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Museum Tour Guide Jobs in Ohio (NOW HIRING)

CMA

Lead Gallery Teacher

Cleveland, OH · On-site

$24.75/hr

The Lead Gallery Teacher at the Cleveland Museum of Art supports the museum's mission by ... Collaborate with the Coordinator of School Programs to schedule Gallery Teachers' tour assignments ...

All JobsMuseum Tour Guide JobsMuseum Tour Guide Jobs in Ohio

Museum Tour Guide information

See Ohio salary details

$7

$17

$31

How much do museum tour guide jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 17, 2026, the average hourly pay for museum tour guide in Ohio is $17.88, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $13.70 and $20.10 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a museum tour guide?

A Museum Tour Guide is responsible for leading visitors through museum exhibits, providing historical and contextual information about artifacts, and answering questions. They enhance the visitor experience by sharing engaging stories, facts, and insights. Guides may also assist with educational programs, special tours, and ensuring that museum rules are followed. Strong communication skills and knowledge of the museum's subject matter are essential for this role.

What does a museum tour guide do?

As a Museum Tour Guide, your day typically involves preparing for upcoming tours, delivering engaging presentations to groups of varying sizes, and answering visitor questions about exhibits. You may also help coordinate with museum staff to schedule tours, set up audio equipment, and sometimes assist in special events or educational programs. The role often involves standing or walking for extended periods and adapting your approach for different age groups or interests. Teamwork is important, as you’ll regularly communicate with curators, visitor services, and other guides to ensure a seamless guest experience. Flexibility and passion for the subject matter are key to making each tour informative and enjoyable.

What skills and qualifications are needed to be a museum tour guide?

To thrive as a Museum Tour Guide, you need strong communication skills, in-depth knowledge of art or history, and at least a high school diploma—though a relevant degree is often preferred. Familiarity with audio guide systems, tour scheduling software, and sometimes multilingual abilities are valuable assets. Excellent interpersonal skills, enthusiasm, and adaptability help guides engage diverse audiences and handle unexpected questions. These competencies are essential to create memorable, informative experiences that encourage visitor satisfaction and repeat attendance.

Are museum tour guides paid?

Yes, museum tour guides are typically paid employees or contractors who earn wages or hourly rates. Compensation varies depending on the museum, location, and experience, and some guides may also receive tips from visitors.

How can I get a job as a museum tour guide?

To become a museum tour guide, candidates typically need good communication skills, a strong interest in history or art, and often a high school diploma or equivalent. Some museums prefer or require guides to have prior experience, knowledge of the museum's collections, or relevant certifications, and may conduct interviews or training sessions before employment.

How do you become a museum tour guide?

To become a museum tour guide, candidates typically need a high school diploma or equivalent, strong communication skills, and knowledge of the museum's exhibits. Some positions require prior experience in customer service or education, and guides often undergo training provided by the museum to familiarize themselves with specific collections and tour protocols.

What are the most commonly searched types of Museum Tour Guide jobs in Ohio?

The most popular types of Museum Tour Guide jobs in Ohio are:

What are popular job titles related to Museum Tour Guide jobs in Ohio?

For Museum Tour Guide jobs in Ohio, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Museum Tour Guide jobs in Ohio look for?

The top searched job categories for Museum Tour Guide jobs in Ohio are:

What cities in Ohio are hiring for Museum Tour Guide jobs?

Cities in Ohio with the most Museum Tour Guide job openings:

Museum Tour Guide jobs near you
Infographic showing various Museum Tour Guide job openings in Ohio as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 100% Full Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $37,195 per year, or $17.9 per hour.

Newark Earthworks Volunteer

Ohio History Connection

Columbus, OH • On-site

Full-time

Re-posted 20 days ago

Job description


The Ohio History Connection's mission is to
Spark Discovery of Ohio's stories.
Embrace the present, share the past and transform the future.

Position: Volunteer, Newark Earthworks

Type: Volunteer

Schedule: Monday-Sunday 12:00pm-4:00pm

Location: Newark Earthworks

The Great Circle: 455 Hebron Rd., Heath, OH 43056

The Octagon Earthworks: 125 N. 33rd Street, Newark, OH 43055

Reports to: Interpretive Supervisor - Newark Earthworks

About Ohio History Connection:

The Ohio History Connection, formerly the Ohio Historical Society, is a statewide history organization with the mission to spark discovery of Ohio's stories. Chartered in 1885, the OHC carries out history services for Ohio and its citizens focused on preserving and sharing the state's history. This includes housing the state historic preservation office, the official state archives, local history office and managing more than 50 sites and museums across Ohio.

About The Newark Earthworks:

The Newark Earthworks are monuments created by American Indians 2,000 years ago during the Hopewell Cultural Period (~100 CE - 400 CE). The Newark Earthworks once consisted of 4.5 square miles of geometric earthen enclosures interconnected by parallel walls. The establishment and development of the city of Newark destroyed much of the earthwork in the mid to late 1800s. Two portions of the earthwork are almost perfectly

preserved: the Octagon Earthworks and the Great Circle. A small portion of the Wright Square is also intact. The Newark Earthworks along with six other Hopewell Ceremonial Earthworks were inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage list in 2023.

Summary:

Both the Octagon Earthworks and the Great Circle are open to the public daily. Our goal is to provide a great visitor experience to all who come to visit the site whether that be keeping the grounds and facilities looking their best, providing tours, or being a welcoming presence throughout the site. Volunteers at the Newark Earthworks may participate in a number of ways: picking up trash, raking garden beds, greeting visitors and answering questions, leading tours, assisting field trips and other educational or interpretive programming, or helping to set up for special events. Whatever your interest, we can find a job for you!

Essential Functions:

Greeter

Greeting visitors at the front desk of the museum.

Providing information and orientation to the site.

Answering questions about the Newark Earthworks and related earthwork sites.

Setting up the site(s) for special programming and events.

Providing support for special events and programming such as open houses.

Tour Guide/Docent

Answer visitor questions and/or lead them to more senior staff when they do not know the answer.

Tailor delivery of information to unique interests and backgrounds of diverse visitor groups including children, families, and adult learners.

Orient visitors to the museum and exhibits if the visitor desires it.

Lead interpretive tours of the Great Circle and/or Octagon

Keep up on recent interpretations of the site.

Aid and/or facilitate field trips and educational programs.

Monitor exhibits and interpretive materials to ensure they are in good condition and report any issues to the staff.

Grounds and Maintenance Volunteer

Rake, weed and water garden beds.

Assist maintenance crew with planting/harvesting of flowers and other plants.

Pick up litter in parking lots, picnic areas, and around the site in general.

Pick up sticks and small tree limbs.

Walk grounds regularly, record problems or potential problems and report them to the Maintenance Supervisor.

Required Education, Skills, Experience:

Must be at least 18 years or older. Family volunteer opportunities are available.

Required Competencies:

Passion for history and historic preservation.

Works well both independently and with and in support of colleagues to complete work.

Willingness to interact with visitors from various backgrounds and knowledge bases.

Good verbal communication skills

Other Requirements:

Must complete a background check and internship onboarding paperwork

Must create and account, log volunteer hours and sign up for internship shifts via Track It Forward

Docents, Greeters, and Tour Guides must undergo an interpretation training led by the Interpretive Supervisor and/or Site Manager.

Education and Experience Outcomes:

Volunteers will learn and appreciate the complexity, ingenuity, knowledge, and resilience of American Indian tribes that once called the land that is now Ohio their ancestral homeland.

Volunteers will receive training for their roles, including informal interpretive training focusing on providing information in an engaging and relatable way so that visitors may leave retaining information they learned or with a memorable experience.

Volunteers will learn and appreciate how the natural environment impacts the way people live and shape the landscapes around them.

Application Instructions

To apply, visit www/ohiohistory.org/jobs and use the Applicant Tracking System to apply. Include resume, cover letter, and applicable application materials. For questions and accommodations, email applicant@ohiohistory.org or call 614-297-2500

Apply