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Museum Jobs in Reston, VA (NOW HIRING)

Museum Curator

Washington, DC · On-site +1

$85K - $133K/yr

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

Museum Curator

Washington, DC · On-site +1

$85K - $133K/yr

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

Salary: $50,000 - $55,000 About KID Museum KID Museum is the nations leading educational makerspace for youth. Our mission is to revolutionize how kids learn through the maker experience. Through ...

About KID Museum KID Museum is the nation's leading educational makerspace for youth. Our mission is to revolutionize how kids learn through the maker experience. Through hands-on programming and ...

Maker Educator

Bethesda, MD · On-site

$50K - $55K/yr

About KID Museum KID Museum is the nation's leading educational makerspace for youth. Our mission is to revolutionize how kids learn through the maker experience. Through hands-on programming and ...

Maker Educator

Bethesda, MD · On-site

$50K - $55K/yr

About KID Museum KID Museum is the nation's leading educational makerspace for youth. Our mission is to revolutionize how kids learn through the maker experience. Through hands-on programming and ...

Museum Specialist

Washington, DC · On-site +1

$121K - $187K/yr

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

Museum Supervisor

Alexandria, VA

$18.50 - $25.50/hr

The Museum Supervisor is responsible for managing the daily operations of the Carlyle House Museum and ensuring an engaging experience for visitors. The Supervisor is an integral part of the museum ...

Showing results 21-40

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.
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:
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 Curator

National Gallery of Art

Washington, DC • On-site, Remote

$85K - $133K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Life, Retirement

Posted 18 days ago


Job description

Summary
The National Gallery of Art welcomes all people to explore art, creativity, and our shared humanity. Millions of people come through our doors each year, with even more online, making us one of the most visited art museums in the world. Our renowned collection includes over 160,000 works of art, from the ancient world to today. Admission to the West and East Buildings, Sculpture Garden, special exhibitions, and public programs is always free.
Learn more about this agency
Duties
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The Division of Prints and Drawings at the National Gallery of Art is responsible for the care, study, display, and expansion of a world-class collection of some 120,000 works-prints, drawings, artists' books, and ephemera from the United States, Europe, and other parts of the world from the medieval period to the present day. Through exhibitions, publications, and collaborations across the National Gallery and with international partners, the Department advances understanding of artists' working methods and ensures the long-term preservation of these light-sensitive works. This position is for an emerging scholar with expertise in prints and drawings post-1860, with an emphasis on the graphic arts of outside of Europe and the United States, i.e. Latin America, Asia, or the broader Global South, who will assist the department in thoughtful stewardship, augmentation, and interpretation of the graphics collection to facilitate expansive storytelling and new perspectives.
Applicants selected will be titled as either GS-1015-11 Assistant Curator or GS-1015-12 Associate Curator
Duties for this position include;
  • Ensure accurate documentation of and reliable access to the Gallery's collection of modern and contemporary prints and drawings

  • Perform scholarly research to ensure scholarly cataloguing of works on paper post-1860

  • Participate in the evaluation of options for conservation treatment for the prints and drawings collection.

  • Develop research and publish projects related to the collection of modern and contemporary prints and drawings

  • Work collaboratively with Gallery colleagues and counterparts in other institutions.

  • Develop or execute concepts for loan exhibitions or installations of selections from the permanent collection on a regular basis. Coordinates with the departments of Exhibitions, Conservation, Registrar, and Design and Installation to meet exhibition production schedule deadlines

  • Participates in the thoughtful augmentation of the post-1860 prints and drawings collection through judicious proposals for acquisitions

Requirements
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Conditions of employment
  • You must be a United States Citizen.
  • This employer participates in the e-Verify program.
  • Males born after 12-31-59 must be registered for Selective Service
  • See "Other Information" section regarding Selective Service requirements.
  • Suitable for Federal employment, determined by a background investigation
  • May be required to successfully complete a probationary period

Qualification requirements must be met by the closing date of the announcement. For information on qualification requirements, see Qualification Standards Handbook for General Schedule Positions viewable on OPM Website. It is your responsibility to ensure that you submit appropriate documentation prior to the closing date. Your resume serves as the basis for qualification determinations and must highlight your most relevant and significant experience as it relates to this job announcement. Be clear and specific when describing your work history since human resources cannot make assumptions regarding your experience.
Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community, student, social). Your resume must include the dates of all qualifying experience (from month/year to month/year) and the number of hours worked/volunteered per week.
Qualifications
Basic Requirements:
A. Degree: museum work; or in an applicable subject-matter field.
OR
B. Combination of education and experience courses equivalent to a major, as shown in A above, plus appropriate experience or additional education.
OR
C. Four years of experience that provided knowledge comparable to that normally acquired through the successful completion of the 4-year course of study as shown in A above
GS-11 Specialized Experience Statement: Candidates must possess at least one year of specialized experience, equivalent in responsibility to the GS-09 level in the Federal service or private sector working with modern and contemporary prints and drawings in a curatorial capacity in a fine arts museum; AND demonstrated expertise in the history of modern and contemporary graphic arts outside of Europe and the United States, i.e. Latin America, Asia, or the broader Global South for a art museum.
GS-12 Specialized Experience Statement: Candidates must possess at least one year of documented specialized experience, equivalent in responsibility to the GS-11 level in the Federal service or private sector working with modern and contemporary prints and drawings in a curatorial capacity in a fine arts museum; AND demonstrated experience researching, curating, and proposing acquisitions of modern and contemporary prints drawings fromoutside of Europe and the United States, i.e. Latin America, Asia, or the broader Global South for a art museum.
Individual Occupational Requirements: Museum Curator Series 1015 Associated Group standard: General Schedule Qualification Standards
Other Relevant Eligibility Criteria: May be required to submit a writing sample.
You must meet all qualification and eligibility requirements by the closing date of this announcement.
Merit promotion applicants must meet the time-in-grade requirement as defined in 5 CFR 300, Subpart F.
You must meet all qualification and eligibility requirements by the closing date of this announcement.
Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community, student, social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.
Note: Applicants who are referred to the hiring office for selection consideration may be required to submit writing and/or work samples as part of the interview/selection process. If the hiring office decides to request a writing and/or work sample as part of its selection process, the vacancy contact will reach out to you by email to: (1) inform you of this requirement; and (2) provide further instructions.
Education
A. Degree: museum work; or in an applicable subject-matter field.
OR
B. Combination of education and experience courses equivalent to a major, as shown in A above, plus appropriate experience or additional education.
OR
C. Four years of experience that provided knowledge comparable to that normally acquired through the successful completion of the 4-year course of study as shown in A above
Education must be obtained from an accredited institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. Foreign education must be reviewed by an organization recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. For special instructions pertaining to foreign education and a list of organizations that can evaluate foreign education, see the Department of Education website.
Additional information
The National Gallery of Art fosters a fair workplace and is an Equal Opportunity Employer. The EEO policy is found at: https://www.nga.gov/employment-opportunities/equal-employment-opportunity
More than one selection may be made from this vacancy announcement.
This position is included in the bargaining unit.
Relocation expenses will not be paid.
Some positions may require completion of a probationary period of up to 1 (one) year.
Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.
EEO Policy: USAJOBS Help Center - Equal employment opportunity policy
Reasonable Accommodation Policy: http://help.usajobs.gov/reasonable-accommodation
Veterans Information: http://help.usajobs.gov/working-in-government/unique-hiring-paths/veterans
Selective Service Registration: http://www.sss.gov/
Veterans Employment Opportunity Act (VEOA): To be eligible for a VEOA appointment under Merit Promotion procedures, the veteran must be a preference eligible or a veteran separated after 3 years or more of continuous active service performed under honorable conditions.
Noncompetitive Appointment Authorities: For more information on noncompetitive appointment authority eligibility requirements visit the following websites:
  • Persons with Disabilities-Schedule A
  • Special Hiring Authorities for Veterans
  • Special Hiring Authority for Certain Military Spouses
  • Other Special Appointment Authorities

Reasonable Accommodation Requests:
To learn more, please consult the following resources:
  • Disability Employment - Reasonable Accommodations (OPM)
  • How to contact an agency

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Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.
Benefits
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A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.
The Federal Government offers a comprehensive benefits package.
Flexible Spending Accounts - http://www.fsafeds.com/
Health Insurance - http://www.opm.gov/insure/health/index.asp
Leave - http://www.opm.gov/oca/leave/index.asp
Life Insurance - http://www.opm.gov/insure/life/index.asp
Retirement Program - http://www.opm.gov/retirement-services/
Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.