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

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

Sep 6, 2021

Great place to work

Anonymous employee

Recommend

CEO approval

Business Outlook

Pros

Interesting co-workers in varied fields; like a University

Cons

pay is typical government pay

5.0

Sep 1, 2021

Smithsonian

Deputy director of communications

Recommend

CEO approval

Business Outlook

Pros

It's the Smithsonian Institution. Seriously amazing.

Cons

No ability to move quickly and red tape can be challenging.

5.0

Aug 30, 2021

Postdoctoral Researcher

Postdoctoral researcher

Recommend

CEO approval

Business Outlook

Pros

There is a very supportive community.

Cons

You have to be a US citizen to be hired.

Viewing 238 - 240 of 510 Reviews

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Jobs at Smithsonian

Sustainable Agriculture Physical Scientist, IS-1301-13

Director, Human Resources, IS-0201-14

Administration, Finance, and Operations Manager (Administrative Specialist)

Gift Officer (Supervisory), IS-1001-13

Gift Officer, IS-1001-13