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Museum Guide Jobs in Baltimore, MD (NOW HIRING)

Exhibits Manager The opportunity The Jewish Museum of Maryland (JMM) seeks an Exhibits Manager to ... Guide in the development, production, and installation of exhibit graphic elements. * Lead the ...

Exhibits Manager The opportunity The Jewish Museum of Maryland (JMM) seeks an Exhibits Manager to ... Guide in the development, production, and installation of exhibit graphic elements. * Lead the ...

Exhibits Manager

Baltimore, MD · On-site

$50K - $55K/yr

Exhibits Manager The opportunity The Jewish Museum of Maryland (JMM) seeks an Exhibits Manager to ... Guide in the development, production, and installation of exhibit graphic elements. * Lead the ...

Our STEM Educators guide students (elementary, middle school and high school) through an immersive ... Teaching experience in a classroom, camp, museum, or other STEM education setting * Energetic and ...

Museum Guide information

See Baltimore, MD salary details

$5

$17

$19

How much do museum guide jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 16, 2026, the average hourly pay for museum guide in Baltimore, MD is $17.70, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $19.09 and $19.09 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 Baltimore, MD?

For Museum Guide jobs in Baltimore, MD, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Museum Guide jobs in Baltimore, MD look for?

The top searched job categories for Museum Guide jobs in Baltimore, MD are:

What cities near Baltimore, MD are hiring for Museum Guide jobs?

Cities near Baltimore, MD with the most Museum Guide job openings:

Infographic showing various Museum Guide job openings in Baltimore, MD as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 14% Internship, 72% Full Time, and 14% Part Time. Highlights an 86% In-person, and 14% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $36,824 per year, or $17.7 per hour.

Museum Specialist (General)

U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum

Bowie, MD • On-site, Remote

$70K - $91K/yr

Full-time

Posted 2 days ago

New


Job description

Summary
This position is located in the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum (USHMM), Rubenstein National Institute for Holocaust Documentation, Collections Services Division, Conservation Branch, David and Fela Shapell Collections, Conservation, and Research Center, Bowie, MD.
In this position, the Museum Specialist(Associate Collections Manager)will perform specialty work that supports Collections Management programs in preserving the Museum's holdings.
Learn more about this agency
Duties
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The United States Holocaust Memorial Museum is a federally chartered, nonpartisan institution that was created by the US Congress to serve as America's national memorial to the victims of the Holocaust and an educational institution dedicated to the history and lessons of the Holocaust. The Museum seeks to educate Americans from all 50 states and all walks of life as well as international audiences. The Museum has three areas of expertise: Holocaust remembrance, Holocaust scholarship and education, and genocide prevention.
In carrying out its important memorial and educational mission, the Museum is guided by its institutional values for our workplace: Honor the memory of the victims; carry out our work with dignity, humility, integrity and respect for others; and strive for excellence through teamwork, rigor, and a culture of continuous learning. Consistent respect for others is the foundation for trust, collegiality and inclusion.
Duties include:
Arranging/rearranging museum collections and space configuration in Museum processing and storage areas.
Assist in ensuring proper storage and climate control measures are taken to protect all Museum holdings.
Conduct the physical tracking of collections items using both electronic and manual systems, including the use of barcoding technology, to ensure locations of items are accurate for activities such as exhibition, conservation, loan, reference, digitization, photography and storage.
Create and maintain collections documentation, and hardcopy and automated records for permanent and loaned collections.
Assist curators, archivists, and other Museum personnel to enter, monitor, and track data entered in the electronic database.
Assist in establishing and implementing policies, procedures, and reference materials relating to the access, handling, and storage of the Museum's collections to ensure and enforce standard ethical and legal museum practices.
Requirements
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Conditions of employment
• On-line resumes must be submitted by 11:59pm EST of the closing date.
• You must be a suitable for Federal employment.
• You must be a U.S. citizen.
• You must be registered for Selective Service if applicable (www.sss.gov).
• Time-in-grade requirements must be met by the closing date.
• A one year probationary/trial period may be required.
• Payment of relocation expenses is not authorized.
• The USHMM is an equal opportunity employer.
• This agency provides reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities. If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process, please notify the agency. The decision granting reasonable accommodation will be on a case-by-case basis.
• As a condition of employment, all new hires must agree to direct deposit of their salary checks. Employees will have up to two (2) pay periods from the date they enter on duty to arrange for their direct deposit transaction.
• This is a Federal agency. Former employees who received a voluntary separation incentive ("buyout") must repay the full amount of it if reemployed under any type of appointment or under a personal service contract within five years after separation with a buyout.
Qualifications
Qualification requirements in the vacancy announcements are based on the U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Qualification Standards Handbook, which contains federal qualification standards. This handbook is available on the Office of Personnel Management's website located at: https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards. Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations e.g., professional; philanthropic, religious; spiritual; community, student, social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies; knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.
Basic Requirement:
Specialized Experience: You qualify for the GS-9 grade level if you possess one year of specialized experience, equivalent to the GS-7 (or equivalent) grade level in the federal government. Specialized Experience is experience directly related to the position to be filled. The specialized experience for this position is arranging or rearranging museum collections; conducting the physical tracking of collections items; creating and maintaining collection documentation; assisting in preservation activities; and assisting in arranging transportation of museum collections.
OR
Education: 2 full academic years of progressively higher-level graduate education or master's or equivalent graduate degree related to the position
OR
Combination of education and experience as listed above.
Time-in-Grade Requirements: Under competitive merit promotion procedures, any individual who is currently holding, or who has held within the previous 52 weeks, a General Schedule position under a non-temporary appointment in the competitive or excepted service, must meet "time-in-grade" requirements (have served 52 weeks at the next lower grade of the grade for which you are applying). Time-In-Grade requirements also apply to current employees applying for a Veterans Employment Opportunities Act of 1998 (VEOA) appointment. NOTE: All current or former Federal employees must provide a copy of their SF-50 (you may need to submit more than one), "Notice of Personnel Action" that indicates proof of status and time-in-grade eligibility. The SF-50 must include your position, title, series, grade, step, tenure (1 or 2), and type of service (Competitive or Excepted).
***Failure to submit required documentation will result in an ineligible rating.
Education
If this position requires proof of higher education, you must submit an unofficial transcript or a list of courses that includes the following information: name of accredited institution, grades earned, completion dates, and quarter and semester hours earned. Special Instructions for Foreign Education: Education completed in foreign colleges or universities must be evaluated in terms of equivalency to that acquired in U.S. colleges and universities. Applicants educated in whole or in part in foreign countries must submit sufficient evidence, including transcripts, to an accredited private organization for an equivalency evaluation of course work and degree. A listing of these accredited organizations can be found on the Department of Education's website. You MUST provide a copy of the letter containing the results of the equivalency evaluation with a course by course listing along with your application. Failure to provide such documentation by the closing date of the announcement will result in lost consideration.
Additional information
A complete application consists of the following:
  • Resume showing relevant experience; cover letter optional. Your resume must indicate your citizenship and if you are registered for Selective Service if you are a male born after 12/31/59. Your resume must include information about your paid and nonpaid work experience related to this position including: job title, duration of employment (mm/dd/yy - mm/dd/yy), hours per week, duties and accomplishments, salary, and your education. For work in the Federal service, please include the grade level for the position/s. Your resume may be used to validate your responses to the scored occupational questionnaire.
  • If you are a veteran with preference eligibility and you are claiming 5-points veterans' preference, you must submit a copy of your DD-214 stating disposition of discharge or character of service or other valid proof of eligibility (i.e., statement of service that shows service dates AND character of service). If you are claiming 10-point veterans' preference, you must also submit an SF-15, "Application for 10-Point Veterans' Preference" plus the proof required by that form. For more information on veterans' preference see Vet Guide
  • Active Duty Service Members You must submit a statement of discharge/certification of release or an official written document from the armed forces that certifies you are expected to be discharged or released from active duty service in the armed forces under honorable conditions no later than 120 days from the date the announcement closes. Enlisted Record Briefs and military identification do NOT qualify as official documentation. If the appropriate information is not submitted to confirm the discharge status, dates of service, etc., you will not be considered for this job opportunity under Veteran Preference procedures. To gain access to your DD-214 online please visit Military Service Record
  • Current or Former Political Appointees: The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) must authorize employment offers made to current or former political appointees. If you are currently, or have been within the last 5 years, a political Schedule A, Schedule C, Non-career SES or Presidential Appointee employee in the Executive Branch, you must disclose this information to the Human Resources Office.
  • Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP) and Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP) documentation, if applicable.

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Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.
Benefits
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A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.
Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.