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Museum Manager Jobs (NOW HIRING)

HILLWOOD MUSEUM

Museum Assistant

Washington, DC · On-site

May assist with special event crowd and or vehicle management. Key Job Elements: If assigned to ... Free admission to the museum * Casual Monday * Free on-site parking Organizational Relationships:

Miami Childrens Museum Inc

Museum Playologist

Miami, FL

$36K - $46K/yr

Miami Children's Museum is looking for a Museum Playologist to help us spark curiosity, inspire ... Ability to manage large groups of children at once. * Flexible, patient, and good rapport with the ...

City of Mesa

Museum Exhibitions Coordinator

Mesa, AZ

$64K - $88K/yr

A Museum Exhibitions Coordinator is responsible for developing strategy, management, design, construction, installation, and maintenance of permanent galleries and temporary museum exhibitions ...

Vanderbilt University

Museum Registrar

Nashville, TN · On-site

The position develops and implements collections management standards, policies, and procedures. The Registrar also helps educate museum staff, students, and other interested parties in best ...

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Museum Manager information

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How much do museum manager jobs pay per hour?

As of Jul 15, 2026, the average hourly pay for museum manager in the United States is $18.11, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $15.14 and $18.99 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does a museum manager do?

A museum manager oversees the daily operations of a museum, including staff management, budgeting, and ensuring the safety and preservation of exhibits. They coordinate educational programs, develop policies, and work with curators to maintain the museum's collections and visitor experience.

How to get into museum management?

To become a museum manager, candidates typically need a bachelor's degree in museum studies, history, art, or a related field, along with experience in museum operations or curation. Developing skills in leadership, project management, and familiarity with collections management software can enhance prospects. Advanced roles may require a master's degree and relevant professional experience.

What are some common challenges faced by a Museum Manager, and how can they be addressed?

Museum Managers often face challenges such as balancing budget constraints with the need to deliver engaging exhibitions and programs. They must also ensure collections are preserved and accessible to the public while complying with regulatory standards. Effective communication and collaboration with curators, educators, and administrative staff are essential for successful project execution. Staying adaptable and proactive in seeking grant opportunities, community partnerships, and innovative visitor experiences can help address these challenges and support the museum's mission.

What is the highest paying job at a museum?

The highest paying job at a museum is typically the Director or Executive Director, who oversees operations, strategic planning, and fundraising. These roles often require extensive experience, advanced degrees, and strong leadership skills, and they can earn six-figure salaries depending on the institution's size and funding.

What jobs in the US pay 300,000 a year?

For a Museum Manager, salaries reaching $300,000 annually are uncommon and typically occur in senior leadership roles or large institutions with extensive budgets. High-paying museum executive positions, such as Director or Chief Curator, may approach this level with significant experience, advanced degrees, and successful fundraising or administrative skills. Most museum management roles tend to have lower base salaries, but compensation can increase with additional responsibilities and institutional size.

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

To excel as a Museum Manager, you need a background in museum studies, art history, or a related field, along with experience in collections management and exhibition planning. Familiarity with collection management software, budgeting tools, and compliance with museum standards is typically required. Leadership, strong organizational skills, and effective communication are vital soft skills for managing staff, engaging the public, and building partnerships. These competencies ensure the museum's operations run smoothly, its collections are preserved, and its mission is successfully promoted to diverse audiences.

What is the difference between Museum Manager vs Curator?

AspectMuseum ManagerCurator
Primary RoleOversees museum operations, staff, and budgetsDevelops exhibits, conducts research, and manages collections
Required CredentialsBachelor's degree in museum studies, management, or related field; experience in administrationBachelor's or master's in art history, archaeology, or related field; specialized knowledge
Work EnvironmentAdministrative offices, museum floors, staff meetingsExhibit development areas, collections storage, research spaces
Employer & Industry UsageFound in museums, cultural institutions, historical sitesPrimarily in museums, galleries, and research institutions

While both roles are essential in museums, a Museum Manager focuses on overall operations and administration, whereas a Curator specializes in collections, research, and exhibit development. Understanding these differences helps in choosing the right career path or job search focus.

More about Museum Manager jobs
What cities are hiring for Museum Manager jobs? Cities with the most Museum Manager job openings:
What are the most commonly searched types of Museum jobs? The most popular types of Museum jobs are:
What states have the most Museum Manager jobs? States with the most job openings for Museum Manager jobs include:
What job categories do people searching Museum Manager jobs look for? The top searched job categories for Museum Manager jobs are:
Museum Manager jobs near you
Infographic showing various Museum Manager job openings in the United States as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 85% Full Time, 13% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 1% Contract. Highlights an 86% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 13% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $37,668 per year, or $18.1 per hour.

Museum Assistant

HILLWOOD MUSEUM

Washington, DC • On-site

Full-time

Medical, Life, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted yesterday

Job description

Employment Status:

Full-Time

Schedule:

Total number of scheduled hours varies based on need. Employee’s schedule will be a combination of weekdays, Saturdays and Sundays between the hours of 9:30 am and 5:30 pm.

Primary Functions:

Greets and orients visitors at the coat check in the Mansion Acts as rover or sits a static post inside the Mansion. May answer general questions about the Hillwood/exhibit for visitors. Augments Hillwood Security by observing and reporting any suspicious activity, injury/illness, or unusual/unsafe conditions. Assures a positive, enjoyable visitor experience. May assist with special event crowd and or vehicle management.

Key Job Elements:

If assigned to Mansion Coat Check:

Welcomes and greets visitors and checks coats/bags Provides information and directions to visitors Reports suspicious activity to Security Relays any emergency information to Security for their response Answers Hillwood-related and general questions Assists Security with emergency evacuation of visitors

If assigned as Mansion Rover or Stationary Gallery Monitor:

Circulates throughout assigned area and/or sits a fixed post to observe visitor activity. Provides information and directions to visitors. Reports suspicious activity to Security Relays any emergency information to Security for their response. Answers Hillwood-related and general questions. Assists Security with emergency evacuation of visitors.

If assigned to Special Events or Parking:

Assist Security with vehicle management Assist Security with crowd management and wayfinding

We Offer:

  • A fabulous work culture that inspires your best work
  • Flexibility with a hybrid work environment
  • Support for career development with internal and external opportunities to learn and grow
  • Comprehensive health coverage with HSA contributions up to $3,000 annually
  • Retirement Savings Plan with up to 5% employer match
  • Life and disability insurance at no cost to you
  • Metro commuter benefits of up to $100 per month
  • Best in class paid time off—3 weeks vacation, 80 hours sick leave, and 11 paid holidays
  • Mental wellness support
  • Discounts in the shop and Hillwood café
  • Free admission to the museum
  • Casual Monday
  • Free on-site parking


Organizational Relationships:

Reports to their assigned supervisor or project leader. Collaborates with the Security Services. Interacts with staff, volunteers and visitors of all ages.

Knowledge:

Interested in learning about decorative arts, the Museum’s collection and founder. Experience in customer service.

Skills/Abilities:

  • An ability to remain calm under various stressors (illness/injury, emergency evacuation, suspected or overt criminal behavior).
  • Strong observation skills.
  • A warm, empathetic, and enthusiastic communicator.
  • Flexibility, patience, and a positive outlook.
  • Commitment to, enthusiasm for, and comfort with conversing with a diverse range of people.
  • Timely and responsive in correspondence via email and phone.
  • Basic comfort level with and regular use of email and computers.
  • Demonstrates a commitment to the spirit of Hillwood’s mission, vision, and interpretive messages, and keeps them at the forefront of all endeavors.
  • Use of a radio for communications.

Work Environment:

  • The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those a museum security assistant encounters while performing the essential functions of the role.
  • Museum Assistants are regularly required to:
  • Communicate professionally in person, over the telephone, through email and other electronic means.
  • Stand and or walk for extended periods of time.
  • Ascend/descend stairs, move about their assigned area.
  • Visually or otherwise identify, observe and assess.
  • Occasionally required to lift, drag and/or move up to 15 pounds unassisted.


Notice: The preceding description has been designed to indicate the general nature and essential duties and responsibilities of work performed by a Museum Assistant. It may not contain a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities, and qualifications required of staff to do this role.