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Museum Internship Jobs in Washington (NOW HIRING)

Glenstone Museum

Area Horticulturist

Potomac, MD

$28 - $33/hr

Opened in 2006 and expanded in 2018, the museum welcomes visitors to a unique experience of indoor ... Mentor Glenstone associates, interns, and RISE students on campus landscape maintenance and ...

Grammy

Intern, Advocacy & Public Policy

Washington, DC

$17 - $22.75/hr

INTERNSHIP DETAILS FALL INTERNSHIP APPLICATION DEADLINE FOR STUDENTS: 7/31/2026 FALL INTERNSHIP ... GRAMMY MUSEUM Established in 2008 as a partnership between the Recording Academy and AEG, the ...

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Museum Internship information

See Washington salary details

$10

$19

$26

How much do museum internship jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 29, 2026, the average hourly pay for museum internship in Washington is $19.60, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $16.35 and $21.78 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a museum internship?

A museum internship is a short-term work experience opportunity offered by museums to students, recent graduates, or individuals interested in pursuing a career in the museum field. Interns gain hands-on experience in areas such as curation, education, collections management, research, and museum administration. These internships can be paid or unpaid and typically last from a few weeks to several months. They are valuable for building professional networks, enhancing résumés, and gaining practical skills relevant to museum careers.

What types of projects or responsibilities can I expect during a museum internship?

During a museum internship, you may be involved in a variety of hands-on projects such as assisting with exhibition installation, cataloging collections, supporting educational programs, or helping with marketing and outreach efforts. Interns often work closely with curators, educators, and collections managers, gaining exposure to the daily operations of the museum. You'll have opportunities to develop professional skills, network with museum professionals, and contribute to meaningful projects that enhance the visitor experience.

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 in art history, museum studies, or related fields, along with strong research and organizational skills. Familiarity with collection management systems, database software, and digital archiving tools is often expected. Excellent communication, attention to detail, and teamwork are standout soft skills in this role. These competencies help interns effectively support museum operations, contribute to exhibitions and education, and ensure the preservation and accessibility of collections.

What is the difference between Museum Internship vs Museum Curator?

AspectMuseum InternshipMuseum Curator
Required CredentialsTypically pursuing or holding a relevant degree (e.g., history, art, archaeology)Advanced degree (Master's or PhD) often required
Work EnvironmentHands-on experience in museums, assisting staff, and learning operationsOversees collections, research, exhibitions, and staff management
Employer & Industry UsageEntry-level or training positions within museums and cultural institutionsSenior professional role within museums, cultural institutions, or academia

While a Museum Internship provides practical experience and training in museum operations, a Museum Curator is a professional responsible for managing collections, research, and exhibitions. Internships are ideal for gaining initial exposure, whereas curators hold advanced qualifications and oversee museum programs.

What skills do you need to be a museum internship?

A museum internship typically requires strong communication, organizational, and research skills. Attention to detail, familiarity with museum collections or archival work, and basic computer skills are also important. Some positions may require knowledge of specific tools or software related to curation or education.

What are the most commonly searched types of Museum jobs in Washington?

The most popular types of Museum jobs in Washington are:

What are popular job titles related to Museum Internship jobs in Washington?

For Museum Internship jobs in Washington, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Museum Internship jobs in Washington look for?

The top searched job categories for Museum Internship jobs in Washington are:

What cities in Washington are hiring for Museum Internship jobs?

Cities in Washington with the most Museum Internship job openings:

Museum Internship jobs near you
Infographic showing various Museum Internship job openings in Washington as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 6% Internship, 69% Full Time, 23% Part Time, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 87% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 12% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $40,767 per year, or $19.6 per hour.

Museum Specialist

Opportunities at the National Gallery of Art

Washington, DC • On-site

$121K/yr

Full-time

This job post has expired 2 days ago. Applications are no longer accepted.

Job description

The National Gallery of Art welcomes all people to explore art, creativity, and our shared humanity. Millions of people come through our doors each year, with even more online, making us one of the most visited art museums in the world. Our renowned collection includes over 160,000 works of art, from the ancient world to today. Admission to the West and East Buildings, Sculpture Garden, special exhibitions, and public programs is always free. 

Qualifications:Basic Requirements:

1.Degree: museum work; or in an applicable subject-matter field.

OR

2. Combination of education and experience -- courses equivalent to a major, as shown in 1 above, plus appropriate experience or additional education.

OR

3.Four years of experience that provided knowledge comparable to that normally acquired through the successful completion of the 4-year course of study as shown in 1 above.

Specialized Experience Statement GS13: Candidates must possess at least one year of specialized experience, equivalent in responsibility to the GS-12 level in the Federal service or private sector private sector, treating and documenting modern and contemporary paintings. 

Specialized Experience Statement GS14: Candidates must possess at least one year of specialized experience, equivalent in responsibility to the GS-13 level in the Federal service or private sector, treating and documenting Old Master paintings and experience providing mentorship to junior colleagues, fellows, and interns. 

OPM Qualifications Standard:

Individual Occupational Requirements: Museum Curator Series 1015 Associated Group standard: General Schedule Qualification Standards

You must meet all qualification and eligibility requirements by the closing date of this announcement.

OPM Qualifications Standard:

Individual Occupational Requirements: Museum Curator Series 1015 Associated Group standard: General Schedule Qualification Standards

Merit promotion applicants must meet the time-in-grade requirement as defined in 5 CFR 300, Subpart F. 
You must meet all qualification and eligibility requirements by the closing date of this announcement.
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.

Note: Applicants who are referred to the hiring office for selection consideration may be required to submit writing and/or work samples as part of the interview/selection process. If the hiring office decides to request a writing and/or work sample as part of its selection process, the vacancy contact will reach out to you by email to: (1) inform you of this requirement; and (2) provide further instructions.

Education:

This position has an education requirement. 

Education must be obtained from an accredited institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. Foreign education must be reviewed by an organization recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. For special instructions pertaining to foreign education and a list of organizations that can evaluate foreign education, see the Department of Education website.

Employment Type: OTHER

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