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Museum Conservation Internship Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Socket.dev

$110 - $115/hr

... museum or library setting. They will bring proven experience in exhibition preparation and ... This role works with the Conservation team to oversee Conservation interns and fellows, ensuring ...

New

Folger

$110K - $115K/yr

... museum or library setting. They will bring proven experience in exhibition preparation and ... This role works with the Conservation team to oversee Conservation interns and fellows, ensuring ...

New

Washington University of St. Louis

Supervises part-time student assistants, vendors, contractors, and interns. Primary Duties ... conservation-related information. * Undertakes cataloging and condition reporting of collection ...

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How much do museum conservation internship jobs pay per hour?

As of Sep 5, 2026, the average hourly pay for museum conservation internship in the United States is $15.54, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $12.50 and $17.55 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a museum conservation internship?

A Museum Conservation Internship is a temporary, hands-on work experience for students or early-career professionals interested in the preservation and restoration of cultural heritage objects. Interns typically work under the guidance of experienced conservators, learning about various conservation techniques, documentation, preventive care, and ethical considerations in the field. The internship provides valuable exposure to museum environments and helps build the practical skills necessary for a career in conservation. Duties may include assisting with condition assessments, treatments, research, and educational outreach. These internships are often offered by museums, galleries, or cultural institutions and may be paid or unpaid.

What kinds of projects and responsibilities can I expect during a museum conservation internship?

As a Museum Conservation Intern, you can expect to work closely with conservators on the examination, documentation, and treatment of artifacts or artworks. Typical tasks may include assisting with condition assessments, conducting research on materials and techniques, documenting conservation processes, and participating in preventive care such as monitoring environmental conditions. Interns often collaborate with curators, registrars, and exhibition teams, gaining exposure to both hands-on treatment and the broader context of collection care. This experience provides valuable insight into the daily challenges of preserving cultural heritage and builds foundational skills for a career in conservation.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a museum conservation intern, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Museum Conservation Intern, you need a foundational understanding of art history, chemistry, and conservation principles, often supported by relevant coursework or a related degree. Familiarity with conservation tools, documentation software, and environmental monitoring systems is typically expected. Attention to detail, patience, and strong communication skills help interns collaborate with conservators and handle delicate artifacts responsibly. These skills ensure the preservation of cultural heritage and the integrity of museum collections for future generations.

What is the difference between Museum Conservation Internship vs Museum Curator?

AspectMuseum Conservation InternshipMuseum Curator
Required CredentialsTypically pursuing or holding a conservation, art history, or related degreeUsually requires a master's degree in museum studies, art history, or related field
Work EnvironmentHands-on conservation labs, museums, and storage areasExhibition planning, collection management, and public engagement spaces
Employer & Industry UsageInternships offered by museums, galleries, and conservation labsMuseums, cultural institutions, and galleries

The Museum Conservation Internship focuses on developing practical conservation skills in a hands-on environment, often for students or early-career professionals. In contrast, a Museum Curator oversees collections, exhibitions, and educational programs, typically requiring advanced degrees and more experience. Both roles are essential in museums but serve different functions within the industry.

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Museum Conservation Internship jobs near you
Infographic showing various Museum Conservation Internship job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 12% Internship, 58% Full Time, 27% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 85% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 13% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $32,333 per year, or $15.5 per hour.

Paleontology Intern | San Diego Natural History Museum

e-Active B.V.

San Diego, CA • On-site

$20/hr

Other

Posted 4 days ago

Job description

Paleontology Intern | San Diego Natural History Museum

Love nature?Then you're going to love The Nat.

The San Diego Natural History Museum (The Nat) was founded by local naturalists in 1874 and has played a major role over the years in regional conversation efforts. The Museum recently celebrated its 150th anniversary and completed a strategicplan focused on encouraging a love for nature, leveraging science and collections for conservation, and using our own voice to behere for nature.

Jacobs Center for Science and Conservation Internship Program:

The Nat's Jacobs Center for Science and Conservation offers several externally funded internships that provide training and mentoring in curation, imaging, databasing protocols, and collections- based research to students, to prepare them for continued advancement in the natural sciences, which can translate to career pathways in academia and research, as well as environmental consulting. Within the Center, the Paleontology Department has an opening for a part-time, temporaryPaleontology Intern.

About the Department of Paleontology:

The Department of Paleontology specializes in the growth, management, and research use of the Museum's fossil collection and its supporting documentation. The department also provides information about the paleontology and geology of the southern California and Baja California region to all interested parties, including Museum members, citizen scientists, members of the media, and the general public. For more information about the Department of Paleontology, please visitwww.sdnhm.org/science/paleontology .

Paleontology Internship Opportunity:

Applications are invited for several paid undergraduate student internship positions in the Department of Paleontology. This is the sixth year of this immersive internship program aimed at providing undergraduate students with Museum-based experience in fossil identification, curation, and collection management.

Examples of curation tasks to be taught as part of the internship include: microscopic "picking" of wet-screened sediment concentrate for micro-invertebrate and micro-vertebrate fossils; general sorting and taxonomic identification of invertebrate and vertebrate fossils; organizing sorted fossils into individual species lots and placing in archival specimen unit trays, plastic vials, glass vials, and/or gel capsules; entering or updating collection locality and specimen identification information into the SDNHM Paleontology Collection Database; writing locality and specimen tracking numbers on catalogued fossils; placing organized, trayed, catalogued, and numbered fossils into steel drawers and storage cabinets; photographing specimens for curation and research purposes; and participating in a general inventory and reorganization of the SDNHM Paleontology Collection.

Examples of fossil specimen projects to be worked on as part of the internship include: late Pleistocene terrestrial and marine microvertebrate fossils from coastal southern California; early Pleistocene terrestrial macrovertebrate fossils from inland southern California; late Pliocene and late Miocene marine invertebrate and vertebrate fossils from coastal and inland southern California; middle Eocene terrestrial vertebrate fossils from coastal southern California; late Cretaceous marine invertebrate fossils from coastal and inland southern California.

Qualifications:

  • Interest in natural history, paleontology, and/or geology
  • Technology skills

Eligibility:Applicants must…

  • Be a student in the final 2 (two) years of an earth science and/or evolutionary biology undergraduate degree program or a very recent graduate of such a program.
  • Live in San Diego County or be willing to commute.
  • A special emphasis is placed on recruiting students in San Diego County who are members of groups underrepresented in STEM careers.

Time Commitment:

  • The internship program will involve up to 14 hours of work per weekover a period of approximately 24 (twenty-four) weeks

Pay: $20/hour.

Employees enjoy free admission into all of Balboa Park's museums as well as free admission to the San Diego Zoo and Safari Park. Learn more about the Museum's benefitshere .

Deadline to apply is September 30, 2026.

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