Also called: Gallery Guard, Museum Guard
Guards artwork and keeps visitors safe in museum galleries, watching for touching or damage and responding to emergencies.
They watch galleries, remind visitors not to touch, and respond to emergencies. Many museum guards are artists themselves, and some museums have staged exhibitions curated by guards. It's a way to spend every day with great art.
Based on BLS security guards, May 2024 estimates.
Approximate: anchored on Bureau of Labor Statistics data for a broader job group.
High school diploma, about 0 years after high school. High school diploma; state security guard license in many states.
Ways in: On-the-job training, Certification. Training cost: Get paid while you train.
Growing about average (about 3% over 10 years). About average growth projected.
Medium risk for 10 years. AI cameras and sensors cover more galleries with fewer guards; in-person presence and visitor help remain.
Age 18+. One way to start: Apply to museums or security companies that staff them; ask if they pay for the guard license First: State security guard license (a short course plus background check) in many states
Classes: Criminal justice CTE, Psychology, Physical education.
Official data: O*NET occupation 33-9032.
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.