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Museum Guide Jobs in Chicago, IL (NOW HIRING)

Cantigny

Education Manager

Wheaton, IL · On-site

$75K - $85K/yr

This role collaborates extensively with other departments, especially the First Division Museum and ... Develop facilitation guides, lesson plans, and educator toolkits. * Build and maintain a ...

ADP, Inc.

Chief Engineer

Chicago, IL · On-site

$144.65/hr

Today, the museum typically hosts close to 400,000 visitors annually and reaches millions more ... to guide staff under pressure. You possess an excellent eye for detail and the foresight to ...

Socket.dev

Chief Engineer

Chicago, IL · On-site

$59 - $84/hr

Today, the museum typically hosts close to 400,000 visitors annually and reaches millions more ... to guide staff under pressure. You possess an excellent eye for detail and the foresight to ...

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All JobsMuseum Guide JobsMuseum Guide Jobs in Chicago, IL

Museum Guide information

See Chicago, IL salary details

$5

$18

$20

How much do museum guide jobs pay per hour?

As of Sep 5, 2026, the average hourly pay for museum guide in Chicago, IL is $18.37, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $19.81 and $19.81 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

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.

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.

Are museum tour guides paid?

Museum tour guides are typically paid employees or contractors who earn wages or hourly rates for leading visitors through exhibits. Compensation varies by institution, location, and experience, and some guides may also receive tips or bonuses. Many guides need good communication skills and knowledge of the exhibits to perform their duties effectively.

How do you become a museum guide?

To become a museum guide, candidates typically need a high school diploma or equivalent and good communication skills. Relevant knowledge of the museum's exhibits, customer service experience, and sometimes a background in history or art are beneficial; some museums offer training or require certification. Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to engage visitors are essential for this role.

How to get hired as a museum guide?

To get hired as a museum guide, applicants typically need strong communication skills, a good knowledge of the museum's exhibits, and customer service experience. Many positions require a high school diploma or equivalent, and some may prefer or require familiarity with specific subjects or languages. Applying through the museum's employment portal or job boards and demonstrating enthusiasm for education and history can improve chances of hiring.
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Museum Guide jobs near you
Infographic showing various Museum Guide job openings in Chicago, IL as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 77% Full Time, 18% Part Time, and 4% Contract. Highlights an 90% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 8% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $38,207 per year, or $18.4 per hour.

Archivist and Collections Planning Specialist

National Experienced Workforce Solutions

Chicago, IL • On-site

$37/hr

Full-time

Re-posted 13 days ago

Job description

Archivist and Collections Planning SpecialistID:NPSPULL-001-003Location:ChicagoProgram:NPS
Wage/Hr:$37.00Hours/Week:25Minimum Age:55

For over 25 years, National Experienced Workforce Solutions (NEW Solutions) has specialized in connecting experienced workers (ages 55+) with full-time and part-time job opportunities that support the critical missions of Federal Agencies across the United States.

NEW Solutions connects experienced workers (ages 55+) with the National Park Service (NPS). These experienced professionals provide administrative expertise, facilities management, natural and cultural resource planning, and a broad array of other professional skills that support the National Park Service through the Experienced Services Program (ESP).

Positions listed here do not guarantee employment for any definite period. Enrollment in the Experienced Worker Programs administered by NEW Solutions is temporary. The enrollment relationship between NEW Solutions and the Enrollee is an ?at-will? relationship. This means that an Enrollee is free to terminate enrollment at any time during the enrollment period, and NEW Solutions and the Agency have the right to terminate the relationship with the Enrollee.

PLEASE NOTE: An ?Enrollee? is not a federal employee, nor an employee of NEW Solutions. An ?Enrollee? is a participant in a grant program established through a Cooperative Agreement funded by the agency and administered by NEW Solutions.

This opportunity applies to applicants legally eligible to work in the United States.

Duration

This position is funded for up to 1300 total hours.

Qualifications:

BA/BS Degree

  • Knowledge of archival research methods, historical documentation, museum collections planning, and interpretive principles and practices. Familiarity with museum cataloging, storage, exhibit planning, and collections management concepts. Ability to prepare research reports and interpretive content and communicate effectively with both staff and visitors. Experience in public history, archives, museum studies, or collections management is highly desirable.
  • Experience required with Windows, MS Word, MS Excel, MS PowerPoint, MS Teams, MS SharePoint, Adobe Acrobat
Duties:

Serves as an Archivist and Research Specialist at Pullman National Historical Park, supporting archival research, historical documentation, and museum and collections planning. Conducts research to inform interpretive programs and exhibits, assists with planning for the potential future management and interpretation of museum and archival collections within National Park Service facilities, and provides visitor center tour and interpretive support.

  • Conducts archival and historical research using primary and secondary sources to support interpretive programs, exhibits, publications, and special projects related to Pullman National Historical Park.    35%
  • Assists with museum and collections planning, including assessments, catalog review, storage and exhibit planning, and coordination related to the potential future management and interpretation of museum and archival collections within National Park Service facilities.   25%
  • Develops research summaries, historical background materials, and interpretive content for exhibits, educational materials, and digital media.    20%
  • Provides visitor center interpretive support, including conducting guided tours, staffing the visitor center, and assisting with public programs and special events.    20%

Other:
  • Physical requirements: Position primarily involves office and administrative work with occasional standing, walking, and participation in meetings, tours, and public events both indoors and outdoors. May require lifting and carrying materials or event supplies up to approximately 25 pounds. Requires effective verbal and written communication and the ability to interact with diverse audiences and stakeholders in a professional setting. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this position.

NEW Solutions is committed to promoting equal opportunity and to an environment free from discrimination and harassment in any form administering Experienced Worker Programs under cooperative agreements with federal agencies. It is NEW Solutions' policy to comply with all applicable laws that provide equal opportunity and to prohibit unlawful discrimination in enrolling participants in the federal programs.