Curators Salary in the United States
The median annual wage for curators in the U.S. is $63,420 ($30.49 per hour), according to the BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics program, May 2025 estimates.
- Median annual wage
- $63,420
- Mean annual wage
- $71,560
- Median hourly wage
- $30.49
- Employment
- 12,150
12,150 employed
Wage percentiles
| Percentile | Annual wage | Hourly wage |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $40,470 | $19.46 |
| 25th percentile | $48,870 | $23.49 |
| Median (50th) | $63,420 | $30.49 |
| 75th percentile | $83,080 | $39.94 |
| 90th percentile | $107,140 | $51.51 |
Highest-paying states for curators
| State | Median annual wage | Employment |
|---|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $93,310 | 140 |
| New Hampshire | $82,490 | 60 |
| New York | $79,120 | 1,330 |
| California | $78,740 | 1,140 |
| Rhode Island | $77,930 | 70 |
| New Jersey | $77,800 | 120 |
| Massachusetts | $77,790 | 370 |
| Connecticut | $76,510 | 190 |
| South Dakota | $74,990 | 50 |
| Washington | $74,030 | 260 |
Lowest-paying states
- Mississippi: $40,600 median annual wage
- South Carolina: $47,200 median annual wage
- North Carolina: $49,470 median annual wage
- Hawaii: $50,720 median annual wage
- Iowa: $53,830 median annual wage
About this occupation
Administer collections, such as artwork, collectibles, historic items, or scientific specimens of museums or other institutions. May conduct instructional, research, or public service activities of institution.
Typical tasks
- Arrange insurance coverage for objects on loan or for special exhibits and recommend changes in coverage for the entire collection.
- Attend meetings, conventions, and civic events to promote use of institution's services, to seek financing, and to maintain community alliances.
- Plan and conduct special research projects in area of interest or expertise.
- Write and review grant proposals, journal articles, institutional reports, and publicity materials.
- Study, examine, and test acquisitions to authenticate their origin, composition, history, and to assess their current value.
- Inspect premises to assess the need for repairs and to ensure that climate and pest control issues are addressed.
Education of the current workforce — typical entry: Master's degree
| Education level | Share of workers |
|---|---|
| Less than high school diploma | 1.2% |
| High school diploma or equivalent | 6.6% |
| Some college, no degree | 9.0% |
| Associate's degree | 4.3% |
| Bachelor's degree | 36.1% |
| Master's degree | 35.3% |
| Doctoral or professional degree | 7.4% |
Occupation profile data from CareerOneStop, sponsored by the U.S. Department of Labor.
Related occupations
- Teaching Assistants, Except Postsecondary$36,780
- Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education$63,970
- Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education$72,040
- Middle School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education$64,370
- Substitute Teachers, Short-Term$41,670
- Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education$38,140
- Self-Enrichment Teachers$46,800
- Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten and Elementary School$65,120
About this data
- Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics — data period May 2025, retrieved August 13, 2026.
- Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics — data period May 2025, retrieved August 13, 2026.
- CareerOneStop Occupation Profiles — data period 2026-08, retrieved August 14, 2026.
Figures are shown exactly as published by the source or derived by the documented formulas on our methodology page. Where a source suppresses an estimate, we show “—” rather than a substitute value.