing deadlines.
  • Strong attention to detail, creative problem solver who is adaptable
  • Ability and drive to take part in the larger collections management and museum community
  • Ability to work collaboratively and foster a positive and cooperative work environment
  • Must be able to lift and move instruments and objects in the museum collections.

Preferred Qualifications
  • Experience working with historical, medical, health-related, or natural history collections.
  • Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to collaborate and work effectively and flexibly within and across boundaries in a diverse organization.
  • Experience supervising employees or students.

Posting Detail Information
Posting Number F2826P Open Date 04/10/2026 Close Date Open Until Filled Yes Nondiscrimination Statement
UAB is an Equal Employment/Equal Educational Opportunity Institution dedicated to providing equal opportunities and equal access to all individuals regardless of race, color, religion, ethnic or national origin, sex (including pregnancy), genetic information, age, disability, religion, and veteran's status. As required by Title IX, UAB prohibits sex discrimination in any education program or activity that it operates. Individuals may report concerns or questions to UAB's Assistant Vice President and Senior Title IX Coordinator. The Title IX notice of nondiscrimination is located at uab.edu/titleix.
Special Instructions to Applicants Pre-employment Background Check
A pre-employment background check investigation is performed on candidates selected for employment.
Drug/Nicotine Screen (if applicable) About University of Alabama at Birmingham
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About University of Alabama at Birmingham

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The University of Alabama at Birmingham is the heartbeat of Birmingham and an integral medical leader in the Southeast. The Birmingham campus is within walking distance of some of the best parks, entertainment, and dining in the region. UAB's three regional campuses expand their academic reach and responsibilities in addition to educating physicians in rural and underserved areas of the state. UAB is experiencing major and sustained investment and growth, due both to its exceptional research faculty and its culture of collaboration. Through concerted and strategic investments in its clinical and research enterprise, UAB has undergone an amazing transformation in the past five years and has strengthened its status and reputation as a leader in medical training, biomedical discovery, innovation, and patient care.

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Colleges, universities, and professional schools

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10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

Birmingham, AL, US

Year founded

1859

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