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Museum Tour Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Cast Crew Member

Pigeon Forge, TN

$11 - $14.50/hr

Provide guest assistance throughout museum tour by answering questions regarding our artifacts and introducing Titanic trivia unheard of by the general public. * Assist with special events held at ...

Cast Crew Member

Pigeon Forge, TN ยท On-site

$11 - $14.50/hr

Provide guest assistance throughout museum tour by answering questions regarding our artifacts and introducing Titanic trivia unheard of by the general public. * Assist with special events held at ...

Cast Crew Member

Pigeon Forge, TN ยท On-site

$11 - $14.50/hr

Provide guest assistance throughout museum tour by answering questions regarding our artifacts and introducing Titanic trivia unheard of by the general public. * Assist with special events held at ...

Tour Guide

Los Angeles, CA ยท On-site

$20/hr

The Museum of Tolerance Los Angeles, founded in 1993, is the educational arm of the SWC. Moriah ... The Museum of Tolerance is seeking an experienced, energetic and engaging Part Time Tour Guides to ...

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Museum Tour information

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How much do museum tour jobs pay per hour?

As of Jul 15, 2026, the average hourly pay for museum tour in the United States is $18.81, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $14.42 and $21.15 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is the highest paying job at a museum?

The highest paying job at a museum is typically the museum director or executive director, who oversees operations, budgets, and strategic planning. These roles often require extensive experience, advanced degrees, and strong leadership skills, and they can earn six-figure salaries depending on the institution's size and funding.

What does a museum tour guide do?

A museum tour guide leads visitors through museum exhibits, providing information about the collections and answering questions. They make the museum experience engaging and educational by sharing stories, historical context, and interesting facts about the displays. Museum tour guides often tailor their presentations to suit different audiences, such as children, students, or adults, and help visitors gain a deeper appreciation for art, history, or science. Their role also includes ensuring visitors follow museum rules and may involve organizing group tours or special events.

What is the difference between Museum Tour vs Museum Educator?

AspectMuseum TourMuseum Educator
CredentialsHigh school diploma or equivalent; training in museum exhibitsBachelor's degree in education, history, or related field; often additional certifications
Work EnvironmentGuided tours with visitors, often in public spacesEducational programs, workshops, and visitor engagement in museum settings
Employer & Industry UsageMuseums, historical sites, cultural institutionsMuseums, educational institutions, cultural organizations
Common Search & ComparisonTour guiding, visitor servicesEducational programming, visitor engagement

While both Museum Tours and Museum Educators work within museums, Museum Tours primarily involve guiding visitors through exhibits and providing information during scheduled tours. Museum Educators develop and deliver educational programs, workshops, and interactive activities to enhance visitor understanding. The roles overlap in visitor interaction but differ in scope and focus, with Museum Educators often requiring more formal education credentials.

What are some common challenges faced by museum tour guides, and how can they be addressed?

Museum tour guides often encounter challenges such as engaging diverse audiences, managing large groups, and answering unexpected questions. Adapting communication styles to suit different age groups and backgrounds is key to keeping tours informative and enjoyable. Time management is also crucial, as guides need to cover essential exhibits within scheduled timeframes. Ongoing training, collaboration with museum educators, and staying updated on collection information can help guides overcome these challenges and deliver memorable experiences.

Is it hard to get hired at a museum?

Getting hired as a museum tour guide or staff member can be competitive, often requiring good communication skills, knowledge of exhibits, and sometimes prior experience or education in related fields. Many positions also prefer candidates with customer service experience and a friendly demeanor, and some roles may require background checks or certifications. The difficulty varies depending on the museum's size, location, and staffing needs.

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 museums prefer guides with a background in history, art, or education, and may require training or certification specific to the institution. Experience in public speaking or customer service can also be beneficial.

What qualifications do I need to work at a museum?

Museum tour guides typically need a high school diploma or equivalent, strong communication skills, and knowledge of the exhibits. Some positions may require prior experience in customer service or education, and familiarity with museum collections can be beneficial. Certifications are not usually required but can enhance job prospects.

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

To thrive as a Museum Tour Guide, you need a strong background in history or art, excellent public speaking abilities, and a passion for education, often supported by a relevant degree or prior experience. Familiarity with audio-visual equipment, digital ticketing systems, and sometimes foreign languages is beneficial. Exceptional interpersonal skills, enthusiasm, and adaptability help guides engage diverse audiences and handle unexpected situations. These skills ensure informative, enjoyable, and memorable experiences for museum visitors, enhancing the institution's reputation and educational mission.
More about Museum Tour jobs
What cities are hiring for Museum Tour jobs? Cities with the most Museum Tour job openings:
What states have the most Museum Tour jobs? States with the most job openings for Museum Tour jobs include:
Museum Educator (Part-time)

Museum Educator (Part-time)

International Center of Photography

Manhattan, NY โ€ข On-site

$31 - $36/hr

Part-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement

Posted 15 days ago


Job description

About ICP
The International Center of Photography (ICP) is the world's leading institution dedicated to photography and visual culture. Through our exhibitions, education, public programs, and community outreach, we offer an open forum for dialogue about the power of the image. Since our founding in 1974, we have presented more than 700 exhibitions and offered thousands of classes, providing instruction at every level. Our integrated center on the Lower East Side brings together our museum and school in one space, serving as the cultural anchor of Essex Crossing.
Position Summary
The Museum Educator plays a key role in delivering engaging, accessible, and inclusive learning experiences that connect visitors of all ages to ICP's exhibitions and mission. This position develops and facilitates gallery tours, hands-on educational programs, workshops, and other interpretive experiences for school groups, community organizations, higher education partners, and the general public.
Working closely with the Senior Manager of Youth Programs, School & Tour Programs Coordinator, Curatorial, Public Engagement, and other cross-functional teams, the Museum Educator helps bring each exhibition to life through inquiry-based teaching, thoughtful interpretation, and audience engagement. This role also contributes to the development of educational resources, accessibility initiatives, and programs that deepen visitors' understanding of photography and visual culture.
The ideal candidate is an enthusiastic educator and confident public speaker with experience teaching diverse audiences, a strong foundation in photography or visual culture, and a passion for creating welcoming and meaningful museum experiences
Requirements
Museum Education & Public Programs
  • Develop and facilitate engaging gallery tours and educational experiences for K-12 students, higher education groups, community organizations, and public audiences.
  • Lead public exhibition tours, private guided visits, and hands-on learning experiences that encourage dialogue, observation, and creative engagement.
  • Adapt teaching approaches to meet the needs of diverse audiences, learning styles, ages, and accessibility needs.
  • Collaborate with the Senior Manager of Youth Programs, Curatorial team, and Public Engagement team to develop exhibition interpretation and educational content for each exhibition cycle.
  • Support the development and facilitation of public programs, workshops, and other educational initiatives as assigned.

Program Development & Educational Resources
  • Develop educational materials that support museum learning, including gallery activities, educator resources, lesson plans, and interpretive materials.
  • Collaborate on accessibility initiatives, including audio guides and other visitor resources that increase access to exhibitions.
  • Research current museum education practices and contribute ideas for new educational programming and visitor engagement strategies.
  • Support ICP's Educator Open House and other outreach initiatives designed to strengthen relationships with schools and educators.

School & Community Partnerships
  • Collaborate with the School & Tour Programs Coordinator to support K-12 school visits, pre-visit planning, and guided group experiences.
  • Conduct pre-visit meetings with teachers and school partners as needed.
  • Maintain positive relationships with educators, community organizations, artists, and institutional partners.
  • Serve as an ambassador for ICP while delivering an exceptional visitor experience.

Program Operations & Collaboration
  • Coordinate with Visitor Experience, Education, Curatorial, Operations, Marketing, and other departments to ensure successful program delivery.
  • Support program setup, visitor arrival, facilitation, and breakdown.
  • Assist with maintaining tour schedules, educational calendars, and ticketing information as needed.
  • Review participant feedback and program evaluations to inform future program development.
  • Maintain clear and timely communication with colleagues and external partners.
  • Perform other duties as assigned.

Education & Experience Requirements
  • Bachelor's degree or equivalent professional experience in Art Education, Museum Studies, Art History, Photography, Visual Culture, Arts Administration, or a related field.
  • Minimum two years of experience in museum education, arts education, teaching, public programming, or a related educational setting.
  • Experience facilitating educational programs for youth and adult audiences.
  • Strong knowledge of photography, photographic processes, and/or visual culture.
  • Experience developing educational materials, lesson plans, gallery activities, or curriculum preferred.
  • Experience teaching photography or visual arts preferred.
  • Experience supporting accessibility initiatives or inclusive educational programming is a plus.

Competencies
  • Outstanding public speaking and facilitation skills.
  • Strong written and verbal communication skills.
  • Ability to build positive relationships with students, educators, colleagues, artists, and visitors.
  • Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail.
  • Ability to work both independently and collaboratively in a fast-paced environment.
  • Creative, flexible, and learner-centered approach to teaching.
  • Commitment to diversity, equity, accessibility, and inclusion.
  • Language skills, particularly Spanish, Mandarin, or Cantonese, are a plus.

Working Conditions
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met to successfully perform the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
  • Ability to remain stationary for extended periods while facilitating programs or preparing materials.
  • Ability to move throughout museum galleries, classrooms, and public spaces for extended periods.
  • Ability to occasionally lift and move educational materials and equipment weighing up to 25 pounds, and occasionally up to 50 pounds.
  • Ability to work occasional evenings and weekends to support museum programs and special events.

Compensation & Benefits
Compensation Range: $31.00 - $36.00 per hour
ICP offers a comprehensive benefits package for eligible part-time employees, including:
  • Medical, dental, and vision coverage (with employer contributions and HRA support, where eligible)
  • Employer-paid life insurance, short- and long-term disability, and Employee Assistance Program
  • 403(b) retirement plan with employer match of up to 5% after one year of eligible service
  • Pre-tax commuter benefits and flexible spending accounts
  • Paid sick leave and applicable paid holidays
  • Free or discounted museum admission, staff discounts, and access to employee perks programs
  • Professional development opportunities, including tuition-free ICP courses and discounted education programs for employees and eligible dependents

Applications will be accepted through Wednesday, July 22, 2026, at 11:59 PM (ET).
Required Application Materials
  • Resume
  • Cover letter (maximum one page). Applications submitted without a cover letter will not be considered.

Your cover letter should address the following:
  • A brief description of your teaching philosophy.
  • A brief overview of your photography technical skills, areas of expertise, and the themes or styles you are prepared to teach.
  • A summary of your previous teaching experience, particularly as it relates to photography education.
Additional Required Materials
As part of your application, please submit examples of educational materials you have developed for previous teaching or public programs. These should be materials from your past work and do not need to be created specifically for this application. Please include:
  • Two sample lesson plans.
  • Two to three teaching activity worksheets, zines, or other gallery- or classroom-based engagement materials.

The International Center of Photography is committed to equal opportunity employment. We believe that diversity, equity, and inclusion are values integral to offering an open forum for dialogue around photography and visual culture that is open to all. Through this lens, we strive to engage, educate, and inspire our visitors, students, employees, and community.
Salary Description
$31-$36/hour