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Smithsonian

Electrician

Washington, DC · On-site

$28.25 - $38.75/hr

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 one of the SI facilities serviced ...

Smithsonian

Advancement Specialist IS

Washington, DC · On-site

$85K - $111K/yr

Trust Fund positions are unique to the Smithsonian. They are paid for from a variety of sources, including the Smithsonian endowment, revenue from our business activities, donations, grants and ...

Smithsonian

Voucher Examiner

Washington, DC · On-site

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 the Office of Finance and ...

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How much do smithsonian jobs pay per hour?

As of Jun 5, 2026, the average hourly pay for smithsonian in the United States is $25.93, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $21.63 and $28.85 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a Smithsonian job?

A Smithsonian job refers to a position within the Smithsonian Institution, the world's largest museum, education, and research complex. These jobs span various fields, including museum curation, scientific research, education, administration, and conservation. Employees work across multiple Smithsonian museums, research centers, and cultural institutions, contributing to preserving history, advancing knowledge, and engaging the public. Opportunities range from internships and entry-level roles to specialized and executive positions.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in the Smithsonian position, and why are they important?

To work at the Smithsonian, candidates typically need expertise in their specialized field (such as museum studies, art history, education, administration, or research), supported by relevant academic qualifications or professional experience. Familiarity with collection management systems, exhibit design software, and digital archiving tools is often required, along with certifications in museum education or conservation where applicable. Strong communication, public engagement, and teamwork skills are vital for collaborating with colleagues, researchers, and the public. These capabilities ensure that staff can effectively contribute to preserving, interpreting, and sharing knowledge in a world-renowned cultural and scientific institution.

What are typical daily responsibilities for employees working at the Smithsonian Institution?

At the Smithsonian, daily responsibilities can vary depending on your department and role, but they often include caring for collections, conducting or supporting research, developing public programs, and creating engaging visitor experiences. Staff may collaborate across disciplines to curate exhibitions, manage artifacts, or deliver educational guided tours. Teamwork and interdisciplinary communication are integral, as projects often involve curators, educators, conservators, and administrative staff. This collaborative environment provides valuable opportunities to learn from colleagues and contribute to the Smithsonian's mission of increasing and sharing knowledge. Many positions also include opportunities for professional development and participation in groundbreaking cultural and scientific initiatives.
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Smithsonian jobs near you
Infographic showing various Smithsonian job openings in the United States as of May 2026, with employment types broken down into 2% Locum Tenens, 1% As Needed, 84% Full Time, 10% Part Time, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 95% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 4% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $53,935 per year, or $25.9 per hour.
Smithsonian Gardens Maintenance Volunteer Opportunity in Suitland, MD

Smithsonian Gardens Maintenance Volunteer Opportunity in Suitland, MD

Smithsonian Gardens

District Heights, MD • On-site

Full-time

Posted 15 days ago

Smithsonian Institution rating

8.6

Company rating: 8.6 out of 10

Based on 23 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

1st of 26 rated museums

Job description

Do you love plants? Smithsonian Gardens volunteer; you will care for plants and help to care to create beauty for visitors to the Smithsonian Institution. You will work with professional horticulturists and will assist with planting, weeding, deadheading and more. Develop your plant knowledge; help scout for disease and insect pests; and share your knowledge with visitors. Please remember the work is physical. Be prepared to

  • volunteer in hot weather
  • stoop and bend
  • safely lift and help others lift plants, mulch, bags of compost and other supplies

Duties Include

  • With staff supervision, Gardens Maintenance Volunteers assist with the preparation of planting beds.
  • Volunteers will assist with planting a variety of plant material in our garden spaces, weeding, watering, pruning, and deadheading.

Qualifications and Training

Garden Maintenance Volunteers should be able to follow directions and pay attention to detail when performing assigned tasks. Volunteers must be willing to learn and adapt to specific procedures while working with SG staff. Good communication skills are required.

Volunteers should be interested in and capable of performing general garden tasks outdoors, including during periods of hot and humid weather. The role requires the ability to stoop, bend and carry out repetitive tasks such as weeding-sometimes for extended periods-as well as standing for long stretches of time. Volunteers must be able to lift up to 50 pounds is helpful but not required.

Volunteers should also be enthusiastic about plants, adaptable when taking on assigned gardening tasks, and eager to learn.

Volunteers must complete periodic training focused on gardening safety. This is an internal training provided by Smithsonian Gardens.

Term

The position requires a minimum 1-year commitment. Volunteers must be at least 18 years old and complete a Smithsonian pre-appointment background investigation.

How to Apply

To apply, applicants must register and submit an application online at Smithsonian's Volunteer Management System (Vsys) at vol.si.edu.

Links to the online application are included in the opportunity's description. Once you create a profile, you will be able to use the same application to apply for multiple opportunities. If you have a Vsys account, please verify that the information in your account is still up to date and correct. You can log in via vol.si.edu .

It is mandatory for all Smithsonian Volunteers to be registered in Vsys. When completing your Vsys application/ profile all the boxes in yellow are required.

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