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Museum Technician Jobs (NOW HIRING)

City of Mesa

Museum Exhibitions Coordinator

Mesa, AZ · On-site

$64K - $88K/yr

This classification may supervise the Museum Exhibits Preparator and/or the Museum Exhibits Technician classifications, as well as temporary agency personnel and volunteers. This class performs ...

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Museum Technician information

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$31.5K

$44.2K

$56K

How much do museum technician jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 17, 2026, the average yearly pay for museum technician in the United States is $44,195.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $38,500.00 and $48,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a museum technician?

A museum technician helps prepare objects or exhibits in a museum. They are sometimes trained in conservation methods and are responsible for handling artifacts and storing objects. Job duties may include installing displays, cleaning items, or preparing artifacts for shipment. Museum technicians usually have a background in art history or education. Similar jobs can be found as conservation technicians and art conservators.

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

To thrive as a Museum Technician, you need a background in museum studies, art history, or a related field, along with hands-on experience in artifact handling and preservation. Familiarity with collection management software, conservation tools, and environmental monitoring systems is typically required. Attention to detail, problem-solving abilities, and effective communication are valuable soft skills in this role. These skills ensure the proper care, documentation, and display of collections, which are critical for preserving cultural heritage and supporting museum operations.

What are some common challenges museum technicians face when handling and installing artifacts?

Museum Technicians often encounter challenges such as safely transporting delicate or oversized artifacts, maintaining proper environmental conditions, and ensuring that each item is displayed securely while remaining accessible for exhibition or research. They must carefully follow handling protocols to prevent damage and may need to collaborate closely with curators, conservators, and exhibit designers to meet both preservation and display requirements. Attention to detail, patience, and strong communication skills are essential to effectively address these challenges and ensure the integrity of the museum's collection.

What is the difference between Museum Technician vs Museum Curator?

AspectMuseum TechnicianMuseum Curator
Required CredentialsHigh school diploma or associate's degree, technical trainingBachelor's or master's degree in history, archaeology, or related field
Work EnvironmentLaboratory, storage, exhibit setup areasOffice, gallery, research, and collection management spaces
Primary ResponsibilitiesMaintaining collections, installing exhibits, conservation supportResearch, acquisition, exhibit planning, public education

In summary, Museum Technicians focus on maintaining collections and supporting exhibit setup, often with technical training. Museum Curators handle research, collection development, and public engagement, typically requiring advanced degrees. Both roles are essential in a museum setting but differ in scope and responsibilities.

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Museum Technician jobs near you
Infographic showing various Museum Technician job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 84% Full Time, 11% Part Time, 3% Contract, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 99% Physical, and 1% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $44,195 per year, or $21.2 per hour.

Museum Specialist (Collection Processing Unit) - IS-1016-11

Smithsonian Institution

Chantilly, VA • On-site

$85K - $96K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement

Posted 6 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

Museum Specialist (Collection Processing Unit) - IS-1016-11
Application Deadline: 25 August 2026
Department: National Air and Space Museum
Employment Type: Full Time
Location: Chantilly, VA
Reporting To: Supervisory Museum Specialist
Compensation: $85,447 - $96,843 / year
Description
OPEN DATE: August 12, 2026
CLOSING DATE: August 25, 2026
POSITION TYPE: Trust Fund
APPOINTMENT TYPE: Indefinite
SCHEDULE: Full Time
DUTY LOCATION: Chantilly, VA
Position sensitivity and risk:
Non-Sensitive (NS)/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
This position is located in the Collections Processing Unit (CPU), National Air and Space Museum (NASM) on the National Mall (NMB), and the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center (UHC) in Chantilly, VA and the Paul E. Garber Restoration Facility in Suitland, MD which is responsible for properly protecting the National Collections of Aeronautics and Space Artifacts in perpetuity, guaranteeing intellectual as well as physical control over those collections.
The purpose of this position is to support the handling, packing, storage, shipment, maintenance, and preservation of artifacts within the National Collection. The incumbent serves as both a skilled member of the unit and a project team lead, coordinating and directing the work of lower-graded museum technicians and specialists engaged in the handling, storage, shipping, maintenance, preservation, and exhibition of National Collection artifacts.
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
  • Perform tasks of a technical nature in support of collections management. Works with a crew of museum technicians and specialists that are responsible for the packing, handling, moving, transporting, storing, and monitoring of artifacts such as airplanes, helicopters, aircraft engines, missiles, cannons, guns, spacecraft, satellites, spacesuits, uniforms, art, and other related aeronautical and space objects, many times serving as the team leader for such projects.
  • Routinely makes use of the museum's computerized collections information system, The Museum System. This includes creating specific artifact records, adding information to those record, and working with the Curatorial Departments and other units of the Collections Department to keep records up to date.
  • Disassemble, assemble, load, unload, secure, crate, or cradle aforementioned types of artifacts. These tasks require the incumbent to design and construction cradles, dollies, and other supports necessary to ensure safe handling, movement, and storage of the artifacts. Performs all types of artifact handling operations, including de/installations, which require the operation of trucks, tractor-trailers, hoists, forklifts and similar equipment.
  • Articulate and communicate to the team the assignment, project, problem to be solved, actionable events, milestones, and/or issues under review, and deadlines and time frames for completion.

QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS
To qualify for the IS-11 based on experience, applicants must possess at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the IS/GS-09 grade level. Qualifying experience must include:
  • Experience handling large (such as 20' x 10' in size) aerospace artifacts, including techniques for packing, unpacking, and physically moving objects in regards to understanding appropriate environmental conditions, security protocols, and preventive conservation measures to ensure the safety and preservation of the artifacts during handling and transportation.
  • Experience researching local and international regulations governing artifact transportation, including customs requirements, import/export permits, and cultural heritage protection laws.
  • Experience packing and crating artifacts for transportation, considering their fragility, size, and material composition while selecting appropriate packing materials, such as acid-free tissue paper, foam, or padding, and using proper techniques to create protective enclosures or crates.

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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