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Museum Research Assistant Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Research Assistant

New York, NY · On-site

$33 - $34/hr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

The Museum lives in two iconic sites in New York City-The Met Fifth Avenue and The Met Cloisters ... The Research Assistant will assist the Senior Research Associate, Curator in Charge, and larger ...

Research Assistant

College Station, TX

$16 - $22/hr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

Job Title Research Assistant Agency Texas A&M University Department Biology Proposed Minimum Salary ... and Museum, and much more await you. Experience all that a big city has to offer but with a ...

Research Assistant

College Station, TX · On-site

$16 - $22/hr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

Job Title Research Assistant Agency Texas A&M University Department Biology Proposed Minimum Salary ... and Museum, and much more await you. Experience all that a big city has to offer but with a ...

Research Assistant

Raleigh, NC

$18.75 - $25.75/hr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

... Research Assistant Anticipated Hiring Range $48,547 - $51,000 Work Schedule Monday - Friday, 8 am ... Museum with over 2 million vouchered insects, Plant Disease and Insect Clinic, the Larry Grand ...

Research Assistant

Raleigh, NC · On-site

$48K - $51K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

... Research Assistant Anticipated Hiring Range $48,547 - $51,000 Work Schedule Monday - Friday, 8 am ... Museum with over 2 million vouchered insects, Plant Disease and Insect Clinic, the Larry Grand ...

Research Assistant

Raleigh, NC · On-site

$55K - $58K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

... Assistant Anticipated Hiring Range $55,000 - $58,000 Work Schedule Monday - Friday, 8 am - 5 pm ... Museum with 1.9 million vouchered insects, and the Center for Integrated Fungal Research. The ...

Research Assistant

Raleigh, NC

$18.75 - $25.75/hr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

... Assistant Anticipated Hiring Range $55,000 - $58,000 Work Schedule Monday - Friday, 8 am - 5 pm ... Museum with 1.9 million vouchered insects, and the Center for Integrated Fungal Research. The ...

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Museum Research Assistant information

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$8

$23

$45

How much do museum research assistant jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 16, 2026, the average hourly pay for museum research assistant in the United States is $23.01, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $15.38 and $26.20 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a museum research assistant?

A Museum Research Assistant supports research projects within a museum by gathering, analyzing, and organizing historical or cultural data. They assist curators and researchers in cataloging artifacts, preparing exhibitions, and maintaining accurate documentation. Duties may also involve archival research, data entry, and helping with public engagement initiatives. Strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and a background in history, anthropology, or museum studies are often required.

What are the typical daily responsibilities of a museum research assistant?

Museum Research Assistants commonly spend their days conducting object or exhibit research, cataloguing artifacts, updating digital records, and assisting with exhibition planning. They may also help prepare research materials, respond to scholarly inquiries, and support curators in organizing information for publications or educational programs. Collaboration with curators, conservators, and education staff is frequent, ensuring all research aligns with the museum’s goals and public programming. This multifaceted role can be both independent and team-oriented, offering variety and continuous learning opportunities for those passionate about museum work.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in the museum research assistant position, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Museum Research Assistant, you need a strong background in art history, anthropology, or a related field, with experience in research methods and data analysis. Familiarity with cataloguing software, digital archives, and collection management systems is often required, along with relevant certifications in archival practices being a plus. Attention to detail, organizational skills, and strong written and verbal communication abilities are excellent soft skills for this position. These competencies ensure precise research, effective management of collections, and successful collaboration with curators and other museum staff.

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What cities are hiring for Museum Research Assistant jobs?

Cities with the most Museum Research Assistant job openings:

What are the most commonly searched types of Museum Research jobs?

The most popular types of Museum Research jobs are:

What states have the most Museum Research Assistant jobs?

States with the most job openings for Museum Research Assistant jobs include:

Infographic showing various Museum Research Assistant job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 76% Full Time, 20% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 98% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 1% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $47,852 per year, or $23 per hour.

$33 - $34/hr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 24 days ago


The Metropolitan Museum Of Art rating

7.9

Company rating: 7.9 out of 10

Based on 6 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

5th of 29 rated museums


Job description

About the Metropolitan Museum of Art
The Met presents over 5,000 years of art from around the world for everyone to experience and enjoy. The Museum lives in two iconic sites in New York City-The Met Fifth Avenue and The Met Cloisters. Millions of people also take part in The Met experience online.
Since its founding in 1870, The Met has always aspired to be more than a treasury of rare and beautiful objects. We are committed to fostering a collaborative and respectful work environment with a staff as diverse as the audiences we engage. Our staff members are art lovers who are passionate about working toward a common goal: creating the most dynamic and inspiring art museum in the world.
At The Met, every staff member - from security officers to researchers to scientists and beyond - lives by our core values of respect, inclusivity, collaboration, excellence, and integrity.
Respect: Engage one another with collegiality, empathy, and kindness, always.
Inclusivity: Ensure that all are and feel welcome and valued.
Collaboration: Reach across boundaries to exchange ideas and work together toward our shared mission.
Excellence: Lead the cultural world in quality and expertise-and inspire curiosity and creativity.
Integrity: Hold ourselves to the highest moral standards, admit when we fall short, and then evolve.
ABOUT THE DEPARTMENT
The Costume Institute's collection of more than thirty-three thousand costumes and accessories represents five continents and seven centuries of fashionable dress and accessories for men, women, and children, from the fifteenth century to the present. The Costume Institute complex, named the Anna Wintour Costume Center includes the Lizzie and Jonathan Tisch Gallery and the Carl and Iris Barrel Apfel Gallery for the department's exhibitions. Behind the scenes is a state-of-the-art costume conservation laboratory; a study/storage facility to house the collection; and The Irene Lewisohn Costume Reference Library, one of the world's foremost fashion libraries.
GENERAL STATEMENT OF RESPONSIBILITES & DUTIES:
The Research Assistant will assist the Senior Research Associate, Curator in Charge, and larger curatorial research team with the collection, organization and documentation of material relating to the Costume Institute's spring 2027 exhibition and its accompanying publication.
PRIMARY RESPONSIBILIES & DUTIES:
  • Research and compile an extensive thematic timeline inclusive of biographical and professional milestones and related key political, sociological, artistic, and cultural events from the 1980s to the present
  • Organize associated records and corresponding documentation for project bibliographies
  • Assist, as needed, with the development, fact checking, and proofing of the related catalog texts and exhibition didactic display
  • Assist with periodical and image research and creating records in TMS
  • Assist with image management for the exhibition and related publication as needed
  • Provide general research support for exhibition content
  • Other related duties as needed

REQUIREMENTS & QUALIFICATIONS:
  • Advanced degree in Costume, Art or Design History
  • Knowledge of contemporary dress and fashion history
  • Related curatorial experience required
  • Strong research skills with proven follow-through
  • Excellent organizational and planning skills; strong attention to detail
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills
  • Ability to work both independently and collaboratively, and to exercise initiative
  • Fluency with Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel,PowerPoint)
  • Good working knowledge of relevant languages preferred (French, Spanish)

COMPENSATION RANGE:
  • Pay Rate: $33 - $34 / Hourly

The advertised pay scale reflects the good faith minimum and maximum salary range for this role. The advertised pay scale is not a promise of a particular wage for any specific employee. The specific compensation offered to a candidate may be dependent on a variety of factors including, but not limited to, the candidate's experience, education, special licensing or qualifications, and other factors.
Visa Sponsorship
Visa sponsorship is not available for this position.
Location Requirements
At time of employment, employees are expected to be located within commuting distance of the Museum. "Commuting distance" means that they are located in one of following states: New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, or Pennsylvania (the "Tri-state and PA" areas), and be able to commute to and from the Museum in a single day.
Benefits Offerings
The Museum provides competitive compensation, and generous benefits and perks for all eligible employees. Note: Benefits Offering may differ based on Employee Status.
  • Medical, dental, vision and life insurance
  • 403(b) basic retirement plan and optional matching retirement plan with an outstanding employer match
  • Considerable paid time off, including annual leave, sick leave, and 13 Museum holidays
  • Long-term disability coverage
  • Flexible Spending Accounts & Health Savings Account (pre-tax income for eligible health care expenses)
  • Commuter benefits (pre-tax income for parking or mass transit expenses)
  • Free financial-planning services
  • Financial assistance for relevant coursework, seminars, and training programs
  • 25% discount for staff in Museum shops
  • A subsidized staff cafeteria
  • Access to the Museums Council pass, which grants free admission to various museums and cultural institutions

We recognize that it is highly unlikely that someone meets 100% of the desired attributes for a role. If much of this job description describes you, then please apply for this role.
The Met is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. As part of this commitment, The Met will ensure that persons with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodations. If reasonable accommodation is needed in this process, please contact benefits@metmuseum.org.
The Metropolitan Museum of Art provides equal opportunity to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, creed, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, ancestry, age, mental or physical disability, pregnancy, alienage or citizenship status, marital status or domestic partner status, genetic information, genetic predisposition or carrier status, gender identity, HIV status, military status and any other category protected by law in all employment decisions, including but not limited to recruitment, hiring, compensation, training and apprenticeship, promotion, upgrading, demotion, downgrading, transfer, lay-off and termination, and all other terms and conditions of employment.

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