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Museum Jobs in Virginia (NOW HIRING)

Wlu

Art Museum Education Fellowship

Lexington, VA · On-site

$62K - $71K/yr

The Art Museum at Washington and Lee University is offering a nine-month Museum Education Fellowship designed for a museum professional seeking to build expertise in gallery education, faculty ...

Smithsonian Institution

Museum Specialist

Chantilly, VA · On-site +1

$57K - $111K/yr

Learn more about this agency Duties Help The Museum Specialist (General) serves to carry out collections management activities, including developing and implementing procedures to be followed by ...

Smithsonian Institution

Museum Specialist

Chantilly, VA · On-site +1

$57K - $111K/yr

This position is located in the National Air & Space Museum/Collections Processing Unit (CPU). The Collections Processing Unit is responsible for protecting the National Collections of Aeronautics ...

Wlu

Art Museum Operations Assistant

Lexington, VA · On-site

$19.50/hr

The Art Museum Operations Assistant supports daily operations, museum programming, external reservation-related coordination, and supports exhibition preparation at the Art Museum. Reporting to the ...

Wlu

Museum Visitor Services Attendant

Lexington, VA · On-site

$17/hr

This position ensures a positive and welcoming Museum experience and environment for guests and demonstrates the highest level of customer service, remaining professional, personable, and engaging to ...

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All JobsMuseum JobsMuseum Jobs in Virginia

Museum information

See Virginia salary details

$31.2K

$43.8K

$55.5K

How much do museum jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 14, 2026, the average yearly pay for museum in Virginia is $43,816.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $38,200.00 and $48,100.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a museum?

A museum is an institution that collects, preserves, and displays objects of historical, cultural, artistic, or scientific significance for public education and enjoyment. People who work in museums may serve in a variety of roles, such as curators who manage collections, educators who develop learning programs, conservators who preserve artifacts, and administrators who oversee operations. Their work helps to safeguard heritage, provide valuable research, and create engaging experiences for visitors.

What are different careers at a museum?

Different careers at a museum include archive work, curatorial jobs, and museum security, as just some examples. As a curator, your duties are to curate a museum’s permanent collections and work with museum workers from other institutions to develop new exhibits, tours, and shows. Archivists catalog and prepare artifacts and works of art for the exhibit, clean and restore old pieces, and train new museum workers. Careers with customer service and security responsibilities, such as working at the ticketing office or as gallery security require you to interact with the public and ensure the rules are followed in the museum.

What are some common challenges faced by museum professionals in curatorial roles?

Museum professionals in curatorial roles often encounter challenges such as balancing the preservation of artifacts with the need for public accessibility, managing limited budgets for exhibitions, and staying updated with evolving digital technologies for collection management. Additionally, curators frequently collaborate with educators, conservators, and external partners to develop engaging exhibits that appeal to diverse audiences. Navigating these responsibilities requires strong project management skills, interdisciplinary teamwork, and a passion for both scholarship and public engagement.

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

To thrive as a Museum Curator, you need a solid background in art history, cultural studies, or museum studies, often supported by an advanced degree and relevant experience. Familiarity with collection management systems, digital cataloging tools, and conservation techniques is typically required. Exceptional organizational skills, attention to detail, and strong communication abilities help curators engage audiences and manage collections effectively. These skills are vital for preserving artifacts, curating compelling exhibits, and ensuring the museum's educational and cultural mission is fulfilled.

What is the difference between Museum vs Archivist?

AspectMuseumArchivist
CredentialsTypically requires a degree in museum studies, history, or related fieldsRequires a degree in library science, archival studies, or related fields
Work EnvironmentMuseums, cultural institutions, educational settingsArchives, libraries, historical repositories
Industry UsageUsed in cultural, educational, and historical sectorsUsed in historical, governmental, and corporate sectors
Job FocusCurating exhibits, educational programs, public engagementPreserving, organizing, and managing archival records

While both Museum professionals and Archivists work with historical and cultural materials, Museum staff focus on curation, public education, and exhibit management, whereas Archivists specialize in preserving and organizing records for long-term access. Understanding these differences helps in choosing the right career path or job search focus.

Can I get a job at a museum?

Yes, museum jobs include roles such as curators, educators, conservators, and administrative staff. These positions often require relevant education, experience, and skills in areas like history, art, or science, and may involve working with exhibits, collections, or visitors.

How do you get to work in a museum?

To work in a museum, candidates typically need relevant education or experience in fields like art, history, or education. Job seekers should search for openings through museum websites, job boards, or local employment agencies, and may need to demonstrate skills such as customer service, organization, or knowledge of exhibits. Many museum jobs also require background checks and adherence to safety protocols.

What are the different jobs in a museum?

Museum jobs include curators who manage collections, archivists who preserve records, educators who develop programs, conservators who restore artifacts, security staff, visitor services associates, and administrative personnel. These roles require various skills, certifications, and knowledge of museum operations and preservation techniques.

What roles are there in a museum?

Museum roles include curators who manage collections, educators who develop programs, conservators who preserve artifacts, registrars who handle documentation, security staff, and administrative personnel. These positions require specific skills, certifications, and knowledge of museum operations and collections management.
More about Museum jobs

What are the most commonly searched types of Museum jobs in Virginia?

The most popular types of Museum jobs in Virginia are:

What are popular job titles related to Museum jobs in Virginia?

For Museum jobs in Virginia, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Museum jobs in Virginia look for?

The top searched job categories for Museum jobs in Virginia are:

What cities in Virginia are hiring for Museum jobs?

Cities in Virginia with the most Museum job openings:

Museum jobs near you
Infographic showing various Museum job openings in Virginia as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 100% Part Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $43,816 per year, or $21.1 per hour.

Art Museum Education Fellowship

Lexington, VA • On-site

Washington and Lee University
Education • 501 - 1,000 employees
Learn more about Washington and Lee Universityexternal

$62K - $71K/yr

Full-time

Posted 6 days ago

Washington and Lee University rating

9.0

Company rating: 9.0 out of 10

Based on 6 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

Job description

Job Description:
The Art Museum at Washington and Lee University is offering a nine-month Museum Education Fellowship designed for a museum professional seeking to build expertise in gallery education, faculty collaboration, and object-based teaching.
The Fellow will develop practical skills in four areas of museum education: visual thinking strategies, object-based learning, interpretation, and audience engagement, while leading university class sessions across a wide range of collection areas. The Fellow will work closely with engagement staff and curators and will participate fully in the intellectual life of the campus community.
This is a nine-month fellowship, with the possibility of extension. The role is an in-person position that requires a regular on-campus presence, including evenings and weekends as needed.
The Art Museum spans multiple sites, including the Reeves Museum of Ceramics, Watson Galleries, and McCarthy Gallery. Its holdings include 15,000 objects ranging from early American portraits and European paintings to significant works on paper, photographs, and sculptures. The collection traces its origins to a bequest in 1875, when six portraits of American statesmen laid the foundation of the art collection. It has since grown to include works by artists Elizabeth Catlett, Fernando Botero, Jacob Lawrence, Tsherin Sherpa, Mohammed Omer Khalil, William Christenberry, Sam Gilliam, Sally Mann, Charles Willson Peale, Gilbert Stuart, and Andy Warhol. Additionally, the museum boasts a substantial collection of Chinese export porcelain, ceramics spanning four centuries, East Asian prints, scrolls, and decorative arts, highlighting its global scope.
To achieve our mission as a liberal arts university, we continually strive to foster a welcoming campus community, which recognizes the value of all persons. Our department is committed to contributing to an educational environment that is rich with a wide range of intellectual perspectives and backgrounds.
Essential Functions:
  • Leads and facilitates discussion-based class sessions in the museum galleries, with direct object handling of works from the permanent collection.
  • Assists faculty in selecting artworks for class sessions.
  • Facilitates faculty and student access to exhibitions and collections.
  • Gains supervisory experience by helping coordinate museum assistants supporting educational programs.
  • Builds familiarity with evolving pedagogical approaches, accessibility standards, and visitor engagement strategies through demonstrated practice.
  • Contributes to data collection and evaluation of educational programs.
  • Builds a portfolio of close-looking lesson plans and leads sessions throughout the fellowship.
  • Assists with museum programming that engages exhibitions and the permanent collection.
  • Other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications:
  • Master's degree in art history, studio art, museum education, or a related discipline.
  • A minimum of one year of hands-on experience leading tours and educational programs in museums. Relevant professional experience includes leading sessions or teaching college students in library settings, special collections, archives, or galleries.
  • Experience or demonstrated coursework handling original works of art or material culture objects.
  • Demonstrated knowledge of art history and visual literacy, with the ability to interpret and teach from original works of art. Interest in or exposure to American portraiture, ceramics and material culture, or works on paper is a plus.
  • Ability to make interdisciplinary connections and foster engagement with a variety of collections.
  • Excellent communication, collaboration, and facilitation skills.
  • Demonstrated ability to manage multiple priorities, working both independently and under mentorship.
  • Ability to work during evening and weekend hours, as needed.
  • Ability to lift, carry, and safely handle museum objects; comfort kneeling, standing, and working in gallery environments for extended periods.

Application Instructions
Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled. Required materials include:
  • Cover letter
  • Resume
  • Names and contact information for three professional references

Application instructions for internal and external candidates can be found at https://www.wlu.edu/employment-opportunities/jobs-at-w-l.
Position Type:
Exempt, Full Time, Benefit Eligible - Fixed Term (Fixed Term)
Compensation:
The expected annual salary for this posting is between $62,000 - $71,000. Offers are based on factors such as qualifications, relevant experience, skills, internal equity, and market and organizational considerations.
Washington and Lee University also offers a generous and comprehensive benefits package designed to support the well-being of employees and their families. To learn more about working at W&L, benefits, and life in the Shenandoah Valley, visit jobs.wlu.edu.
Washington and Lee is an Equal Opportunity Employer seeking candidates committed to high standards of scholarship, performance, professionalism, and to a welcoming campus community. Job description requirements are representative, but not all-inclusive of the knowledge, skill, and abilities needed to successfully perform this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

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