Does Smithsonian pay their employees well?

According to anonymously submitted Glassdoor reviews, Smithsonian employees rate their compensation and benefits as 3.6 out of 5. Find out more about salaries and benefits at Smithsonian. This rating has improved by 4% over the last 12 months.

How satisfied are employees working at Smithsonian?

69% of Smithsonian employees would recommend working there to a friend based on Glassdoor reviews . Employees also rated Smithsonian 4.2 out of 5 for work life balance, 4.1 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 64 reviews)); "Good benefits and bear transit" ((in 40 reviews)); "Great staff I enjoyed my time there." ((in 24 reviews)); "Great coworkers and behind the scenes access to museum collections" ((in 17 reviews)); "Working NMAH was a great opportunity to contribute to a public facing organization and learn new skills." ((in 17 reviews))

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

"Low pay and no promotion oportunity" ((in 28 reviews)); "Low salary for DC metropolitan area" ((in 16 reviews)); "Lack of leadership and hard to fire" ((in 13 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 9 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 , Ann Arbor , Burlington , Saint Cloud , Shepherdstown , San Diego , Berkeley , Las Vegas , Ruston , Seattle , Catonsville , Columbia , California , Chevy Chase , Fort Washington , Kensington

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Smithsonian

Smithsonian reviews

4.1

69% would recommend to a friend

(88 total reviews)

Dr. David J. Skorton

80% approve of CEO

64% positive business outlook

Ratings by category

4.3

Diversity & inclusion

4.2

Work/Life balance

4.1

Culture & values

3.6

Compensation and benefits

3.5

Senior management

3.4

Career opportunities

Ratings by demographic groups

Race / Ethnicity

Gender

Sexual orientation

Disability

Parent or family caregiver

Veteran status

Reviews by job title

88 reviews

Reviews about "Compensation"

Return to all reviews

3.0

Jun 11, 2024

Take Everything at Face Value

Sales associate

Recommend

CEO approval

Business Outlook

Pros

They offer smart trips so you can go too and from work. Meeting new guests from around the world and learning information is educational. I consider it a great beginner job. Pay is also wonderful.

Cons

Even though it is a great beginner job, that is all that it is. All in all, depending where you go, you may find an amazing manager or become a yes-man. Once you open your eyes you can see that there is a huge turn over rate. That just means more work for you and plenty of "we are a family" without the group effort.

4.0

Jun 10, 2024

Natural History Museum

Library assistant

Recommend

CEO approval

Business Outlook

Pros

Great benefits, cool location, you get to meet people from different countries and backgrounds

Cons

Low salary, nosy coworkers, work can be a little boring.

1.0

May 13, 2024

Terrible Management; Incompetency is Rampant; No Academic Freedom

Scientist

Recommend

CEO approval

Business Outlook

Pros

I can genuinely say I have nothing to good to relate about working here.

Cons

This is an institution that is falling apart. There is high turnover, the pay and benefits are terrible, very little transparency in decision making, and an extremely toxic culture of fear. Institutional policies are weaponized for personal vendettas, and completely ignored when it comes to employee rights. This all results in high levels of anxiety, incompetence, fear, and aggression among staff. Administration has also pushed a heavy anti-union/union busting regime against Trust employees. This is coupled with deplorable attacks on academic freedom. Be warned, academic freedom does not exist at the Smithsonian Institution. Research is only acceptable for work that aligns with the interest of donors and upper management. My recommendation for anyone coming to Smithsonian for a research based position: RUN!

Viewing 10 - 12 of 88 Reviews

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Jobs at Smithsonian

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Retail Stock Associate

Audiovisual Production Specialist