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Smithsonian Museum Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Museum Specialist

Washington, DC · On-site +1

$85K - $111K/yr

  • Medical

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

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 ...

Museum Specialist

Greensboro, NC

$70K - $90K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Previously supported cultural projects (e.g., GSA, NPS, Smithsonian Institute) specifically including; * Have a solid understanding of museum best practices, including handling, documentation, and ...

Museum Specialist

Washington, DC · On-site +1

$121K - $158K/yr

  • Medical

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

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 ...

Museum Specialist

Greensboro, NC · On-site

$70K - $90K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Previously supported cultural projects (e.g., GSA, NPS, Smithsonian Institute) specifically including; * Have a solid understanding of museum best practices, including handling, documentation, and ...

Museum Specialist

Greensboro, NC · On-site

$70K - $90K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Previously supported cultural projects (e.g., GSA, NPS, Smithsonian Institute) specifically including; * Have a solid understanding of museum best practices, including handling, documentation, and ...

Visitor Services Coordinator,

Chantilly, VA · On-site

$57K - $65K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

OVERVIEW The Smithsonian Institution, National Air and Space Museum (NASM) seeks two coordinators for the Visitor Services program. The Visitor Services Coordinator works with the Visitor Services ...

Gift Officer IS-1001-13

Washington, DC · On-site

$81K - $105K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

About the National Museum of Asian Art Through an ambitious program of collection, conservation, exhibitions, programming, and research, the Smithsonian's National Museum of Asian Art serves as a ...

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How much do smithsonian museum jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 16, 2026, the average hourly pay for smithsonian museum in the United States is $15.33, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $14.42 and $15.14 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a Smithsonian Museum?

A Smithsonian Museum job refers to a position within the Smithsonian Institution, the world's largest museum, education, and research complex. Jobs range from curators and researchers to educators, conservators, and administrative staff. Employees work to preserve history, conduct research, and engage the public through exhibitions and educational programs. Opportunities exist across various museums, research centers, and cultural institutions under the Smithsonian umbrella.

What are the typical responsibilities of a professional working at the Smithsonian Museum?

Professionals at the Smithsonian Museum may handle a wide range of responsibilities, including curating exhibits, conducting research, managing collections, developing educational programs, or guiding visitors. Depending on the specific position, you might work closely with educators, conservators, or other museum staff to create engaging experiences for diverse audiences. Teamwork is essential, as many projects require collaboration across departments to maintain the highest standards for stewardship and public engagement. This dynamic environment offers opportunities to deepen your expertise while making a meaningful impact on public appreciation of history, art, and culture.

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

To thrive in a Smithsonian Museum role, candidates typically need expertise in museum studies, history, art, science, or a related field, often supported by a relevant degree or professional experience. Familiarity with collection management systems, digital cataloguing tools, and sometimes specialized certifications in conservation or education is advantageous. Strong interpersonal communication, public speaking, and organizational skills are vital for engaging visitors and collaborating with colleagues. These abilities are essential for ensuring successful operations, public programming, and preservation of the museum’s collections.

Is it difficult to get a job in a Smithsonian Museum?

Getting a job at a Smithsonian Museum can be competitive due to high applicant volume and specific qualification requirements. Candidates often need relevant education, experience in museum work or related fields, and may undergo multiple interview stages. Familiarity with museum operations and strong communication skills are also beneficial.
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Infographic showing various Smithsonian Museum job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 2% Locum Tenens, 1% As Needed, 73% Full Time, 14% Part Time, 2% Temporary, and 8% Contract. Highlights an 98% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 1% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $31,896 per year, or $15.3 per hour.

Museum Specialist

Smithsonian Institution

Washington, DC • On-site, Remote

$85K - $111K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Life, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 18 days ago


Smithsonian Institution rating

8.6

Company rating: 8.6 out of 10

Based on 25 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

2nd of 29 rated museums


Job description

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 American Art Museum (SAAM), Undersecretary for Museums and Culture. SAAM shares the stories of our nation through American art and craft to inspire reflection, spark dialogue, and build connections.
Learn more about this agency
Duties
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The Museum Specialist (Art) will administer the museum's acquisitions program and contribute to the stewardship, interpretation, display, and curatorial development of the Smithsonian American Art Museum's permanent collection.
In this position, you will:
  • Manage and execute arrangements for proposed acquisition including liaising with curators, donors, vendors, and colleagues across SAAM.
  • Perform a wide variety of collections related functions that include serving as the primary curatorial representative for permanent collection installations, gallery rotations, and special projects.
  • Develop and maintain checklists for special projects and temporary exhibitions.
  • Coordinate across departments about installation requirements, exhibition design, interpretive elements, and related programmatic elements.
  • Collaborate with lead curator on research needs and opportunities for contribution.
  • Conduct in-depth research that contributes to the exhibition or installation and any accompanying publication.

Requirements
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Conditions of employment
  • Requires career/career-conditional status or eligibility.
  • Males born after 12/31/59 must be registered with Selective Service.

Conditions of Employment
Qualification requirements, including one year time-in-grade at the next lower grade level for promotion candidates, must be met within 30 days of the job announcement closing date. See the 'Required Documents' section for additional information.
For information on qualification requirements, see Qualification Standards Handbook for General Schedule Positions viewable on OPM Website.
Qualifications
Basic Qualifications:
Experience related to the operation or management of a museum or similar collection of valuable objects. Examples of qualifying specialized experience include collections management, registration, cataloging, research, preservation, restoration, or conservation of collections of museum material, or other experience related to the position to be filled. Most positions require a particular subject-matter specialization, e.g., aeronautics, anthropology, art, geology, history, natural science, technology, biology, or zoology.
In addition to the basic qualification requirement above:
Experience: You qualify for this position if you have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-09 level in the Federal Service. For this position, specialized experience is defined as managing and executing arrangements for proposed acquisitions; applying collection management processes; and coordinating and developing exhibits.
Your resume must be no more than two (2) pages and should clearly demonstrate how your experience aligns with the responsibilities and specialized experience required for this position. Do not copy language directly from the vacancy announcement, as you will be deemed ineligible for consideration. Instead, provide detailed, descriptive information about your actual 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). 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.
Part-time and/or unpaid experience related to this position will be considered to determine the total number of years and months of experience. Be sure to note the number of paid or unpaid hours worked each week.
Time-in-Grade Requirements: Under competitive merit promotion procedures, any individual who is currently holding, or who has held within the previous 52 weeks, a General Schedule position under a non-temporary appointment in the competitive or excepted service, must meet "time-in-grade" requirements (have served 52 weeks at the next lower grade of the grade for which you are applying).
Additional information
This position is included in the bargaining unit.
Recruitment Incentive: Recruitment incentive(s) may be authorized for this position. However, approval for incentives are contingent upon various availability. If authorized, certain incentives will require the incumbent to sign a service agreement to remain in the Federal government for a certain time period.
Note: This statement does not imply nor guarantee an incentive will be offered and paid.
Selections may be made for vacancies across the Smithsonian Institution (SI). By applying to this position, you agree to allow your application and other personal information to be shared with one or more SI hiring officials for employment consideration for same/similar positions within the location(s) identified in this announcement.
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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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The Smithsonian offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes, in part, vacation and sick leave, holidays, health/life insurance, accident insurance, and excellent retirement program options.
Please see Benefits at https://www.si.edu/OHR/benefits for a complete description.
Flexible Spending Accounts - https://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
Long Term Care Insurance - http://www.ltcfeds.com
Retirement Program - https://www.opm.gov/retirement-services/

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