Is Working In A Museum A Good Job?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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Working in a museum can be a

fun

and rewarding way to stay connected with your interests while sharing your passion with the public. Museums offer a wide number of positions, from curators and archivists to graphic designers and public relations officers.

What qualifications do you need to work in a museum?

The BLS notes that most archivists and curators typically need a

master’s degree in a related field

, such as art, history, museum studies, or archaeology. Graduate programs can often be completed in two to four years.

Can you work at a museum without a degree?

Once you have gained enough experience already by doing different kind of museum works, working on different kind of tasks (either as a paid employee or an intern or even a volunteer), get the whole concept and idea of museum jobs, then

a degree in museum studies is not necessary for you to get a museum job

.

How do I start a career in a museum?

Curators typically need a

master’s degree in art history

, history, archaeology, or museum studies. Students with internship experience may have an advantage in the competitive job market. In small museums, curator positions may be available to applicants with a bachelor’s degree.

Do you need a college degree to be a museum?

Museum job requirements include a

bachelor’s degree in art, history, archeology, museum studies or a related field at minimum

. … Preference is often given to applicants who have a master’s degree and/or 4-5 years of work experience.

Do museums pay well?

The median annual wage for archivists, curators, and museum workers was

$52,140

in May 2020. Overall employment of archivists, curators, and museum workers is projected to grow 19 percent from 2020 to 2030, much faster than the average for all occupations.

Is working in a museum hard?

Truth is,

it’s really hard work

, and almost completely unglamorous. But damn, guys, when you see that light turn on in someone’s eyes when they really connect with an artwork, or come to a moment of clarity with history or the universe, there’s just nothing like it.

How much do museum workers get paid?

While ZipRecruiter is seeing salaries as high as $53,088 and as low as $15,238, the majority of Museum Guide salaries currently range between

$22,611 (25th percentile) to $30,476 (75th percentile)

with top earners (90th percentile) making $40,798 annually in California.

What education is needed to become a museum curator?

The BLS states that most curator positions require a

bachelor’s and master’s degree in a related field

, such as art history, history, archaeology, or museum studies.

How hard is it to become a museum curator?

To become a collection manager or a curatorial assistant, a master’s degree is required. To become a curator at a national museum, a PhD is required, as is

about five years of field experience

. The market is competitive, and academic standards are very high.

What types of jobs are in a museum?

  1. Archivist. Archivists are responsible for collections of items and records (art, documents, or artifacts) kept in the museum. …
  2. Conservator. Conservators work in the archives as well to preserve historical items. …
  3. Curator. …
  4. Director. …
  5. Docent. …
  6. Exhibit Designer. …
  7. Graphic Designer. …
  8. Historian.

How much money do curators make?

The salaries of Museum Curators in the US range from

$14,860 to $396,665

, with a median salary of $71,351 . The middle 57% of Museum Curators makes between $71,354 and $178,951, with the top 86% making $396,665.

How long is a Master’s degree?

The classic master’s degree model of “going to graduate school,” where someone stops working and focuses on being a full-time student, often takes

about two years

, Gallagher says. But now part-time master’s students make up almost as much of the market as full-time students.

Are curators well paid?

The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that curators earned a median annual salary of ​

$54,560

​, as of May 2019. Curator jobs with the federal government paid the highest wages averaging ​$84,300​ per year.

Whats a good starting salary?

While there are a few outliers, the general average salary for college graduates comes to

about $50,000

according to a recent National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE) salary survey.

What are high paying jobs?

  • Anesthesiologists: $261,730*
  • Surgeons: $252,040*
  • Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons: $237,570.
  • Obstetricians-Gynecologists: $233,610*
  • Orthodontists: $230,830.
  • Prosthodontists: $220,840.
  • Psychiatrists: $220,430*
  • Family Medicine Physicians (Formerly Family and General Practitioners): $213,270*
Juan Martinez
Author
Juan Martinez
Juan Martinez is a journalism professor and experienced writer. With a passion for communication and education, Juan has taught students from all over the world. He is an expert in language and writing, and has written for various blogs and magazines.