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Museum Natural History Jobs (NOW HIRING)

City of Mesa

Museum Curator

Mesa, AZ

$75K - $102K/yr

Description/Duties The current vacancy is in the Arizona Museum of Natural History; however, this recruitment will also be used to establish an eligible list for possible future vacancies in other ...

City of Mesa, AZ

Museum Curator

Mesa, AZ · On-site

$75K - $102K/yr

Continuous Description/Duties The current vacancy is in the Arizona Museum of Natural History; however, this recruitment will also be used to establish an eligible list for possible future vacancies ...

University of Minnesota

Museum Educator

Minneapolis, MN · On-site

$21.91/hr

About the Job Bell Museum College of Food, Agricultural and Natural Resource Sciences (CFANS) Position Title: Museum Educator Reports To: School Programs Coordinator U Classification: Education ...

People Architects

Director of Conservation

Cleveland, OH · On-site

... Museum of Natural History's mission. The Director of Conservation provides strategic leadership for the museum's Natural Areas program and conservation initiatives across approximately 12,500 acres ...

Smithsonian Institution

Museum Technician

Washington, DC · On-site +1

$57K - $75K/yr

The National Museum of Natural History (NMNH) is a major bureau of the Smithsonian Institution that is responsible for the acquisition, curation, and preservation of collections of objects and ...

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How much do museum natural history jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 9, 2026, the average hourly pay for museum natural history in the United States is $24.46, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $14.90 and $27.16 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is the difference between Museum Natural History vs Museum Curator?

AspectMuseum Natural HistoryMuseum Curator
Required CredentialsBachelor's or Master's in Museum Studies, Anthropology, or related fieldsBachelor's or Master's in Museum Studies, History, or related fields; often requires experience in curation
Work EnvironmentMuseum exhibits, research labs, educational programsExhibit development, collection management, research, public engagement
Employer & Industry UsageMuseums, research institutions, educational organizationsMuseums, galleries, cultural institutions
Common Search & ComparisonYesYes

While a Museum Natural History focuses on research, education, and managing natural history collections, a Museum Curator specializes in developing exhibits, managing collections, and engaging the public. Both roles often require similar educational backgrounds and work within museums, but their primary responsibilities differ, with curators more involved in exhibit creation and collection curation.

What is a museum natural history professional?

Museum Natural History professionals are individuals who work in museums dedicated to natural history, such as curators, educators, researchers, and collection managers. They are responsible for preserving, studying, and interpreting natural specimens, including fossils, minerals, plants, and animals. These professionals also design exhibits, conduct scientific research, and engage with the public to promote understanding of the natural world. Their work helps to educate visitors, support scientific discovery, and conserve important specimens for future generations.

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

A Museum Natural History Curator typically needs a strong background in natural sciences, research experience, and at least a master's degree in a relevant field. Familiarity with collection management systems, cataloging software, and possibly GIS tools is important for managing and documenting specimens. Excellent communication, organization, and public engagement skills help curators present information clearly to diverse audiences and collaborate with colleagues. These skills ensure the effective preservation, interpretation, and educational outreach of museum collections.

How does a museum natural history professional typically collaborate with researchers and educators?

Museum Natural History professionals often work closely with researchers to curate, catalog, and preserve specimens, ensuring accurate scientific data is available for study. They also collaborate with educators to design engaging exhibits and educational programs that translate complex scientific concepts into accessible content for visitors of all ages. These collaborations require effective communication and a willingness to balance scientific accuracy with public engagement, making teamwork a core part of the role. Regular meetings and cross-departmental projects are common, fostering a dynamic and intellectually stimulating work environment.
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Museum Natural History jobs near you
Infographic showing various Museum Natural History job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 80% Full Time, 15% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 95% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 4% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $50,874 per year, or $24.5 per hour.

Museum Specialist

American Museum of Natural History

Manhattan, NY • On-site

$59K/yr

Full-time

Posted yesterday

New

Job description

Posting Details
Position Information
Position Title
Museum Specialist
Department
Ornithology - 018
Position Summary
The American Museum of Natural History is one of the world's preeminent scientific and cultural institutions, and has as its mission to discover, interpret, and disseminate information about human cultures, the natural world, and the universe through a wide-ranging program of scientific research, education, and exhibition.
The Ornithology department is seeking a full-time Museum Specialist. The Museum Specialist will assist in the care, maintenance, and usage of specimens in the Museum collections in the department of Ornithology. They will help ensure the collections are accessible to AMNH staff, visiting researchers, students and other interested parties.
Job duties include, but are not limited to:
  • Care and maintenance of Ornithology collections, including:
    • Specimen/objects preparation, identification, housing, labeling, organizing, and shelving, including major collections moves.
    • Collections cataloging, including accessions/deaccessions, digitization, and database management.
    • Environmental monitoring of storage facilities and laboratories and pest management.
    • Monitoring preservation/condition of objects and the integrity of storage systems.
    • Chemical safety, inventory control, lab maintenance, equipment, and supplies.
  • Processing incoming and outgoing loans, including:
    • Specimen/objects retrieval and housing.
    • Packing/unpacking and shipping and condition reporting.
    • Invoicing, movement tracking, correspondence, and records management.
    • Wildlife import/export declarations and permitting (if applicable).
  • Assisting staff, students, interns, volunteers, and external visitors to the collections, including:
    • Processing information requests and managing the curatorial approval process.
    • Coordinating visits with relevant parties and security registration.
    • Supervising and assisting visitors at both onsite and offsite collection storage locations.
  • Other tasks as assigned, which may include but are not limited to:
    • Participating in data collection for annual collection reports and other documents as needed.
    • Working collaboratively with Science Conservation, Registrars, Dean of Collections, Exhibitions, and other areas of the Museum on collections-related initiatives and special projects.
    • Participating in collections-related fieldwork, workshops, conferences, and trainings.

The expected salary for the Museum Specialist is $59,945.92/annual. This position is overtime-eligible and the AMNH offers an extensive benefits package designed to meet the needs of our dedicated and diverse community.
Pay will be determined based on several factors. The hiring range for the position at commencement is based on the type of work and the scope of responsibilities. The salary and placement offered is based on a number of individualized factors, including, but not limited to, skills, knowledge, training, education, credentials, areas of specialization and depth and scope of experience.
Minimum Qualifications
  • Bachelor's degree in biology or another related field.
  • Proficiency in Microsoft Office.
  • Ability to perform tasks requiring high manual dexterity.
  • Good organizational skills and attention to detail.

Preferred Qualifications
  • Experience working in museum collections and with wild birds.
  • Experience working with collections management databases.
  • Knowledge about geography, avian taxonomy, and systematics.

Physical Demands
  • Must be able to remain in a stationary position (sitting or standing) for prolonged periods.
  • Must be able to occasionally lift up to 50 pounds.
  • Must be able to move about the Museum campus.
  • Positioning/change of positioning: Must be able to frequently position oneself/body to accomplish job duties.
    • Balancing: Maintaining body equilibrium to prevent falling.
    • Climbing: Ascending or descending physical structures.
    • Exerting up to 50 pounds of force occasionally and up to 20 pounds of force frequently. May include any of the following:
      • Pushing: Using upper extremities to press against something with steady force to thrust forward, downward or outward.
      • Pulling: Using upper extremities to exert force in order to drag, haul or tug objects in a sustained motion.
      • Lifting: Raising objects from a lower to a higher position or moving objects horizontally from position-to-position.

Category
Full-Time
Total Number of Scheduled Hours Per Pay Period
70
Union Status
Union
FLSA
Non-Exempt
Expected Salary Minimum
$59,945.92/annual
Expected Salary Maximum
$59,945.92/annual
EEO Statement
The American Museum of Natural History is an Equal Opportunity Employer. The Museum does not discriminate with respect to employment, or admission or access to Museum facilities, programs or activities on the basis of race, creed, color, religion, age, disability, marital status, partnership status, gender (including sexual harassment), sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, genetic information, pregnancy and lactation accommodations, alienage or citizenship status, current or former participation in the uniformed services, status as a veteran, caregiver, pre-employment marijuana testing, sexual and reproductive health decisions, salary history, national or ethnic origin, height, weight, or on account of any other basis prohibited by applicable City, State, or Federal law. Additional protections are afforded in employment based on arrest or conviction record, status as a victim of domestic violence, stalking and sex offenses, unemployment status, and credit history, in each case to the extent provided by law.
Quick Link
https://careers.amnh.org/postings/4890
Posting Detail Information
Posting Number
GS1036P
Open Date
08/07/2026
Close Date
Open Until Filled
Yes
Special Instructions to Applicants

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