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Museum Collections Management Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Speedway Motors

Museum Collections Specialist

Lincoln, NE

$16.25 - $22/hr

Job overview The Collections Specialist is responsible for the accurate documentation, cataloging, and management of racing cars and related artifacts as they are acquired by the Museum. This role ...

Smith College

Collections Registrar

Northampton, MA

$52K - $71K/yr

DepartmentMuseum of Art Job Summary As a member of the Collections Management team at the Smith College Museum of Art, the Associate Registrar plays a key role in the stewardship, documentation, and ...

HILLWOOD MUSEUM

Collections Intern

Washington, DC · On-site

Interested in learning about decorative arts, museum collections, and the legacy of Marjorie Merriweather Post. * Strong organizational and project management skills. * Excellent written and verbal ...

Vanderbilt University

Museum Registrar

Nashville, TN · On-site

The position develops and implements collections management standards, policies, and procedures. The Registrar also helps educate museum staff, students, and other interested parties in best ...

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Museum Collections Management information

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$12

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$30

How much do museum collections management jobs pay per hour?

As of Jul 31, 2026, the average hourly pay for museum collections management in the United States is $21.46, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $17.79 and $24.04 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

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

AspectMuseum Collections ManagementMuseum Curator
Primary FocusManaging, cataloging, and preserving museum collectionsResearching, interpreting, and developing exhibits based on collections
Required CredentialsRelevant degrees in museum studies, archaeology, or related fields; certifications in collections managementDegrees in history, archaeology, or related fields; often advanced degrees in museum studies or history
Work EnvironmentMuseums, storage facilities, conservation labsMuseums, galleries, research institutions
Employer & Industry UsageCommonly employed by museums and cultural institutions for collection careOften involved in exhibit development, research, and public education

While both roles are integral to museum operations, Museum Collections Management primarily focuses on the care, cataloging, and preservation of collections. In contrast, Museum Curators are more involved in research, exhibit development, and interpretation of collections for public engagement.

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Museum Collections Management jobs near you
Infographic showing various Museum Collections Management job openings in the United States as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 80% Full Time, 17% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 93% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 4% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $44,646 per year, or $21.5 per hour.

Part-Time Collections Manager/Collections Manager Assistant

Denison University

Granville, OH • On-site

$29/hr

Part-time

Posted 22 days ago

Job description

The Collections Manager Manages the Denison Museum Permanent Collection, which comprises ~8,000 objects from Asia, Europe, and North and Central America in various media, including stone, wood, paper, lacquer, metal, and oils. The Collections Manager leads long-range planning efforts and day-to-day activities relative to the care and stewardship of the Permanent Collection. Over the next three to five years, priorities include completing accreditation, working with external scholars on object identification and valuation, and overseeing the acquisitions and deaccession process.
Position Summary
Manage and care for the Denison Museum Permanent Collection, comprising approximately 8,000 objects from Asia, Europe, and North and Central America in a wide range of media including stone, wood, paper, lacquer, metal, textiles, ceramics, and paintings.
Working closely with the Museum Director and Curator, this position supports both the long-term stewardship of the collection and its active use in teaching, exhibitions, and research. Current institutional priorities include continued collections stewardship, accreditation preparation, collections research, acquisitions and deaccessioning, and improving public access to the collection
Essential Responsibilities
  • Identify collections priorities and assist with planning project workflows in coordination with the Museum Director and Curator.
  • Supervise and train student employees working on cataloging, rehousing, collections care, and research projects.
  • Oversee object preservation, cataloging, acquisitions, and deaccessioning activities.
  • Maintain the Museum Collections Management System (CollectorSystems preferred) and public collections interface.
  • Generate condition reports, loan agreements, deeds of gift, insurance documentation, and collections records.
  • Coordinate object handling, storage, packing, transportation, and installation following museum best practices.
  • Assist with facilities management, collections security, environmental monitoring, and risk management.
  • Respond to research inquiries, publication requests, and donor communications.
  • Collaborate with the Museum Director and Curator to prepare objects for exhibitions, teaching, and public programs.
  • Participate in grant writing, budget planning, and museum initiatives as assigned
  • Supervises student workers as needed.

Qualifications
Level of Appointment:
This position may be filled at either the Collections Manager or Collections Manager Assistant level, depending on the successful candidate's education, experience, and demonstrated qualifications. Applicants should indicate in their cover letter which level they are seeking and describe how their background aligns with that position. The search committee reserves the right to appoint the successful candidate at the level most appropriate to their qualifications.
Collections Manager
Required
  • Master's degree in Museum Studies, Art History, History, Anthropology, or a closely related field.
  • Three to five years of progressively responsible museum collections management experience preferred, or an equivalent combination of education and professional experience demonstrating the knowledge and skills required for the position.
  • Demonstrated experience with museum collections management, including registration, cataloging, object handling, preventive conservation, storage, documentation, and collections database management.
  • Experience using museum collections management software (CollectorSystems preferred).
  • Knowledge of museum standards, ethics, legal issues, and best practices related to collections stewardship.
  • Strong written, organizational, and interpersonal communication skills.
  • Experience supervising students, interns, or project teams is preferred.

Collections Manager Assistant
Required
  • Bachelor's degree in Museum Studies, Art History, History, Anthropology, or a closely related field.
  • One to three years of museum collections experience preferred, including internships, graduate assistantships, or professional positions involving collections management, registration, or collections care.
  • Demonstrated experience with object handling, cataloging, collections databases, and museum documentation.
  • Working knowledge of museum collections standards and preventive conservation principles.
  • Excellent organizational, written, and verbal communication skills.
  • Demonstrated ability to learn new systems and work collaboratively in a teaching museum environment.

Preferred
  • Master's degree in progress or completed.
  • Experience using CollectorSystems or another museum collections management system.
  • Experience supporting exhibitions, digitization projects, or collections research.
  • Experience supervising student workers or volunteers.

Pay: Up to $29.00 depending on appointment and relevant experience/education.

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