ZipRecruiter

Log In

1

Museum Jobs in Reston, VA (NOW HIRING)

Smithsonian Institution

Museum Specialist

Washington, DC · On-site +1

$121K - $158K/yr

Summary The Smithsonian Institution is the world's largest museum, education, and research complex, with 21 museums and the National Zoo. This position is organizationally located in Collections ...

Smithsonian Institution

Museum Specialist

Washington, DC · On-site +1

$85K - $111K/yr

Summary The Smithsonian Institution is the world's largest museum, education, and research complex, with 21 museums and the National Zoo. This position is located in Curatorial Office, Smithsonian ...

Smithsonian Institution

Museum Technician

Washington, DC · On-site +1

$57K - $75K/yr

The National Museum of Natural History (NMNH) is a major bureau of the Smithsonian Institution that is responsible for the acquisition, curation, and preservation of collections of objects and ...

National Gallery of Art

Museum Specialist

Washington, DC · On-site +1

$121K - $187K/yr

Degree: museum work; or in an applicable subject-matter field. OR 2. Combination of education and experience courses equivalent to a major, as shown in 1 above, plus appropriate experience or ...

next page

Showing results 1-20

All JobsMuseum JobsMuseum Jobs in Reston, VA

Museum information

See Reston, VA salary details

$32.8K

$46K

$58.3K

How much do museum jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 8, 2026, the average yearly pay for museum in Reston, VA is $45,979.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $40,100.00 and $50,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

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.

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.

What are careers in museums?

Careers in museums include roles such as curators, archivists, education coordinators, conservators, and museum technicians. These positions often require knowledge of history, art, or science, along with skills in research, preservation, and public engagement. Many roles also benefit from relevant degrees and experience with collections management tools.

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.

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 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 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.

Is it hard to get a job in a museum?

Getting a job in a museum can be competitive, especially for positions such as curators or educators, which often require relevant education, experience, or specialized skills. Entry-level roles may be more accessible, but candidates typically need knowledge of art, history, or collections management, along with strong communication skills. Networking and internships can improve chances of employment in this field.

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.
More about Museum jobs
What are the most commonly searched types of Museum jobs in Reston, VA? The most popular types of Museum jobs in Reston, VA are:
What job categories do people searching Museum jobs in Reston, VA look for? The top searched job categories for Museum jobs in Reston, VA are:
What cities near Reston, VA are hiring for Museum jobs? Cities near Reston, VA with the most Museum job openings:
Museum jobs near you
Infographic showing various Museum job openings in Reston, VA as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 7% Internship, 70% Full Time, 19% Part Time, and 4% Contract. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $45,979 per year, or $22.1 per hour.

Museum Fellow, Curatorial

The George Washington University

Washington, DC • On-site

$21.80 - $28.32/hr

Other

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement

Re-posted 25 days ago

George Washington University rating

8.4

Company rating: 8.4 out of 10

Based on 17 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

95th of 616 rated colleges and universities

Job description

Museum Fellow, Curatorial

The Textile Museum Collection, founded in 1925 and now housed at The George Washington University Museum and The Textile Museum, is a world-renowned textile arts collection comprised of 21,000 objects drawn primarily from the Asian, African, and indigenous American cultures of the last five millennia. The Textile Museum's mission is to expand public knowledge and appreciation—locally, nationally, and internationally—of the artistic merits and cultural importance of the world's textiles. Through exhibitions, programs, and academic courses, the Museum integrates with diverse disciplines to enrich research, education, and cultural understanding of textile arts both across and beyond The George Washington University (GW). The museum also strengthens the established reputation of the University as a leader in training the next generation of museum professionals and textile scholars.

The purpose of The Textile Museum (TM) Curatorial Fellowship is to support the quality, vitality, and diversity of research in textile studies and strengthen the curators' intellectual care of the textile collection. This includes conducting independent collections research and interpretation of the textile collection for exhibitions, publications, and other ways of knowledge dissemination, alongside building academic and popular interest in textile studies. This fellowship is intended to provide full-time support for the department through the above activities and is not a completion fellowship for the purpose of finishing a dissertation or thesis.

TM Curatorial Fellow undertakes primary and secondary collections-based research at The Textile Museum Collection and is typically an advanced doctoral student or post-doctoral researcher who received their Ph.D. within the past two years, and whose research interest corresponds to The Textile Museum Collection and its current research goals.

Fellowship Expectations

TM Curatorial Fellow is expected to:

  • Present one talk related to their research to a scholarly community and at least one public lecture based on their research to the museum community.
  • Write a full-length article for The Textile Museum Journal based on their research findings in The Textile Museum Collection, no later than the year their appointment is completed.
  • Bring up-to-date curatorial information for The Textile Museum objects in their research area.
  • Participate in curatorial meetings, events, and seminars.

TM Curatorial Fellow is encouraged to:

  • Contribute to the development of museum strategies for the dissemination of scholarly information, including electronic means to strengthen the institution's scholarly role and visibility.
  • Engage with the scholarly community and contribute to other museum-generated scholarly initiatives.

At the end of their appointment, the TM Curatorial Fellow must deliver a final report to the Director of The George Washington University Museum and The Textile Museum and the Chief Curator of The Textile Museum Collection detailing the work accomplished during the appointment.

The TM Curatorial Fellow appointment is a 1-year appointment with one renewal option and generally runs from September 1 to August 31. Individuals may hold an appointment for no more than two consecutive years. Work will be equally divided between the Avenir Foundation Conservation and Collections Resource Center on the Virginia Science and Technology campus (Ashburn, VA) and at GW's Foggy Bottom campus, where the Museum and resource libraries are located.

Performs other duties as assigned. The omission of specific duties does not preclude the supervisor from assigning duties that are logically related to the position.

Minimum Qualifications:

Qualified candidates for the Collections, and Conservation Fellowships will hold a Master's degree in a relevant area of study. Qualified candidates for the Cotsen Fellowships will hold a Master's degree OR will be pursuing a PhD degree in a relevant area of study. Qualified candidates for The Textile Museum Curatorial Fellowship will be pursuing a PhD degree or hold a PhD in a relevant area of study completed within the past two years.

Preferred Qualifications:

Preferred candidates for The Textile Museum Curatorial Fellowship will be pursuing a PhD degree or hold a PhD in a relevant area of study completed within the past two years. In the current fellowship cycle, applicants with a background in textiles from Mexico or Southeast Asia are desired, but not required.

Hiring Range - $21.80 - $28.32

GW Staff Approach to Pay - How is pay for new employees determined at GW?

Healthcare Benefits

GW offers a comprehensive benefit package that includes medical, dental, vision, life & disability insurance, time off & leave, retirement savings, tuition, well-being and various voluntary benefits. For program details and eligibility, please visit https://hr.gwu.edu/benefits-programs.

What George Washington University employees say

Pay

Benefits

Hours and flexibility

Workplace

Get the full story on Breakroom

George Washington University logo

About George Washington University

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

George Washington University (GWU) is not a traditional company, but an esteemed hub of higher education nestled in the heart of Washington, DC, US. Established in 1821 through an Act of Congress, fulfilling George Washington's vision of an institution in the nation's capital dedicated to educating future leaders. Within the education sector, the university provides a range of products and services, such as undergraduate degrees, graduate degrees, and various research programs across diverse disciplines. The university is guided by the core values of learning, communication, community, diversity, excellence, respect, service, and teamwork.

Industry

Colleges, universities, and professional schools

Company size

1,001 - 5,000 Employees

Headquarters location

Washington, DC, US

Year founded

1821

Social media

FacebookTwitter

View All George Washington University Jobs

Apply