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Museum Intern Jobs in Elgin, IL (NOW HIRING)

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Museum Intern information

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$8

$16

$23

How much do museum intern jobs pay per hour?

As of Sep 6, 2026, the average hourly pay for museum intern in Elgin, IL is $16.84, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $14.28 and $18.99 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a museum intern?

Museum interns are students or recent graduates who work temporarily at museums to gain practical experience in areas such as collections management, education, curation, or administration. They often assist with research, cataloging artifacts, preparing exhibits, or supporting public programs. Internships can be paid or unpaid and are valuable for building professional skills and networking in the museum field. These positions are typically supervised by museum staff and may be part-time or full-time, depending on the institution.

What types of projects or responsibilities can a museum intern expect to handle during their internship?

As a Museum Intern, you'll typically support a variety of projects that may include assisting with exhibit preparation, cataloging collections, conducting research, and supporting educational programs. Interns often help with event planning, visitor services, or creating digital content, depending on the museum’s size and focus. You'll likely work closely with curators, educators, and collections staff, gaining hands-on experience in both front-of-house and behind-the-scenes operations. This exposure provides valuable insight into museum careers and can help you identify specific interests within the field.

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

To thrive as a Museum Intern, you typically need a background or coursework in art history, museum studies, or a related field, along with strong research and organizational skills. Familiarity with collection management software, cataloging systems, and basic digital imaging tools is often required. Excellent communication, attention to detail, and teamwork are vital soft skills for engaging with staff, visitors, and diverse projects. These competencies ensure effective support for museum operations, educational programming, and preservation of collections.

What are the most commonly searched types of Museum jobs in Elgin, IL?

The most popular types of Museum jobs in Elgin, IL are:

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Museum Intern jobs near you

Museum Intern

Elk Grove Park District

Elk Grove Village, IL • On-site

$15/hr

Temporary

Re-posted 9 days ago

Job description

Starting at: $15.00 per hour
Hours: Flexible
JOB SUMMARY
Here is a unique opportunity to apply first-hand the practices of the public historian. The Elk Grove Historical Museum campus includes an orientation/exhibition building, a furnished farmhouse, barn, chicken coop, and contains a fairly substantial collection for its size. The intern will experience multiple aspects of work as a public historian within a museum setting. The museum is located at 399 Biesterfield Rd. in Elk Grove Village, a northwest suburb of Chicago. Must be enrolled in a degree or certificate program including history, public history, museum studies, or related field of study.
The intern will be responsible for completing specific tasks designated at the outset of the internship. This would include becoming familiar with the basic history of the Elk Grove area and could also have the opportunity to provide tours of the site on occasion. Additionally, the intern would work directly with the collection. This would entail examining what is in the collection, assisting with an inventory, organizing the materials, and creating finding aids. Assistance with other museum duties including accessioning, exhibit design, event planning, and possibly assistance with events/programs themselves would be included. It is also possible for the intern to complete a specific project for the site. The specific topic as well as the scope of this project are to be approved by the curator of the museum and the student's advisor.
ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS
  • The intern must be familiar with or become familiar with accessioning
  • Process items in the collection and catalog information in CatalogIt software
  • Photograph artifacts
  • Assist in research
  • Assist with exhibit planning
  • Assist with exhibit design
  • Conduct tours
  • Assist with the planning/facilitation of events/programs as schedule allows
  • Able to lift 30lbs.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE
  • Basic computer skills - Google Docs, Sheets, etc. Experience with CatalogIt a plus
  • Knowledge of history, research, and writing processes a plus
  • Responsible, conscientious, self-motivated

Elk Grove Park District is an Equal Opportunity Employer
Summary of Benefits

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