1

Museum Research Jobs (NOW HIRING)

$74K/yr

One year of specialized experience which includes:(1)Performing technical research for the restoration and preservation of museum artifacts, and archival material in a museum/historical collection ...

Art Museum Work Location Lexington, KY Salary Range $12.00/hour Type of Position Student Position ... curatorial research Keen attention to detail for cataloguing and archiving Hands-on skills for ...

Museum Director

Atlanta, GA · On-site

$78K - $102K/yr

... research" university and serves more than 29,500 students from all 50 states, Washington D.C., and ... The Director manages the museum as an interdisciplinary unit central to the university's academic ...

The Curator leads research, collection management, exhibit development, and public engagement initiatives that enhance the museum's mission and visitor experience. ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND ...

$74K/yr

One year of specialized experience which includes:(1)Performing technical research for the restoration and preservation of museum artifacts, and archival material in a museum/historical collection ...

Museum Curator

Lakewood, CO · On-site

$74K - $82K/yr

HIRING RANGE: $74,019.18 - $82,243.53/year The Museum Curator supports the Heritage, Culture and the Arts Division through collections management and exhibit research, planning, implementation and ...

Art Museum Work Location Lexington, KY Salary Range $12.00/hour Type of Position Student Position ... curatorial research Keen attention to detail for cataloguing and archiving Hands-on skills for ...

HIRING RANGE: $74,019.18 - $82,243.53/year The Museum Curator supports the Heritage, Culture and the Arts Division through collections management and exhibit research, planning, implementation and ...

Museum Preparator

Sarasota, FL · On-site

$37K - $46K/yr

Department The John & Mable Ringling Museum of Art is located in Sarasota, Florida, and is a ... University Information One of the nation's elite research universities, Florida State University ...

next page

Showing results 1-20

Museum Research information

See salary details

$8

$26

$61

How much do museum research jobs pay per hour?

As of Jun 7, 2026, the average hourly pay for museum research in the United States is $26.84, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $14.90 and $33.65 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are some typical challenges faced by professionals working in museum research roles?

Professionals in museum research often encounter challenges such as managing large and sometimes incomplete collections, balancing research with curatorial responsibilities, and securing funding for in-depth projects. They also need to stay updated with current academic discourse while making their work accessible to the public. Collaboration with curators, educators, and external scholars is essential to ensure research supports exhibitions and educational programs, which can require strong communication and project management skills.

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

To thrive as a Museum Researcher, you need a solid background in art history, anthropology, or related disciplines, usually with an advanced degree such as a master's or PhD. Familiarity with research databases, collections management systems, and citation software is typically required, along with experience handling archival materials. Strong analytical abilities, attention to detail, and excellent written and verbal communication skills are crucial for interpreting artifacts and sharing findings effectively. These skills enable researchers to contribute valuable insights, support curatorial decisions, and enhance educational outreach within the museum setting.

What is museum research?

Museum research is the systematic investigation and study of objects, collections, and topics related to a museum's mission. This work helps uncover the historical, cultural, or scientific significance of artifacts and often informs exhibitions, educational programs, and publications. Museum researchers may analyze artifacts, study archives, collaborate with other experts, and publish findings to expand public knowledge and preserve heritage. Their work ensures that the information presented to the public is accurate and meaningful.
More about Museum Research jobs
What cities are hiring for Museum Research jobs? Cities with the most Museum Research 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 jobs? States with the most job openings for Museum Research jobs include:
Infographic showing various Museum Research job openings in the United States as of May 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, and 99% Full Time. Highlights an 99% Physical, and 1% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $55,835 per year, or $26.8 per hour.

U.S. Department Of Defense rating

7.8

Company rating: 7.8 out of 10

Based on 518 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

26th of 46 rated military and defense


Job description

About the Position: Serves as Museum Curator of the National Mounted Warrior Museum. Responsibilities include long-range planning, development, coordinating and administering all matters pertaining to the museum operation.
Qualifications:

Who May Apply: Only applicants who meet one of the employment authority categories below are eligible to apply for this job. You will be asked to identify which category or categories you meet, and to provide documents which prove you meet the category or categories you selected. See Proof of Eligibility for an extensive list of document requirements for all employment authorities.

  • 30 Percent or More Disabled Veterans
  • Current Department of Army Civilian Employees
  • Current Department of Defense (DOD) Civilian Employee (non-Army)
  • Domestic Defense Industrial Base/Major Range and Test Facilities Base Civilian Personnel Workforce
  • Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan
  • Land Management Workforce Flexibility Act
  • Military Spouses, under Executive Order (E.O.) 13473
  • Non-Appropriated Fund Instrumentality (NAFI)
  • Non-Department of Defense (DoD) Transfer
  • People with Disabilities, Schedule A
  • Priority Placement Program, DoD Military Reserve (MR) and National Guard (NG) Technician Eligible
  • Priority Placement Program, DoD Military Spouse Preference (MSP) Eligible
  • Priority Placement Program, DoD MR and NG Preference Eligible Tech Receiving Disability Retirement
  • Priority Placement Program, DoD Retained Grade Preference Eligible
  • Reinstatement
  • Veterans Employment Opportunity Act (VEOA) of 1998

In order to qualify, you must meet the education and/or experience requirements described below. 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). You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience. Your resume must clearly describe your relevant experience; if qualifying based on education, your transcripts will be required as part of your application. Additional information about transcripts is in this document.
Basic Requirement for Supervisory Museum Curator:
A. Degree: Bachelor's degree (or higher) in museum work; or in an applicable subject-matter field such as Museum Studies or American History. (Transcripts required at the time of application.)
OR
B. Combination of Education and Experience: Courses equivalent to a major, as shown in A above, plus appropriate experience or additional education. (Transcripts required at the time of application.)
OR
C. Experience : Four years of experience that provided knowledge comparable to that normally acquired through the successful completion of the four year course of study as shown in A above.
In addition to meeting the basic requirement above, to qualify for this position you must also meet the qualification requirements listed below.
Specialized Experience for GS-11: One year of specialized experience which includes: reviewing exhibit designs and development; handling of artifacts and collection management; supporting museum lectures or educational programs such as military history; and managing artifact conservation and preservation. This definition of specialized experience is typical of work performed at the second lower grade/level position in the federal service (GS-09).
OR
Education: Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree or 3 full years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to such a degree in a field which demonstrates the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work of the position, such as: Military History, etc.
OR
Combination of Education and Experience: A combination of education and experience may be used to qualify for this position as long as the computed percentage of the requirements is at least 100%. To compute the percentage of the requirements, divide your total months of experience by 12. Then divide the total number of completed graduate semester hours (or equivalent) beyond the second year (total graduate semester hours minus 36) by 18. Add the two percentages.
Specialized Experience for GS-12: One year of specialized experience which includes:(1)Performing technical research for the restoration and preservation of museum artifacts, and archival material in a museum/historical collection; (2) planning and designing museum exhibits for a large museum; (3) identifying proper storage, security, and protection of museum artifacts or historical collection; and (4) creating public focused museum/historical collection educational written material such as booklets, brochures and news articles. This definition of specialized experience is typical of work performed at the next lower grade/level position in the federal service (GS-11).
You will be evaluated on the basis of your level of competency in the following areas:
  • Administration and Management
  • Communications and Media
  • Project Management
  • Technical Competence

Time in Grade Requirement for GS-11: Applicants who have held a General Schedule (GS) position within the last 52 weeks must have 52 weeks of Federal service at the next lower grade or equivalent (GS-9).
Time in Grade Requirement for GS-12: Applicants who have held a General Schedule (GS) position within the last 52 weeks must have 52 weeks of Federal service at the next lower grade or equivalent (GS-11).
To be referred, applicants must meet applicable time-in-grade and qualification requirements within 30 days of the closing of the announcement.Education:Some federal jobs allow you to substitute your education for the required experience in order to qualify. For this job, you must meet the qualification requirement using experience alone--no substitution of education for experience is permitted.Employment Type: OTHER

What U.S. Department Of Defense employees say

Pay

Benefits

Hours and flexibility

Workplace

Get the full story on Breakroom