Also called: Executive Director (museum)
Leads an entire museum: its collection, exhibitions, staff, budget, and fundraising.
A museum director's day might include a board meeting, a donor lunch, approving next year's exhibitions, and talking to reporters about a big acquisition. At large museums they oversee hundreds of staff and budgets of millions. They are the public face of the museum.
Estimate. Directors of small museums may earn $70k; directors of major museums earn $500k-$1M+.
Approximate: anchored on Bureau of Labor Statistics data for a broader job group.
Master's degree, about 12 years after high school. Master's or PhD in art history or museum studies plus 10-15+ years of museum experience.
Ways in: Graduate school, On-the-job training. Training cost: $60k – $150k.
Majors to look at: Art History, Museum Studies, Nonprofit Management.
Growing about average. Few positions; steady turnover.
Low risk for 10 years. AI helps with reports, grant drafts and visitor data; leading staff, fundraising and public trust stay human jobs.
Classes: AP Art History, Business or FBLA, Speech and debate.
Official data: O*NET occupation 11-9199.
Career Universe is an early version. Pay, training and AI-risk figures are estimates to start your own research, not verified facts. The research was written with AI research assistants, checked by validation scripts and spot-checked by hand. Check anything important with schools, employers and official sources. How the numbers work.