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Museum Store Manager Jobs in Washington (NOW HIRING)

Materials Handler,

Washington, DC · On-site

$26.74 - $31.19/hr

Warehouse Manager Compensation: $26.74 - $31.19 / hour Description OPEN DATE: August 04, 2026 ... Museum Stores and Restaurants, Credit Union, Smithsonian Early Enrichment Center (Child Care ...

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Museum Store Manager information

See Washington salary details

$22.1K

$56K

$98.4K

How much do museum store manager jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 8, 2026, the average yearly pay for museum store manager in Washington is $56,032.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $42,600.00 and $64,100.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is the difference between Museum Store Manager vs Museum Gift Shop Associate?

AspectMuseum Store ManagerMuseum Gift Shop Associate
ResponsibilitiesOversees store operations, manages staff, inventory, and sales strategiesAssists customers, stocks shelves, processes transactions
Required SkillsLeadership, inventory management, customer serviceCustomer service, product knowledge, basic sales skills
Work EnvironmentManagement office, store floor, staff coordinationRetail floor, customer interaction
CredentialsHigh school diploma or equivalent; experience in retail or managementHigh school diploma or equivalent; retail experience preferred

The Museum Store Manager typically handles store operations, staff management, and strategic planning, requiring leadership skills and retail experience. In contrast, the Museum Gift Shop Associate focuses on customer service and daily sales tasks. Both roles are essential in a museum retail setting but differ significantly in responsibilities and skill requirements.

What skills and qualifications are needed to be a museum store manager?

To thrive as a Museum Store Manager, you need expertise in retail management, inventory control, merchandising, and a background in business or related fields. Familiarity with point-of-sale (POS) systems, inventory management software, and basic financial reporting tools is essential. Strong leadership, customer service, and communication skills help build effective teams and create a welcoming shopping experience. These competencies drive sales, ensure operational efficiency, and support the museum's mission through successful retail operations.

What does a museum store manager do?

A Museum Store Manager oversees the daily operations of a museum's retail store, including managing staff, coordinating inventory, and ensuring a positive customer experience. They are responsible for selecting merchandise that reflects the museum's mission and exhibitions, developing sales strategies, and maintaining financial records. Additionally, they collaborate with museum staff to create promotional events and support educational initiatives through the store's offerings.

How does a museum store manager collaborate with curators and exhibition teams to enhance the visitor experience?

A Museum Store Manager works closely with curators and exhibition teams to ensure that the store's merchandise aligns with current exhibitions and the museum's educational mission. This collaboration often involves selecting and sourcing products that reflect exhibition themes, developing exclusive items, and organizing special promotions or events. By staying in sync with the curatorial team, the manager can create a cohesive visitor experience that extends beyond the galleries and into the retail space, driving both engagement and revenue.
What are the most commonly searched types of Museum Store jobs in Washington? The most popular types of Museum Store jobs in Washington are:
What are popular job titles related to Museum Store Manager jobs in Washington? For Museum Store Manager jobs in Washington, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Museum Store Manager jobs in Washington look for? The top searched job categories for Museum Store Manager jobs in Washington are:
What cities in Washington are hiring for Museum Store Manager jobs? Cities in Washington with the most Museum Store Manager job openings:
Infographic showing various Museum Store Manager job openings in Washington as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 60% Full Time, and 40% Part Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $56,032 per year, or $26.9 per hour.

Visitor Services Coordinator, IS-1001-07

Smithsonian Institution

Chantilly, VA • On-site

$57K - $65K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement

Posted 4 days ago


Smithsonian Institution rating

8.6

Company rating: 8.6 out of 10

Based on 25 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

2nd of 29 rated museums


Job description

Visitor Services Coordinator, IS-1001-07
Application Deadline: 19 August 2026
Department: National Air and Space Museum
Employment Type: Full Time
Location: Chantilly, VA
Reporting To: Visitor Services Specialist
Compensation: $57,736 - $65,435 / year
Description
OPEN DATE: August 5, 2026
CLOSING DATE: August 19, 2026 *This announcement will remain open until 150 applications have been received. As a result, it may close prior to the posted closing date*.
Promotion Potential

POSITION TYPE: Trust Fund
APPOINTMENT TYPE: Indefinite
SCHEDULE: Full Time
DUTY LOCATION: Chantilly, VA
Position sensitivity and risk:
Non-sensitive/Low Risk

Open to all qualified applicants
What are Trust Fund Positions?
Trust Fund positions are unique to the Smithsonian. They are paid for from a variety of sources, including the Smithsonian endowment, revenue from our business activities, donations, grants and contracts. Trust employees are not part of the civil service, nor does trust fund employment lead to Federal status. The salary ranges for trust positions are generally the same as for federal positions and in many cases trust and federal employees work side by side. Trust employees have their own benefit program, which may include Health, Dental & Vision Insurance, Life Insurance, Transit/Commuter Benefits, Accidental Death and Dismemberment Insurance, Annual and Sick Leave, Family Friendly Leave, 403b Retirement Plan, Discounts for Smithsonian Memberships, Museum Stores and Restaurants, Credit Union, Smithsonian Early Enrichment Center (Child Care), Flexible Spending Account (Health & Dependent Care).
Conditions of Employment
  • Pass Pre-employment Background Check and Subsequent Background Investigation for position designated.
  • Complete a Probationary Period.
  • Maintain a Bank Account for Direct Deposit/Electronic Transfer.
  • The position is open to all candidates eligible to work in the United States. Proof of eligibility to work in U.S. is not required to apply.
  • Applicants must meet all qualification and eligibility requirements within 30 days of the closing date of this announcement.

OVERVIEW
The Smithsonian Institution, National Air and Space Museum (NASM) seeks two coordinators for the Visitor Services program. The Visitor Services Coordinator works with the Visitor Services team to manage volunteers, communicate with the public, and support daily operations and activities at the Museum. The Visitor Services Coordinator works at both the National Air and Space Museum in Washington, DC and the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center in Chantilly, Virginia.
This position is located in the Visitor Services Division within the Education and Visitor Experience Directorate of the National Air and Space Museum (NASM), Smithsonian Institution (SI). The Visitor Services Coordinator specializes in volunteer programming, training and management. They provide key support in the day-to-day work of the Visitor Services team. This includes entrance operations, health and safety, customer service, communication with the public, and collaboration with all NASM offices in addition to many SI offices. The incumbent will uphold the Smithsonian, National Air and Space Museum's philosophy, that the visitors' "first and last impression" of their experience at the Museum is positive.
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
The Visitor Services Coordinator has the following major responsibilities:
  • Support Visitor Services volunteer programs, including briefing volunteers at the Welcome Centers and managing museum floor operations.
  • Plan, manage, and implement all elements of Visitor Services operations.
  • Provide customer service for Museum visitors, staff, and volunteers.
  • Establish essential relationships and coordinate across the museum and greater Smithsonian to meet visitor and museum needs.
  • Provide direction and logistical management to a diverse group of people, establishing, implementing, and maintaining policies and procedures that ensure the smooth operation of the Visitor Services volunteer program.
  • Maintain records of all volunteer activity, and provide administrative support to all NASM volunteers.
  • Oversee timed-entry operations, providing customer service for the public and support for contract staff team members, at NASM's Washington, DC location.

QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS
Education (if positive education is required) and Experience:
Degree: Bachelor's degree that included or was supplemented by at least 24 semester hours in a field related to the work of the position.
OR Combination of Education and Experience: At least 24 semester hours in a field related to the work of the position. The experience must have demonstrated (1) a thorough knowledge of the principles underlying the work of this position, and (2) understanding, both theoretical and practical, of the methods and techniques applied in performing work in this position.
OR Specialized Experience: Three years of specialized experience, which include volunteer management and training in an informal education setting. This definition of specialized experience is typical of work performed at the next lower grade/level position in the federal service (GS-5 or above).
Experience required for this position is as follows:
  • Skill in providing services and assistance to visitors of a museum, education center, cultural or historical site, recreation site, or similar facility which receives large numbers of public visitors.
  • Knowledge and ability to manage and maintain large scale museum programming.
  • Knowledge of the logistical, legal and ethical issues associated with managing volunteers.
  • Ability to communicate verbally, and in writing, in a manner that is clear and easily understood by audiences of all ages, including an ability to meet and communicate with individuals from museums, cultural organizations, and businesses. Oral and written skills are leveraged to provide direction to volunteer staff via e-mail, briefings, presentations, and other methods as assigned.
  • Knowledge of NASM's programs and policies, sufficient to develop programs and visitor services that support initiatives of the Museum.
  • Knowledge of program goals, priorities, and commitments in the area of public service, sufficient to operate a volunteer program with maximum efficiency and effectiveness.
  • Problem solving skills exercising patience and tact, showing empathy but firmness in order to maintain Museum and Institution standards.
  • Knowledge and discretion in seeking the involvement of the professional staff of the Museum and in making use of the various Museums or Institutional facilities.
  • Working knowledge and skill of information technology in order to use computer applications to prepare communications, presentation materials, and reports.
  • Ability to de-escalate conflict with visitors regarding timed-entry requirements at the Museum's Washington, DC location.

Education completed outside the United States must be deemed equivalent to higher education programs of U.S. Institutions by an organization that specializes in the interpretation of foreign educational credentials. This documentation is the responsibility of the applicant and should be included as part of your application package.
Any false statement in your application may result in rejection of your application and may also result in termination after employment begins.
Join us in "Inspiring Generations through Knowledge and Discovery."
Resumes should include a description of your paid and non-paid work experience that is related to this job; starting and ending dates of job (month and year); and average number of hours worked per week.
What To Expect Next: Once the vacancy announcement closes, a review of your resume will be compared against the qualification and experience requirements related to this job. After review of applicant resumes is complete, qualified candidates will be referred to the hiring manager.
Relocation expenses are not paid.
The Smithsonian Institution provides reasonable accommodation to applicants with disabilities where appropriate. Applicants requiring reasonable accommodation should contact NASM-HR@SI.EDU. Determinations on requests for reasonable accommodation will be made on a case-by-case basis. To learn more, please review the Smithsonian's Accommodation Procedures.
The Smithsonian Institution is an Equal Opportunity Employer. To review The Smithsonian's EEO program information, please click the following: https://www.si.edu/oeo

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