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Museum Exhibit Designer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Exhibit Designer Status: Full time, permanent Location: Ohio History Center, Columbus OH Salary ... Work experience in creating museum exhibits for cultural organizations, or customer-facing private ...

Senior Exhibition Designer

Cambridge, MA · On-site

$112K - $120K/yr

... Designer oversees all 3D and graphic exhibit design work for the HMSC exhibits department ... This position requires advanced knowledge of museum exhibit design, visual content interpretation ...

Technical Designer

Lincolnwood, IL · On-site

$25 - $34/hr

Technical Designer Reports to: Associate Director of Technical Design About Ravenswood Studio Inc ... museum exhibit, display, cabinetry / millwork, theater / opera, or themed environments. Ability to ...

Technical Designer

Lincolnwood, IL · On-site

$25 - $34/hr

Technical Designer Reports to: Associate Director of Technical Design About Ravenswood Studio Inc ... museum exhibit, display, cabinetry / millwork, theater / opera, or themed environments. Ability to ...

Technical Designer

Lincolnwood, IL · On-site

$25 - $34/hr

Technical Designer Reports to: Associate Director of Technical Design About Ravenswood Studio Inc ... museum exhibit, display, cabinetry / millwork, theater / opera, or themed environments. • Ability ...

Graphics Designer and Exhibits Preparator. * Oversees planning, design, installation, and ... Two years in museum exhibit design * One year of management and supervisory experience

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Museum Exhibit Designer information

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$41.5K

$62.3K

$94K

How much do museum exhibit designer jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 10, 2026, the average yearly pay for museum exhibit designer in the United States is $62,310.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $52,000.00 and $67,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a museum exhibit designer?

A Museum Exhibit Designer is responsible for planning, designing, and creating engaging exhibits for museums, galleries, and other cultural institutions. They collaborate with curators, educators, and designers to develop layouts, select display materials, and incorporate interactive elements to enhance visitor engagement. Their work blends art, architecture, and storytelling to present information in an accessible and visually appealing way. Exhibit designers may also oversee construction, lighting, graphics, and multimedia components to bring the exhibition to life.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a museum exhibit designer?

To thrive as a Museum Exhibit Designer, you need a strong background in design principles, art history, and spatial planning, often supported by a degree in design, museum studies, or a related field. Proficiency with design software such as Adobe Creative Suite, 3D modeling programs, and familiarity with exhibition lighting and display systems is common. Excellent communication, collaboration, and project management skills help you work effectively with curators, educators, and fabrication teams. These competencies enable you to create engaging, educational, and visually compelling exhibits that enhance visitors’ experiences.

What are some typical challenges faced by museum exhibit designers in their day-to-day work?

Museum Exhibit Designers often navigate challenges such as balancing creative vision with budget limits, working within the constraints of historical buildings, and ensuring accessibility and safety standards are met. They regularly collaborate with curators, educators, and contractors to incorporate diverse perspectives and knowledge into their designs, requiring flexibility and strong teamwork. Meeting tight deadlines and coordinating multiple stakeholder inputs can also be demanding. However, overcoming these challenges is rewarding, as it leads to the creation of inspiring exhibits that reach and educate a wide audience.

How do you become a museum exhibit designer?

To become a museum exhibit designer, individuals typically need a bachelor's degree in fields such as museum studies, fine arts, design, or a related discipline. Gaining experience through internships or entry-level positions, developing skills in graphic design, 3D modeling, and understanding exhibit construction, and building a strong portfolio are important steps in pursuing this career.

Is exhibition design a good career?

Exhibition design is a viable career for those interested in creating engaging visual displays and storytelling through physical spaces. It requires skills in design, architecture, and project management, often involving software like CAD. Job prospects depend on industry demand, experience, and the ability to collaborate with clients and institutions.

What do you need to be a museum exhibit designer?

Museum exhibit designers typically need a bachelor's degree in fields such as museum studies, fine arts, design, or architecture. Strong skills in graphic design, 3D modeling, and familiarity with design software like AutoCAD or SketchUp are important, along with experience in project management and understanding of museum curation and conservation standards.
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Infographic showing various Museum Exhibit Designer job openings in the United States as of September 2026, with employment types broken down into 2% Internship, 2% As Needed, 66% Full Time, 24% Part Time, 2% Temporary, and 4% Contract. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $62,310 per year, or $30 per hour.

Senior Museum Exhibit Designer, Box OCE-1615/27560

Albany, NY • On-site

New York State
Public Administration • 10K+ employees

$63K - $80K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 16 days ago


Key responsibilities

  • Design and develop interactive, hands-on exhibition components and learning experiences for permanent and temporary exhibitions.

  • Design and support the Museum's Kids Zone and prepare the fourth-floor spaces for traveling exhibitions, adapting layouts and coordinating requirements.

  • Collaborate with exhibit teams, outside developers, and museum professionals to create engaging, accessible, and educational visitor experiences.


New York State rating

7.7

Company rating: 7.7 out of 10

Based on 189 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz


Job description

Duties Description The New York State Education Department's (NYSED) Office of Cultural Education is seeking candidates for a Senior Museum Exhibit Designer, SG-17 position in the New York State Museum (NYSM). Under the general direction of an Associate Exhibition Planner, the Senior Museum Exhibit Designer's primary responsibility will be the design and ongoing development of the Museum's interactive exhibition environments. This includes the design and development of the "Kids Zone", a play-based learning environment for children in pre-K through 4th grade; designing and preparing the Museum's fourth floor for traveling exhibitions; and developing interactive, hands-on exhibition elements for permanent and temporary exhibitions throughout the Museum that engage visitors from elementary school age children to adults.

Working collaboratively with exhibit teams, the Senior Museum Exhibit Designer will develop designs for long-term, temporary, and traveling exhibitions while creating engaging, accessible, and educational visitor experiences. Duties of this position include, but are not limited to, the following: Design and support of the Museum's Kids Zone, creating immersive, play-based educational experiences for children of all ages; Design and prepare the Museum's fourth-floor spaces for traveling exhibitions, adapting exhibition layouts to existing spaces while coordinating facility and installation requirements; Design and develop interactive, hands-on exhibition components and learning experiences for permanent and temporary exhibitions serving audiences from 4th grade through college and adult learners; Collaborate with outside exhibition developers and lending institutions to successfully integrate traveling exhibitions into NYSM spaces; Develop exhibit designs in collaboration with museum scientists, historians, planners, graphic designers, educators, and other museum professionals; Determine the visual and experiential direction of exhibitions and assume responsibility for the design and development of three-dimensional exhibition environments; Create measured floor plans, wall elevations, exhibit furniture, case layouts, and other three-dimensional exhibit components; Work closely with the production team throughout fabrication, installation, and implementation to ensure the final exhibition accurately reflects the approved design intent. Minimum Qualifications MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: Non-Competitive: six years of experience in architecture, exhibit design/planning, industrial design, museum exhibit design involving three-dimensional designs, or museum exhibit production.

College coursework in Architecture, Exhibition Design/Planning, Fine Arts, Media Arts, Digital Media and Communication Design, Graphic Design, Interior Design, Museum Exhibit Design, or Museum Studies may be substituted for experience on a year for year basis up to a maximum of four years with 30 semester credit hours equaling one year. It is essential that candidates clearly and concisely indicate exactly how they meet the above minimum qualifications in their resume. Failure to show how you meet the minimum qualifications above may result in disqualification and removal from consideration.

Additional Comments CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT: This will be a permanent, non-competitive appointment. Candidates should be aware that changes in negotiating units may affect their salary, insurance, and other benefits. This position leads to a maximum salary of $80,655 based on annual performance advances and traineeship advances.

For new State employees appointed to graded positions, the annual salary is the hiring rate (beginning of the Salary Range) of the position. Promotion salaries are calculated by the NYS Office of the State Comptroller in accordance with NYS Civil Service Law, OSC Payroll rules and regulations and negotiated union contracts Interested in a job with New York State, but don't know where to start. Visit these links for information on working for New York State: https://www.cs.ny.gov/jobseeker/ https://www.cs.ny.gov/pio/publications/gettingajob.pdf Generous benefits of working for New York State, including, but not limited to, the following: Holiday & Paid Time Off Thirteen (13) paid holidays annually

Thirteen (13) days of paid vacation leave in year one, increasing to 20+ days with additional years of service. Five (5) days of paid personal leave annually. Thirteen (13) days of paid sick leave annually for PEF/CSEA and eight (8) days paid sick leave annually for M/C.

Annual professional leave and educational leave opportunities for eligible staff. Health Care Benefits Eligible employees and dependents can choose from a variety of affordable and generous health insurance programs. Family dental and vision benefits at no additional cost.

Additional Benefits Enrollment in the New York State pension system which has earned the distinction of being one of the best-managed and best-funded plans in the nation OR Optional Retirement Defined Contribution Plan with 8% salary match (eligibility requirements apply). NYS Deferred Compensation and an exclusive 403(b) Optional Retirement Savings Plan. Paid Parental Leave for all employees and Paid Family Leave (M/C Only).

Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF). Eligibility for various life insurance options. New York State Education Department (NYSED) is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer.

NYS Human Rights Law prohibits discrimination because of age, race, creed, color, national origin, sexual orientation, military status, sex, disability, predisposing genetic characteristics, marital status, domestic violence victim status, gender identity, prior conviction records, prior arrests, youthful offender adjudications, or sealed records. Some positions may require additional credentials or a background check to verify your identity.


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