1

Museum Guide Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Ticketing & Group Sales Coordinator

Los Angeles, CA · On-site

$20.25 - $27.75/hr

Coordinates with Visitor Experience Manager to ensure appropriate staffing for all tours, school visits, and self-guided group introductions. * Processes all donation requests. * Update museum's VIP ...

... museum operations. Responsibilities: Collaborates with and guides the Executive Team including the President & CEO and Board members and committees in developing institutional fundraising ...

... museum operations. Responsibilities: * Collaborates with and guides the Executive Team including the President & CEO and Board members and committees in developing institutional fundraising ...

Showing results 21-40

Museum Guide information

See California salary details

$5

$17

$19

How much do museum guide jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 8, 2026, the average hourly pay for museum guide in California is $17.58, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $18.99 and $18.99 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are some common challenges museum guides face when engaging diverse visitor groups?

Museum Guides often encounter groups with varying ages, backgrounds, and levels of interest, which can make it challenging to tailor tours that are engaging for everyone. Adapting communication styles, managing group dynamics, and balancing the need to convey accurate information while fostering interactive discussions are key aspects of the role. Successful guides are flexible, observant, and skilled at reading their audience to ensure a memorable and educational experience for all visitors.

What is the difference between Museum Guide vs Tour Guide?

AspectMuseum GuideTour Guide
CredentialsMay require knowledge of art, history, or specific museum certificationsOften requires general tour guiding certifications or licenses
Work EnvironmentIndoor museum settings, exhibits, galleriesVarious locations including outdoor sites, historical landmarks, city tours
Employer & IndustryMuseums, cultural institutionsTravel agencies, tour companies, historical sites
Search & Comparison IntentPeople seeking museum-specific roles or informationPeople comparing different types of guiding roles for travel or leisure

While both roles involve guiding visitors, a Museum Guide specializes in indoor museum environments, focusing on art and history exhibits, often requiring specific knowledge or certifications. A Tour Guide typically leads groups at various sites, including outdoor landmarks, and may need general guiding licenses. Understanding these differences helps job seekers find roles aligned with their interests and qualifications.

What is a museum guide?

Museum guides are professionals who provide tours and share information about exhibits, artifacts, and the overall history of a museum with visitors. They help make the museum experience educational and engaging by interpreting displays, answering questions, and sometimes offering specialized tours for different age groups or interests. Museum guides often possess in-depth knowledge of the museum’s collections and are skilled at communicating complex topics in an accessible way.

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

To thrive as a Museum Guide, you need strong knowledge of art, history, or science (depending on the museum), excellent public speaking skills, and typically at least a high school diploma or relevant coursework. Familiarity with audio-visual equipment, tour management software, and digital ticketing systems is often required. Exceptional interpersonal skills, enthusiasm, and adaptability help guides engage diverse audiences and handle unexpected situations. These skills ensure visitors have an informative, enjoyable experience and help the museum fulfill its educational mission.

Are museum tour guides paid?

Museum tour guides are typically paid employees or contractors who earn wages or hourly rates for leading tours and engaging visitors. Compensation varies depending on the museum, location, and experience, with some guides working part-time or seasonally. Many guides also receive tips from visitors, which can supplement their income.

What does it take to be a museum guide?

A museum guide typically needs strong communication skills, a good knowledge of the exhibits, and the ability to engage visitors. Relevant education may include a high school diploma or higher, and some guides pursue training or certifications in museum education or interpretation. Customer service skills and the ability to work flexible hours are also important.
What are popular job titles related to Museum Guide jobs in California? For Museum Guide jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What cities in California are hiring for Museum Guide jobs? Cities in California with the most Museum Guide job openings:
What are popular job titles related to Museum Guide jobs in CA? For Museum Guide jobs in CA, the most frequently searched job titles are:
Infographic showing various Museum Guide job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 42% Full Time, 50% Part Time, and 8% Temporary. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $36,575 per year, or $17.6 per hour.

Senior Director, Construction & Development

Museum-of-Ice-Cream

Los Angeles, CA • On-site

$160 - $200/hr

Other

Medical, Dental, Vision, PTO

Re-posted 8 days ago


Job description

Museum of Ice Cream is scaling its permanent museum footprint from five locations to ten-plus over the next three years. Los Angeles opens as our flagship. Orlando and Atlanta follow in the same calendar year. Each location is a 15,000–30,000 square foot permanent experiential venue — immersive environments, themed food and beverage, retail, and play-forward activations built to operate at high volume, day in and day out.

My role is the construction and development authority for that entire pipeline. I will transition into full ownership of the new museum opening process, build out the repeatable infrastructure, and serve as the owner’s representative across every active project. I will partner with the Head of Design and Production, who owns the creative and experiential vision, and provide the check on complexity, cost, and buildability at every stage.

This position is a construction and development leadership role, not a production or technical design role. MOIC has dedicated teams for experience design, production, and technical design; I do not manage those functions.

Responsibilities
  • Owns and manages the general contractor relationship, bid process, and contract structure on every project.
  • Drives the construction timeline from lease execution through turnover and punch list.
  • Ensures every work letter negotiation positions MOIC correctly before a lease is signed.
  • Selects and manages the GC, subcontractor, and vendor ecosystem across all active markets.
  • Coordinates with the design team from the earliest concept phase — not to constrain vision, but to price reality into it before decisions are locked.
  • Serves as the internal check on design decisions that drive cost without proportionate guest experience or brand value.
  • Finds cost‑effective construction and specification solutions that achieve the intended aesthetic and experiential effect.
  • Lead all base construction project management for new museum openings. Own the full project timeline from site handover through construction completion, FF&E installation, and punch list.
  • Manage general contractors, architects and consultants across all active projects.
  • Build and maintain integrated schedules that sequence base construction, tenant improvement, experience installation, and food and beverage fit‑out.
  • Track and manage budgets across all projects — flag cost risk early, drive value engineering decisions in partnership with the design team.
  • Partner with the real estate and legal team to ensure every work letter captures the right landlord obligations before execution.
  • Review and negotiate tenant improvement allowance structures, base building delivery conditions, and landlord work scopes.
  • Identify building issues and lease terms that create downstream construction risk — access, code compliance, MEP capacity, structural limitations.
  • Investigate and understand AHJ requirements related to department requirements, building permits, local code constraints and idiosyncrasies related to the MOIC occupancy demands.
  • Engage with the Design and Production team at the earliest stage of each project to surface buildability and cost implications.
  • Maintain a clear view of which design decisions drive meaningful guest experience or brand value and which add cost without proportionate return.
  • Bring alternative construction and specification approaches that achieve the intended effect at lower cost and with less complexity.
  • Flag curved walls, custom fabrication, non-standard materials, and specialty installations early — with real cost data attached.
  • Own the relationship between the Museum in a Pint design standard and the actual cost model for each new build.
  • Build the master construction playbook for MOIC — standardized specifications, preferred vendor lists, GC relationships by market, BOH setup protocols, and FF&E procurement guides.
  • Design the model so each new location requires localization of finishes and theming, not reinvention of layout, systems, or base construction logic and methods.
  • Document lessons learned from every opening so the next project starts smarter.
  • Create the cost model that allows leadership to underwrite new sites with confidence before a lease is signed.
  • Develop and maintain preferred GC, subcontractor, and consultant relationships in each market.
  • Run competitive bid processes that evaluate contractors on performance and experience, not just price.
  • Build relationships with specialty subcontractors relevant to MOIC’s specific build requirements: themed fabrication, specialty lighting, food and beverage equipment, play structure installation.
Must Haves
  • Bachelor’s degree in Construction Management or Masters degree in architecture, construction management highly preferred.
  • 15+ years in construction project management, with direct experience managing complex builds at the 15,000 square foot and above scale.
  • Expertise in contract administration, construction methodologies, project scheduling, permitting, and procurement.
  • Working knowledge of MEP systems, commercial F&B fit-out, health code permitting, and specialty systems integration.
  • Demonstrated ability to deliver large-format venues at $10M or greater project value on time and on budget across multiple simultaneous projects.
  • Experience negotiating work letters, tenant improvement allowances, and landlord delivery conditions.
  • Must have professional writing skills and experience managing and producing written correspondence to landlords, developers, and lease-related legal counsel.
  • Experience managing the payment application process using AIA G702 and G703 process.
  • Proficiency with project management software including Procore, MS Project, and/or Primavera.
  • Expertise in construction methodologies, project scheduling, permitting, procurement, and contract administration including the management of responses to submittals and RFIs.
  • Ability to read a set of construction documents and identify cost risk, constructability issues and evaluate different cost options to achieve design and operational intent.
  • Experience selecting and managing general contractors, running competitive bid processes, and holding GC performance accountable through punch list and closeout.
  • Excellent leadership, negotiation, and conflict resolution skills. Experience solving logistical problems and mediating conflicts on site.
Nice to Haves
  • Project Management Accreditation such as CCM.
  • Background from regional or location-based entertainment division, or experiential venue or flagship level F&B, social clubs, or amusement concept construction environments.
  • Experience with play-forward physical environments: obstacle courses, climbing structures, immersive rooms, sensory spaces, and custom themed fabrication.
  • Experience coordinating and integrating show or attraction systems such as AV, lighting control, specialty effects and interactive technology.
  • Track record of pushing back on design complexity with data — not to kill ideas, but to find the path to the effect at lower cost.
Benefits
  • Competitive pay
  • Annual bonus
  • Stock options
  • PTO and sick time
  • Medical, dental, vision
  • Perks including ClassPass, commuter discounts, employee assistance program, and unlimited ice cream
  • Employee development opportunities
  • 16 free museum tickets per year for friends and family, with free entry for self
  • 50% off retail products
  • Ability to advance within the organization.

The salary range for this role is $160,000 – $200,000 USD, dependent on experience, as well as an annual bonus and options.

Museum of Ice Cream is an equal opportunity employer and we value diversity at our company. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, marital status, veteran status, or any other status protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.

#J-18808-Ljbffr