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Museum attendant

Alternative titles for this job include Visitor experience assistant, museum assistant

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

Average salary (a year)

£15,000 Starter

to

£20,000 Experienced

Typical hours (a week)

41 to 43 a week

You could work

evenings / weekends on a rota

How to become

Explore the different ways to get into this role.

How to become a museum attendant

You can get into this job through:

  • an apprenticeship
  • volunteering
  • applying directly

Apprenticeship

You could get into this work through apprenticeships that give you skills in customer service, security, museums education or conservation.

Relevant subjects include:

  • facilities services operative intermediate apprenticeship
  • customer service intermediate apprenticeship
  • cultural learning and participation officer advanced apprenticeship
  • museums technician advanced apprenticeship.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

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

More Information

Volunteering

Volunteering in a museum and getting work experience will help you get a better understanding of the role, and to 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 or facilities security
  • an interest in museums and their services
  • volunteering experience in a museum, gallery or heritage attraction

More Information

Career tips

There is a lot of competition for paid work in museums. Many people work as volunteers to make connections and get experience to move into paid positions later on.

You can search for suitable volunteering opportunities through sites like:

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.

What it takes

Find out what skills you’ll use in this role.

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 verbal communication skills
  • leadership 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

Discover the day to day tasks you’ll do in this role.

What you'll do

Day-to-day tasks

On a typical day you may:

  • patrol buildings to monitor security
  • make sure exhibits are in good order
  • give talks to visitors about exhibitions
  • help curators to change displays and exhibitions
  • create labels for objects and record items on display
  • issue entrance tickets
  • serve in a museum shop
  • carry out administrative tasks and keep the museum clean and tidy

Working environment

You could work in a museum or at an art gallery.

You may need to wear a uniform.

Career path and progression

Look at progression in this role and similar opportunities.

Career path and progression

With experience you could supervise other museum attendants or train and oversee volunteers.

With additional training and qualifications you could move into technician roles maintaining buildings and specialist equipment.

There are opportunities to work in museum learning roles like outreach or programming or to go into marketing and fundraising.

Current opportunities

Find apprenticeships, courses and jobs available near you.

Current opportunities

Apprenticeships In England

Customer Service Apprentice - Level 2 (Customer Resolution Team)

  • Wage: £24,564.00 Annually
  • Location: Bruton Way, Gloucester

Customer Service Parts Advisor Apprentice - Cheltenham

  • Wage: £10,158.72 Annually
  • Location: Battledown Industrial Estate, Cheltenham,, Gloucester

Courses In England

Certificate in Customer Service

  • Provider: NCG
  • Start date: 02 September 2024
  • Location: Carlisle

Customer Service

  • Provider: Norfolk County Council Adult Learning
  • Start date: 01 May 2024
  • Location: Not known

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