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$18.5K

$48.1K

$112K

How much do smithsonian museum director jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 27, 2026, the average yearly pay for smithsonian museum director in the United States is $48,067.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $26,500.00 and $51,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

How does a Smithsonian Museum Director typically collaborate with curators, educators, and external partners?

A Smithsonian Museum Director works closely with curators to develop and approve exhibition content, ensuring it aligns with the museum's mission and standards. The Director also collaborates with education teams to create public programs and outreach initiatives that engage diverse audiences. Externally, they partner with donors, government agencies, and cultural organizations to secure funding and build strategic relationships. This collaborative approach helps maintain the museum's reputation for excellence and fosters innovation across departments.

How do you become a museum director?

To become a Smithsonian Museum Director, candidates typically need a master's or doctoral degree in museum studies, history, art, or a related field, along with extensive experience in museum management, curation, or administration. Strong leadership, fundraising skills, and a deep knowledge of the institution's focus area are also essential for this senior role.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Smithsonian Museum Director, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Smithsonian Museum Director, you need extensive experience in museum administration, a background in art history or a related field, and often an advanced degree such as a master's or Ph.D. Familiarity with collections management systems, fundraising platforms, and accreditation standards is typically required. Exceptional leadership, strategic vision, communication, and stakeholder engagement skills help a director stand out. These qualifications and abilities are vital for overseeing museum operations, securing funding, and fostering public engagement with the institution's mission.

What is the difference between Smithsonian Museum Director vs Curator?

AspectSmithsonian Museum DirectorCurator
Required CredentialsAdvanced degree in Museum Studies, History, or related field; extensive experienceMaster's degree or higher in relevant field; specialized knowledge
Work EnvironmentLeadership role overseeing entire museum operationsFocus on collections, research, and exhibitions
Employer & Industry UsageMajor museums, including Smithsonian institutionsMost museums, including Smithsonian and private institutions
Common Search & ComparisonHigh overlap in credentials and industry contextSimilar educational background, but more specialized

The Smithsonian Museum Director is a senior leadership role responsible for overall museum management, strategy, and operations. In contrast, a Curator focuses on collections, research, and exhibition development. Both roles require advanced education and experience in museum-related fields, but the Director has broader administrative responsibilities.

What does a Smithsonian Museum Director do?

A Smithsonian Museum Director is responsible for overseeing all aspects of a Smithsonian museum’s operations, including strategic planning, budgeting, fundraising, and staff management. They work to develop exhibitions, educational programs, and partnerships that support the museum’s mission. The director also represents the museum to the public, donors, and other stakeholders, ensuring that the institution remains a leader in its field. Their leadership is crucial in preserving the museum’s collections and advancing scholarship.

How much do Smithsonian directors make?

Smithsonian Museum Directors typically earn an annual salary ranging from $150,000 to $250,000, depending on experience and the specific institution. They often oversee large teams, manage budgets, and require extensive knowledge of museum operations and leadership skills.

What is the highest paying job at a museum?

The highest paying job at a museum is typically the museum director or chief executive officer, who oversees operations, strategic planning, and fundraising. These roles often require extensive experience, advanced degrees, and strong leadership skills, and they can earn six-figure salaries depending on the institution's size and funding.

How hard is it to get a job at the Smithsonian?

Securing a position as a Smithsonian Museum Director is highly competitive, often requiring extensive experience in museum management, leadership skills, and a strong track record in the arts or cultural sector. Candidates typically undergo a rigorous selection process, including multiple interviews and background checks, and may need advanced degrees or specialized certifications. The role demands a combination of strategic vision, administrative ability, and knowledge of museum operations.
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Smithsonian Museum Director jobs near you
Infographic showing various Smithsonian Museum Director job openings in the United States as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 84% Full Time, 12% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 92% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 5% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $48,067 per year, or $23.1 per hour.
Graphic Designer (Visual Information Specialist), IS-1084-09

Graphic Designer (Visual Information Specialist), IS-1084-09

Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum

New York, NY

$72K - $94K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement

Posted 6 days ago

Job description

Description
OPEN DATE: July 20, 2026                    
CLOSING DATE: August 10, 2026               
POSITION TYPE: Trust Fund
APPOINTMENT TYPE: Temporary - Not to Exceed One (1) year
SCHEDULE: Full Time
DUTY LOCATION: New York, NY

Position sensitivity and risk:
Non-Sensitive, Low Risk
Who May Apply:
Open to all qualified applicants

What are Trust Fund Positions?
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 contracts. Trust employees are not part of the civil service, nor does trust fund employment lead to Federal status. The salary ranges for trust positions are generally the same as for federal positions and in many cases trust and federal employees work side by side. Trust employees have their own benefit program, which may include Health, Dental & Vision Insurance, Life Insurance, Transit/Commuter Benefits, Accidental Death and Dismemberment Insurance, Annual and Sick Leave, Family Friendly Leave, 403b Retirement Plan, Discounts for Smithsonian Memberships, Museum Stores and Restaurants, Credit Union, Smithsonian Early Enrichment Center (Child Care), Flexible Spending Account (Health & Dependent Care). 
 
Conditions of Employment
  • Pass Pre-employment Background Check and Subsequent Background Investigation for position designated.
  • Complete a Probationary Period.
  • Maintain a Bank Account for Direct Deposit/Electronic Transfer.
  • The position is open to all candidates eligible to work in the United States.  Proof of eligibility to work in U.S. is not required to apply.
  • Applicants must meet all qualification and eligibility requirements within 30 days of the closing date of this announcement. 

OVERVIEW
This position is located in the Communications and Marketing Department, Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum (CHSDM). CHSDM is the only museum in the United States devoted exclusively to historical and contemporary design and is the steward of one of the most diverse and comprehensive design collections in existence - more than 215,000 design objects spanning 30 centuries. From ancient textiles and works on paper to icons of modern design and cutting-edge technologies, CHSDM's collection serves as inspiration for creative work of all kinds and tells the story of design's paramount importance in improving our world. CHSDM's mission is to educate, inspire, and empower people through design.
The Museum's graphic designer will be responsible for overall graphic design at CHSDM ensuring consistency of the Museum's identity and brand on all digital and print pieces and will ensure compliance with brand guidelines and the Smithsonian brand. The graphic designer will implement design systems and guidelines for visual communications that extend and complement the Museum's brand identity. 
The graphic designer shall work in conjunction with his/her colleagues and the Museum's director to maintain a consistent identity across the entire Museum's communications, both digital and printed. The graphic designer plans and executes production of all graphic elements for all visual communications, handling schedules, printing and production. The graphic design material must promote CHSDM as a contemporary local, national and international design resource for its target audiences. The designer collaborates with many different teams, including but not limited to Museum staff, editors, guest curators, exhibition designers, web and media developers, students, project teams and external organizations. 

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Graphic Design (65%)
  • Designs and creates materials of a high and consistent quality, with responsibility for selection and oversight of production. Design pieces will support many different Museum departments from Communications to Curatorial to the Shop, Advancement, Operations, and more across the Museum.
  • Prepares graphic assets, layouts and templates for web and interactive media for online and in-gallery display.
  • Designs direct marketing over digital channels. Designs and produces temporary museum signage, interior and exterior.
  • Designs and produces exhibition signage, interior and exterior, using templates or creating new exhibition graphic identity. Ensures that exhibition signage meets SD410 regulations and ADA regulations.
  • Designs banners and templates for website and social media platforms as needed.Designs advertising for museum programming - print, outdoor and online - including execution of resizing, matches prints, etc.

Production (35%)
  • Acts as project lead for all graphics projects including but not limited to staying on calendar, hiring external vendors and managing contracting processes.
  • Conducts press checks when necessary and ensure that all direct mail pieces meet postal requirements. 


QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS
  • Knowledge of a variety of methods, techniques and materials used in design of graphic materials such as printing, photography, and other reproduction processes and typography. 
  • Basic knowledge of electronic design, layout, and production software and processes. Skill in using all industry-standard graphic design and multimedia tools (e.g. InDesign, Photoshop, Illustrator, Bridge, After Effects, etc.) and production techniques. Familiar with web platforms and current digital options.
  • Knowledge of computer software/programs including Adobe Creative Suite and MS Office. 
  • Knowledge of project coordination principles and practices sufficient to lead graphic design and publication projects, including project scheduling, vendor procurement and contracting processes, commercial printing and production workflows, deadline management, project monitoring, and collaborative stakeholder engagement to ensure timely and successful completion of deliverables. 
  • Knowledge of basic print and electronic media cost estimation and staying with prescribed project budgetary allotments. 
  • Knowledge of procurement services and writing statements of work, purchase orders, and contracts.
  •  Skill to implement front-end web design using latest CSS, JS, HTML techniques. Understanding of WordPress and email marketing theming/templating environments.
  • Knowledge of guidelines and principles of universal design. 
  • Skill in working effectively in a collaborative, team-oriented environment sufficient to build productive working relationships, coordinate with stakeholders, and achieve shared organizational objectives. 
  • Skill in planning, prioritizing, and coordinating multiple concurrent projects sufficient to manage competing demands, meet established deadlines, and ensure timely completion of deliverables.
Education completed outside the United States must be deemed equivalent to higher education programs of U.S. Institutions by an organization that specializes in the interpretation of foreign educational credentials. This documentation is the responsibility of the applicant and should be included as part of your application package.
 
Any false statement in your application may result in rejection of your application and may also result in termination after employment begins.
  
Join us in "Inspiring Generations through Knowledge and Discovery."
 
Resumes should include a description of your paid and non-paid work experience that is related to this job; starting and ending dates of job (month and year); and average number of hours worked per week.  
What To Expect Next: Once the vacancy announcement closes, a review of your resume will be compared against the qualification and experience requirements related to this job. After review of applicant resumes is complete, qualified candidates will be referred to the hiring manager.
 
Relocation expenses are not paid.
The Smithsonian Institution provides reasonable accommodation to applicants with disabilities where appropriate. Applicants requiring reasonable accommodation should contact Devin Murillo (MurilloDR@si.edu). Determinations on requests or reasonable accommodation will be made on a case-by-case basis.  To learn more, please review the Smithsonian’s Accommodation Procedures (https://www.si.edu/OEO/IndividualswithDisabilities). 
 
The Smithsonian Institution is an Equal Opportunity Employer. To review The Smithsonian's EEO program information, please click the following: https://www.si.edu/oeo