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 71 reviews)); "Benefits are great and the option to telework." ((in 34 reviews)); "Great staff I enjoyed my time there." ((in 20 reviews)); "Great coworkers and behind the scenes access to museum collections" ((in 18 reviews)); "Amazing opportunities to work on global projects and collaborate with internationally celebrated artists and scholars." ((in 18 reviews))

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

"Low pay and no promotion oportunity" ((in 28 reviews)); "Lack of leadership and hard to fire" ((in 14 reviews)); "Unpaid internship where I was doing some of the same work that paid employees were doing." ((in 12 reviews)); "Low salary for DC metropolitan area" ((in 11 reviews)); "Long hours and very administrative at times" ((in 10 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

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

Company ratings over time

Ratings trend for the last 6 months (510 reviews)

Ratings by demographic groups

Race / Ethnicity

Gender

Sexual orientation

Disability

Parent or family caregiver

Veteran status

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).

Reviews by job title

510 reviews

4.0

May 20, 2018

Theater Attendent

Anonymous employee

Recommend

CEO approval

Business Outlook

Pros

Good insight to management, great team to work with.

Cons

None, really. Pay can always be better

2.0

May 16, 2018

superviser

Anonymous employee

Recommend

CEO approval

Business Outlook

Pros

to increase on my carrier and responsibility

Cons

increasing levels in technology and small size of the company

4.0

May 11, 2018

Passionate people and a great mission, with normal non-profit pitfalls

Anonymous employee

Recommend

CEO approval

Business Outlook

Pros

Everyone I worked with was passionate about the organization and committed to success. In my role from a centralized office, I was also able to observe and experience the amazing contributions being made across the Institution, and having insider access was one of the best perks of my job. Being based in the fundraising arm of the Institution, it was rewarding to see the passion that Smithsonian donors also brought to the organization. As with most large organizations, team dynamic is crucial, and my immediate team, along with my broader team, was predominantly welcoming and collaborative. Some areas of management need improvement, but overall it seemed to be moving in a good direction. Great work/life balance, good health and retirement benefits, and reasonable pay for a DC-based non-profit. Nice staff discounts at the museums, and being able to enter museums through the staff entrance (read: bypassing the lines) was an incredible perk, particularly during busy tourist seasons.

Cons

As with any large organization, there are wearisome internal politics, particularly once you add in the 60/40 federal/private dynamic (and be aware that government shutdowns affect the organization). Just as the benefits mimic the pros of government systems, so too does the pay scale - it is extremely difficult to advance within your role. To advance, most people must leave the organization or move between different internal units. With high turnover, people who want to stay often take on much more work than originally hired for, without the benefit of promotion or increased salary. Also, despite my department's efforts for strategic planning, priorities often shifted rapidly and without much notice. Multiple projects would get started and then shelved.

Viewing 325 - 327 of 510 Reviews

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Jobs at Smithsonian

Audiovisual Production Specialist

Exhibits Specialist (IS-1010-11)

Gift Officer (Supervisory), IS-1001-13

Smithsonian

Smithsonian reviews

Company ratings over time

Ratings by demographic groups

Reviews by job title

Theater Attendent

superviser

Passionate people and a great mission, with normal non-profit pitfalls

Top companies for "Compensation and Benefits" near you

Jobs at Smithsonian