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Museum assistant

Alternative titles for this job include Visitor experience assistant

Museum assistants take care of customers and security in museums and galleries.

Average salary (a year)

£15,000 Starter

to

£22,000 Experienced

Typical hours (a week)

41 to 43 a week

You could work

evenings / weekends on a rota

How to become a museum assistant

You can get into this job through:

  • an apprenticeship
  • volunteering
  • applying directly

Apprenticeship

You could get into this work through a cultural learning and participation officer or museums technician advanced apprenticeship. You could also do an apprenticeship in cultural and heritage venue operations.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

  • 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), usually including English and maths, for an advanced apprenticeship

More information

Volunteering and experience

It's important that you get as much work experience as possible. It will help you get a better understanding of the role, and make contacts who may help you to find paid work.

Direct application

You do not need any particular qualifications to become a museum assistant, although you'll usually need a good general standard of education, especially in English and maths.

There is a lot of competition for jobs and you may find some museums and galleries ask for a certain level of qualification, like A levels or equivalent.

You'll be in a stronger position when looking for work if you have:

  • experience in customer care
  • an interest in museums and their services
  • volunteering experience in a museum, gallery or heritage attraction

More information

Career tips

Experience of security work could be useful for some jobs.

Professional and industry bodies

You can join the Museums Association for your professional development.

Further information

You can get more advice on working in museums from the Museums Association and Creative Choices.

What it takes

Skills and knowledge

You'll need:

  • an interest and knowledge of history
  • to be thorough and pay attention to detail
  • the ability to work well with others
  • to be flexible and open to change
  • the ability to use your initiative
  • excellent written communication skills
  • excellent verbal communication skills
  • knowledge of teaching and the ability to design courses
  • to be able to carry out basic tasks on a computer or hand-held device

Restrictions and requirements

You'll need to:

What you'll do

Day-to-day tasks

Your day-to-day duties may include:

  • patrolling buildings to monitor security
  • making sure exhibits are in good order
  • giving talks to visitors about exhibitions
  • helping curators to change displays and exhibitions
  • creating labels for objects and recording items on display
  • issuing entrance tickets
  • serving in a museum shop
  • carrying out administrative tasks and cleaning

Working environment

You could work in a museum.

You may need to wear a uniform.

Career path and progression

With experience and relevant qualifications, you could become a programmes assistant, volunteer co-ordinator or assistant curator.

You could also become a learning assistant or education officer.

Current opportunities

Apprenticeships In England

We can't find any apprenticeship vacancies in England for a museum assistant right now.

The Find an apprenticeship service can help you with your search, send alerts when new apprenticeships become available and has advice on how to apply.

Courses In England

Employability - NCFE Level 2 Certificate in Customer Service for Health and Social Care Settings

  • Provider: CITY COLLEGE PETERBOROUGH (CCP)
  • Start date: 17 June 2020
  • Location: PETERBOROUGH

Level 1 Certificate in Customer Service

  • Provider: THE NORTHUMBERLAND COUNCIL
  • Start date: 05 November 2019
  • Location: Hexham
Find courses near you

JobsIn the United Kingdom

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