Does Smithsonian pay their employees well?

According to anonymously submitted Glassdoor reviews, Smithsonian employees rate their compensation and benefits as 3.7 out of 5. Find out more about salaries and benefits at Smithsonian. This rating has improved by 5% over the last 12 months.

How satisfied are employees working at Smithsonian?

66% of Smithsonian employees would recommend working there to a friend based on Glassdoor reviews . Employees also rated Smithsonian 4.1 out of 5 for work life balance, 4.0 for culture and values and 3.4 for career opportunities.

What are the top reviewed jobs at Smithsonian?

Intern (56) , Internship (13) , Explainer (10) , Retail Sales Associate (9) , Sales Associate (9) , Contractor (8) , Postdoctoral Fellow (8) , Research Assistant (8) , Museum Specialist (7) , Program Coordinator (7) , Security Officer (7) , Archivist (6) , Curator (6) , Education Specialist (6) , Program Assistant (6)

What are the pros of working at Smithsonian according to real employee reviews?

"And you will meet so many great people (tourist) from all over the world." ((in 70 reviews)); "Benefits are great and the option to telework." ((in 35 reviews)); "Great staff I enjoyed my time there." ((in 21 reviews)); "Great coworkers and behind the scenes access to museum collections" ((in 18 reviews)); "Working NMAH was a great opportunity to contribute to a public facing organization and learn new skills." ((in 18 reviews))

What are the cons of working at Smithsonian according to real employee reviews?

"Low pay and no promotion oportunity" ((in 29 reviews)); "Lack of leadership and hard to fire" ((in 14 reviews)); "Low salary for DC metropolitan area" ((in 12 reviews)); "Unpaid internship where I was doing some of the same work that paid employees were doing." ((in 12 reviews)); "Long hours and very administrative at times" ((in 8 reviews))

What are the top reviewed Smithsonian locations?

Washington , Chantilly , New York , Suitland , Arlington , Chicago , Front Royal , Annapolis , Edgewater , District Heights , Falls Church , Herndon , Manassas , Sterling , Wisconsin Rapids , Tucson , Ann Arbor , Burlington , Saint Cloud , Shepherdstown , San Diego , Berkeley , Las Vegas , Ruston , Seattle , Catonsville , Columbia , California , Chevy Chase , Fort Washington

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Smithsonian

Smithsonian reviews

4.1

66% would recommend to a friend

(510 total reviews)

Dr. David J. Skorton

75% approve of CEO

64% positive business outlook

Ratings by category

4.3

Diversity & inclusion

4.1

Work/Life balance

4.0

Culture & values

3.7

Compensation and benefits

3.4

Senior management

3.4

Career opportunities

Smithsonian has an employee rating of 4.1 out of 5 stars, based on 510 company reviews on Glassdoor which indicates that most employees have an excellent working experience there. The Smithsonian employee rating is in line with the average (within 1 standard deviation) for employers within the Nonprofit & NGO industry (3.7 stars).

Ratings by demographic groups

Race / Ethnicity

Gender

Sexual orientation

Disability

Parent or family caregiver

Veteran status

Reviews by job title

510 reviews

5.0

Apr 19, 2018

Explainer at Air and Space Museum (D.C)

Explainer

Recommend

CEO approval

Business Outlook

Pros

The interview process is long but entertaining as you have to perform a demo in a group setting. The explainer program is geared towards high school students and college students so it's nice to be working with a group of people around the same age apart from your coordinator. They make sure you are ready with the correct information and ability to perform before putting you on the floor. Overall great experience and great opportunity to network.

Cons

Only con was you must learn each demo fast enough b/c once you fall behind it seems almost as if they kinda stop helping you progress and then you're on your own.

4.0

Apr 2, 2018

Major Gifts Officer

Major gifts officer

Recommend

CEO approval

Business Outlook

Pros

The mission can't be beat.

Cons

It is quasi-governmental and somewhat bureaucratic.

4.0

Mar 28, 2018

Great experience at a reputable intitution

Anonymous employee

Recommend

CEO approval

Business Outlook

Pros

Autonomy in my working environment, great resources and reputation

Cons

Not many benefits, no W-2 forms so taxes are a mess, a lot of bureaucracy and red tape

Viewing 343 - 345 of 510 Reviews

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Jobs at Smithsonian

Collections Move Coordinator

Program Assistant (IS-0303-06)

Program Assistant (IS-0303-06)