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Museum Security Guard Jobs in Arizona (NOW HIRING)

Museum Security Guard information

See Arizona salary details

$10

$17

$23

How much do museum security guard jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 29, 2026, the average hourly pay for museum security guard in Arizona is $17.74, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $14.33 and $17.45 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a museum security guard?

Museum Security Guards are professionals responsible for protecting museum property, exhibits, and visitors. They monitor galleries, patrol the premises, and enforce security policies to prevent theft, vandalism, and other incidents. These guards may also assist with emergency procedures, provide information to visitors, and respond to alarms or suspicious activity. Their presence ensures a safe and secure environment for both the artifacts and the public.

What are some typical challenges museum security guards face during their shifts?

Museum Security Guards often encounter challenges such as balancing visitor engagement with vigilant supervision of exhibits, adapting to varying visitor volumes during special events, and responding quickly to alarms or suspicious activity. They must remain attentive to both the safety of valuable artifacts and the comfort of guests, sometimes managing difficult situations with professionalism and tact. Additionally, guards regularly collaborate with museum staff and law enforcement to ensure comprehensive protection and smooth operation within the museum.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a museum security guard, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Museum Security Guard, you need knowledge of security protocols, strong observational skills, and often a high school diploma or equivalent. Familiarity with surveillance systems, access control technology, and sometimes CPR or first aid certification is typically required. Attention to detail, calmness under pressure, and excellent communication skills help guards respond effectively to incidents and interact with visitors. These skills are crucial for protecting valuable exhibits, ensuring visitor safety, and maintaining a secure museum environment.

What is the difference between Museum Security Guard vs Security Officer?

AspectMuseum Security GuardSecurity Officer
CredentialsHigh school diploma or equivalent; security training; sometimes specialized museum security certificationsHigh school diploma or equivalent; security training; often similar certifications
Work EnvironmentMuseums, galleries, cultural institutionsVarious settings including commercial, industrial, residential, and public spaces
Employer & IndustryMuseums, art galleries, cultural institutionsSecurity companies, private firms, organizations across multiple industries
Common Search & ComparisonYesYes

The primary difference between a Museum Security Guard and a Security Officer lies in their work environment and specific responsibilities. Museum Security Guards focus on protecting valuable artifacts and ensuring visitor safety within cultural institutions, often requiring specialized knowledge of museum policies. Security Officers work across various industries and environments, providing general security services. Both roles require similar credentials and training, but their daily duties and settings differ significantly.

What job categories do people searching Museum Security Guard jobs in Arizona look for?

The top searched job categories for Museum Security Guard jobs in Arizona are:

Infographic showing various Museum Security Guard job openings in Arizona as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 86% Full Time, 10% Part Time, 2% Temporary, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 92% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 5% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $36,894 per year, or $17.7 per hour.

Security Guard - Part-time/Reserve

Tucson, AZ • On-site

Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum
Museums and Historical Sites • 51 - 200 employees

$18.36/hr

Other

Posted 4 days ago


Job description

Join us at the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum and share your passion for our incredible desert home!
We are seeking a reliable Reserve Security Guard to join our Safety & Security Team and help maintain continuous round-the-clock coverage. This position is ideal for individuals seeking steady part-time work with the opportunity to pick up extra hours. Applicants must be immediately available to work on Saturday evenings, 3PM-11PM, but this is subject to change based on operational needs. The availability to cover vacations, heavy attendance days, and callouts (as needed) is a plus.
A High School diploma and a minimum of two years' related experience and/or training; or equivalent combination of education and experience is required. Valid Arizona Driver's License, First Aid, AED, and CPR certifications required. Law enforcement or security experience is highly desirable. Applicants must be at least 21 years of age.
Job Title: Security Guard
Department: Security
Reports To: Safety & Quality Manager
FLSA Status: Non-exempt
Salary: $18.36 per hour
Schedule: Part-time, Reserve. Average of 16 hours per week. One 8-hour shift per week is guaranteed.
Summary
Individuals in this position provide outstanding guest service, both external and internal. Observe, report, safeguard, and secure the Museum's property, staff and visitors during assigned shift by performing the following duties. This position is flexible and accommodates ever-changing business needs.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities include the following. Other duties may be assigned.
  • Treat all Museum guests, staff, and volunteers with respect, honor and dignity regardless of their individual diversity. When interacting with the public or another member of the museum, the Security Guard should always strive to provide the best experience possible.
  • Assists Guest Services with daily transports.
  • Assists with parking lot management.
  • Responsible for set-up and take down of all special event signage and sign equipment.
  • Routinely patrols property.
  • Responsible for observation, reporting and deterring processes.
  • Secures the Museum's grounds and facilities for opening and closing procedures.
  • Maintains surveillance, records on Museum property.
  • Follows standardized procedures when investigating and reporting all incidents that are unusual or suspicious circumstances.
  • Responds to all first aid incidents and emergencies.
  • Conducts standardized security checks of the grounds; maintains notes in Security log for all security shift tasks and any notes of unusual circumstances.
  • Monitors various Museum operating systems.
  • Monitors public safety.
  • Responds to alarms and dispatched calls for service; decides what actions to take based on situation, facts known and position limitations.
  • Assists guests in the parking areas.
  • Conducts closures to areas on museum grounds for special events.
  • Provides assistance with keys locked in cars, flat tires, jump-starts, and other vehicle issues as needed.
  • Assists guests on grounds needing directions or transportation or any other requests for service.
  • Follows Museum Key Procedures; locks/unlocks buildings/doors based on situation.
  • Assists in monthly inventory, inspections, and service of fire suppression and first aid equipment.
  • Assists the Herpetology Department with humane venomous snake capture.
  • Monitors guest behavior at all Museum special events.
  • Maintains guest, staff, and volunteer confidence and protects operations by keeping information confidential.
  • Cooperates with all Local Law Enforcement Agencies as well as all Government agencies.

Supervisory Responsibilities
This job has no supervisory responsibilities.
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Education and/or Experience
High School diploma and a minimum of two years related experience and/or training; or equivalent combination of education and experience.
Language Skills
Ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, and procedure manuals. Ability to write routine reports and correspondence. Ability to speak effectively before groups of customers or employees of organization.
Mathematical Skills
Ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals. Ability to compute rate, ratio, and percent and to draw and interpret bar graphs.
Reasoning Ability
Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions. Ability to interpret an extensive variety of technical instructions in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form and deal with several abstract and concrete variables.
Computer Skills
To perform this job successfully, an individual should have the ability to learn or the knowledge of Microsoft Outlook for email communication and online training, cloud-based time tracking software for timekeeping, and standard word processing software for preparing notes and memos.
Certificates, Licenses, Registrations (Required):
  • Current First Aid, AED & CPR Certifications
  • Valid Arizona Driver's License, or ability to obtain, with satisfactory driver's record

Physical Demands
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
While performing the duties of this position, the employee is regularly required to use hands to finger, handle, or feel and talk or hear. The employee is frequently required to stand, walk, stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl and taste or smell. The employee is occasionally required to sit and climb or balance. The employee must regularly lift and /or move up to 10 pounds, frequently lift and/or move up to 50 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 100 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.
Work Environment
The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
While performing the duties of this position, the employee is regularly exposed to outside weather conditions. The employee is occasionally exposed to wet and/or humid conditions; moving mechanical parts; high, precarious places; fumes or airborne particles; toxic or caustic chemicals; risk of electrical shock; explosives and risk of radiation. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.
IDEA Commitment
The Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum is committed to fostering a welcoming space and a diverse, inclusive team that reflects the communities in which we live and work. We understand that inclusion, diversity, equity, and accessibility (IDEA) are integral to the fulfillment of our mission, and to our success as an organization. To that end, we are working to build the structures, policies, hiring practices and organizational culture that ensure representation and opportunity for all, and create an environment of belonging where everyone feels respected, safe, and understood. Additionally, as we continue to engage in this work, we are working to integrate the core values of IDEA into our programs, exhibits, communications, and other public offerings. Valuing each other's differences brings us together to create a thriving workplace and fair work culture, allowing us to fulfill our mission more effectively.
We believe inclusion is everyone's responsibility. Ways in which commitment is demonstrated include continuous development, modeling inclusive behaviors, and proactively addressing bias.
The Museum's IDEA Coalition consists of staff members who are driving our efforts to build a culture where people feel they belong and have a voice. Visit the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum's IDEA page to learn more.
The above description reflects a general overview of the responsibilities, reporting relationships and position requirements for this job classification. It is not intended to be a complete description of all duties and requirements that may be inherent in the position.