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Museum Jobs in Seattle, WA (NOW HIRING)

Frye Art Museum

Temporary Security Officer

Seattle, WA

$24.04/hr

Monitor the Museum exhibition galleries to maintain the safety of visitors, staff and artwork. * Patrol the Museum properties, including collections, equipment, building and grounds to prevent and ...

New

Tacoma Art Museum

Visitor Services Lead - Store

Tacoma, WA · On-site

$20.66 - $24/hr

Attend Museum meetings and trainings as assigned * Report on attendance and other key customer service metrics as directed * Assist Visitor Experience Manager in completing daily schedules and shift ...

Frye Art Museum

Temporary Security Officer

Seattle, WA · On-site

$24.04/hr

Monitor the Museum exhibition galleries to maintain the safety of visitors, staff and artwork. * Patrol the Museum properties, including collections, equipment, building and grounds to prevent and ...

New

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All JobsMuseum JobsMuseum Jobs in Seattle, WA

Museum information

See Seattle, WA salary details

$35.8K

$50.3K

$63.7K

How much do museum jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 21, 2026, the average yearly pay for museum in Seattle, WA is $50,295.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $43,800.00 and $55,200.00 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 Seattle, WA?

The most popular types of Museum jobs in Seattle, WA are:

What job categories do people searching Museum jobs in Seattle, WA look for?

The top searched job categories for Museum jobs in Seattle, WA are:

What cities near Seattle, WA are hiring for Museum jobs?

Cities near Seattle, WA with the most Museum job openings:

Museum jobs near you
Infographic showing various Museum job openings in Seattle, WA as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 2% Locum Tenens, 1% As Needed, 71% Full Time, 15% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 10% Contract. Highlights an 97% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 2% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $50,295 per year, or $24.2 per hour.

Teen & Family Museum Education Fellow

Seattle Art Museum

Seattle, WA • On-site

Full-time

Posted 2 days ago

New

Job description

ABOUT THE ROLE
The Teen & Family Museum Education Fellow supports SAM programs for children, caregivers, and teens while receiving training and mentorship and taking on increasing responsibility. This fellowship is designed for emerging museum educators who have completed a bachelor's degree or developed comparable experience through employment, internships, artistic practice, teaching, youth programs, community work, or another relevant pathway. A degree in a specific field and prior museum employment are not required.
This paid fellowship advances racial equity and diversity at SAM and across the museum field. We encourage applicants from communities historically underrepresented in museums and cultural institutions.
What you'll learn:
  • Program planning, coordination, facilitation, and evaluation in a museum context
  • Inclusive strategies for engaging children, caregivers, and teens through art-making, close looking, conversation, and leadership
  • Collaboration with teaching artists, volunteers, community partners, curators, visitor-facing teams, and other museum colleagues
  • How to use observation and participant feedback to improve programs and create effective museum-education resources
  • Potential career pathways in museums, education, nonprofits, youth development, and the arts

Applications are due at 11:59 pm Pacific Standard Time Sunday, September 6, 2026. Candidates invited to interview will be asked to provide two professional, academic, or community references.
ABOUT SAM
As SAM heads into its second century, we are boldly reimagining what we can and should be. Our goal is to be a model for the future of museums - a bold, dynamic hub of creativity, belonging, and cultural leadership, shaping the future of art and community. Embracing new ways of engaging communities and seeking innovative partnerships - all while keeping art and community at the center of what we do. This ambitious effort represents a transformative shift and radically redefining how art museums operate. This is a pivotal moment for SAM, and we are seeking great talent to join us on our journey. Working at SAM is not just a job-it's a chance to be part of a vibrant, creative community.
RESPONSIBILITIES
Family Programs - 50%
  • Help plan and implement recurring Family Saturdays, including Third Saturdays at the Seattle Asian Art Museum and Chase Open Studio on First Saturdays at the Seattle Art Museum
  • Support major community celebrations and events, including Día de los Muertos, Diwali, Lunar New Year, and Baby Rave at the Olympic Sculpture Park
  • Contribute to Community Family Fun Workshops, family tours, community partnerships, early learner programming, and other on-site and off-site family experiences
  • Assist with the reopening and ongoing use of the third-floor Family Room and with multilingual self-guides and other resources for families
  • Prepare and test art materials; support teaching-artist and volunteer coordination; and assist with setup, visitor welcome, program facilitation, registration, breakdown, documentation, evaluation, and post-program reporting
  • Develop and facilitate a defined Family Programs component and provide limited support for early planning for SAM Camp 2027

Teen Programs - 40%
  • Attend and support weekly Teen Arts Group (TAG) meetings on Thursday afternoons and evenings from October through May
  • Assist with TAG agendas, art-making activities, attendance, communications, food, supplies, culminating projects, and spring recruitment for the next cohort
  • Contribute to Teen Night Out, Teen Art Lab, teen workshops, and meetings with other teen programmers in the city through planning, promotion, production, facilitation, volunteer support, and evaluation
  • Co-plan and co-facilitate at least one TAG workshop, teen art-making activity, or defined Teen Night component
  • Help develop roles and orientation materials for teen volunteers or peer leaders and provide limited outreach or planning support for SAM's summer teen program 2027

Professional Development - 10%
  • Complete a structured museum-education training sequence covering equity, accessibility, youth development, family learning, gallery teaching, program design, safety, and evaluation
  • Establish a learning plan, participate in regular mentoring meetings, and complete three observed facilitation experiences with feedback
  • Contribute to developing practical resources and recommendations to strengthen future Teen & Family programs
  • Build a professional portfolio featuring family and teen program plans, reflections on facilitation, and resources developed during the fellowship, and share a final presentation with SAM colleagues

WE ARE LOOKING FOR
Required Qualifications
  • Bachelor's degree or an equivalent combination of education, training, and relevant experience.
  • At least 1 year of experience working with children, families, and/or teens in an arts, educational, museum, youth development, or community setting
  • Experience planning or facilitating a workshop, tour, art activity, youth program, community event, or comparable learning experience
  • Ability to manage multi-step assignments, prioritize tasks, and meet deadlines
  • Strong written and oral communication skills and the ability to represent SAM with professionalism, sound judgment, tact, and integrity
  • Ability to work independently and collaboratively, seek support, receive feedback, and revise work
  • Basic proficiency with Microsoft Office, Google Drive, email, and general computer use
  • Availability for weekly Thursday afternoon/evening TAG meetings, selected Saturday programs, and identified major-program dates

Preferred Qualifications
  • Study or experience in fine arts, art history, cultural studies, education, museum studies, youth development, community engagement, or another humanities field
  • Experience working with both family and teen audiences
  • Experience with gallery teaching, object-based learning, or hands-on art facilitation
  • Experience with program evaluation, reflective documentation, or coordination with teaching artists, volunteers, community partners, or peer leaders
  • Multilingual or cross-cultural communication experience

FLSA Status: Fellow/Temporary, Non-Exempt
Reports To: Senior Manager of Teen & Family Programs
Work Location: Onsite, Seattle Downtown, Volunteer Park, and Olympic Sculpture Park
Work Schedule: Approximately 13 hours per week from Tuesday, October 6, 2026, through Wednesday, June 30, 2027. The standard weekday schedule is Tuesdays and Wednesdays, 10 am-2 pm, and Thursdays, 1:45-6:45 pm. The Fellow will also work First Saturday programs at SAM Downtown and Third Saturday programs at the Seattle Asian Art Museum in Volunteer Park, from 10 am-1 pm. During those weeks, the three Saturday hours will replace three hours from the standard weekday schedule. Hours may be reduced during holiday periods or adjusted for other required weekend and evening programs. These program hours will replace weekday hours, and schedule changes will be communicated in advance. Required major-program dates currently include Diwali (October 17, 2026), Día de los Muertos (November 5, 2026), Lunar New Year Community Celebration (January 30, 2027), and Baby Rave (May 15, 2027). Additional dates will be communicated in advance.
WORK CONDITIONS
  • Primarily in climate-controlled museum environments, with occasional off-site or outdoor activities
  • Approximately 60% seated or working at a desk and 40% moving within galleries or program spaces
    • Extended standing may be required during programs and events
  • Clear and effective communication with children, caregivers, teens, staff, volunteers, partners, and the public is essential.
  • Ability to move program materials and supplies weighing up to 20 pounds occasionally
  • Regular use of computers, phones, and other office equipment

BENEFITS
Temporary SAM Staffhaveaccess toan onsitefitness facilityand SAM's museum library,can access a no-cost Employee Assistance Program resource, enjoya 20% discount at theSAM Museum Shop anda 15% discount at SAM'sMARKET cafe,receive2 SAM guest passes per quarter worked,can access 8 Home Free Guarantee cab rides homeperyear,andaccrue paid sick leave at a rate of .0385 per hour worked.
ACCOMODATION
The Seattle Art Museum will consider reasonable accommodations for all employees with disabilities to perform the essential functions/duties of this position. If you need an accommodation during the application or interview process, please contact [email protected]. For candidates, we ask that, if possible, you wait until you're invited to a screen, online technical assessment or interview before requesting an accommodation.
SAM is proud to be an equal opportunity employer and we are committed to fostering a respectful, inclusive, and welcoming workplace for all employees and volunteers. Guided by our mission to connect art to life and engage diverse communities, we strive to create a sense of belonging for all of the communities we serve. All qualified candidates will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, national origin, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, military status, or any other protected characteristic
Not sure you check every box? Research shows that candidates from underrepresented backgrounds often only apply if they meet 100% of the criteria. If you believe you could excel in this role, we encourage you to apply!
$24.91 - $27.53 an hour
with a target hiring range of $26/hour

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