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As of October 2025, the average salary for a Gallery Assistant is approximately $35,065 per year, translating to around $17 per hour. This compensation can vary significantly based on factors such as geographic location, years of experience, and the specific industry segment.
Gallery assistants can expect to earn more in states like California and New York, where the cost of living is higher and cultural institutions are more prevalent. Additionally, those who advance to supervisory roles or specialize in areas such as exhibition design may command higher salaries.
Entry-level gallery assistants typically earn less than their more experienced counterparts. For instance, those with less than one year of experience may start at around $30,000, while seasoned professionals with several years in the field can earn upwards of $45,000.
Some of the highest paying industries for gallery assistants include museums, art galleries, and cultural institutions, where salaries often reflect the institution's funding and visitor engagement levels. For those entering the art field, understanding these dynamics can be crucial for career planning.
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The average gallery assistant salary in Hawaii, Washington, and Alaska are the highest in the U.S. The lowest average gallery assistant salary states are Georgia, Tennessee, and Arkansas.
| Rank | State | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Hawaii | $55,442 | $26.65 |
| 2 | Alaska | $50,917 | $24.48 |
| 3 | Washington | $53,422 | $25.68 |
| 4 | Connecticut | $49,424 | $23.76 |
| 5 | Wyoming | $44,299 | $21.30 |
| 6 | New York | $44,159 | $21.23 |
| 7 | District of Columbia | $47,004 | $22.60 |
| 8 | Minnesota | $46,642 | $22.42 |
| 9 | Utah | $42,202 | $20.29 |
| 10 | Wisconsin | $41,247 | $19.83 |
| 11 | North Dakota | $49,037 | $23.58 |
| 12 | Oregon | $45,905 | $22.07 |
| 13 | Rhode Island | $44,598 | $21.44 |
| 14 | Massachusetts | $40,977 | $19.70 |
| 15 | California | $43,687 | $21.00 |
| 16 | Vermont | $43,686 | $21.00 |
| 17 | Arizona | $38,834 | $18.67 |
| 18 | New Hampshire | $41,463 | $19.93 |
| 19 | Illinois | $39,871 | $19.17 |
| 20 | Colorado | $38,160 | $18.35 |
| 21 | South Dakota | $40,012 | $19.24 |
| 22 | Nevada | $37,476 | $18.02 |
| 23 | Iowa | $38,515 | $18.52 |
| 24 | Ohio | $33,836 | $16.27 |
| 25 | Missouri | $38,606 | $18.56 |
| 26 | Kansas | $38,457 | $18.49 |
| 27 | New Jersey | $39,303 | $18.90 |
| 28 | New Mexico | $38,356 | $18.44 |
| 29 | Nebraska | $35,217 | $16.93 |
| 30 | Montana | $34,751 | $16.71 |
| 31 | Texas | $34,986 | $16.82 |
| 32 | Maine | $36,763 | $17.67 |
| 33 | South Carolina | $35,084 | $16.87 |
| 34 | Virginia | $34,628 | $16.65 |
| 35 | Maryland | $36,507 | $17.55 |
| 36 | Idaho | $34,448 | $16.56 |
| 37 | Indiana | $34,489 | $16.58 |
| 38 | Florida | $32,571 | $15.66 |
| 39 | Michigan | $33,155 | $15.94 |
| 40 | Pennsylvania | $31,711 | $15.25 |
| 41 | Alabama | $34,151 | $16.42 |
| 42 | West Virginia | $32,198 | $15.48 |
| 43 | North Carolina | $32,999 | $15.86 |
| 44 | Tennessee | $31,421 | $15.11 |
| 45 | Mississippi | $32,660 | $15.70 |
| 46 | Georgia | $31,647 | $15.21 |
| 47 | Louisiana | $31,941 | $15.36 |
| 48 | Kentucky | $29,273 | $14.07 |
| 49 | Arkansas | $30,686 | $14.75 |
| 50 | Oklahoma | $28,235 | $13.57 |
| 51 | Delaware | $29,662 | $14.26 |
The highest-paying cities for gallery assistants are Seattle, WA, Minneapolis, MN, and Palo Alto, CA.
| Rank | City | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Seattle, WA | $53,687 | $25.81 |
| 2 | Minneapolis, MN | $46,644 | $22.43 |
| 3 | Palo Alto, CA | $45,120 | $21.69 |
| 4 | New York, NY | $43,975 | $21.14 |
| 5 | Manchester, NH | $41,548 | $19.98 |
| 6 | Chicago, IL | $39,975 | $19.22 |
| 7 | Scottsdale, AZ | $38,890 | $18.70 |
| 8 | Denver, CO | $38,233 | $18.38 |
| 9 | Springfield, MO | $37,783 | $18.16 |
| 10 | Las Vegas, NV | $37,281 | $17.92 |
| 11 | Lubbock, TX | $36,225 | $17.42 |
| 12 | Pittsburgh, PA | $31,788 | $15.28 |
A gallery assistant's salary ranges from $25,000 a year at the 10th percentile to $48,000 at the 90th percentile.

| Percentile | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 90th Percentile | $48,000 | $4,000 | $23 |
| 75th Percentile | $41,000 | $3,417 | $20 |
| Average | $35,065 | $2,922 | $17 |
| 25th Percentile | $29,000 | $2,417 | $14 |
| 10th Percentile | $25,000 | $2,083 | $12 |
Top companies hiring gallery assistants now:
Gallery assistant salaries at Saint Xavier University and Saint Anselm College are the highest-paying according to our most recent salary estimates. In addition, the average gallery assistant salary at companies like Walker Art Center and Bauman Rare Books are highly competitive.
| Rank | Company | Average salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Saint Xavier University | $50,848 | $24.45 |
| 2 | Saint Anselm College | $48,282 | $23.21 |
| 3 | Walker Art Center | $43,607 | $20.96 |
| 4 | Bauman Rare Books | $36,859 | $17.72 |
| 5 | Univ. Of Texas Cancer Ctr. | $36,808 | $17.70 |
| 6 | RH | $36,750 | $17.67 |
| 7 | PSEA | $35,705 | $17.17 |
| 8 | Missouri State University | $33,368 | $16.04 |
| 9 | Metropolitan State University of Denver | $27,406 | $13.18 |
The average gallery assistant salary varies across industries:
| Rank | Industry | Average salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Education | $39,418 | $18.95 |
| 2 | Professional | $36,567 | $17.58 |
| 3 | Internet | $34,339 | $16.51 |
| 4 | Manufacturing | $34,306 | $16.49 |
| 5 | Retail | $30,776 | $14.80 |
| 6 | Media | $27,663 | $13.30 |
The average gallery assistant salary has risen by $6,300 over the last ten years. In 2014, the average gallery assistant earned $28,765 annually, but today, they earn $35,065 a year. That works out to a 12% change in pay for gallery assistants over the last decade.
Compare gallery assistant salaries for cities or states with the national average over time.
Compare gallery assistant salaries for individual cities or states with the national average.
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $35,100 | $16.86 | +3.0% |
| 2024 | $34,000 | $16.35 | +2.8% |
| 2023 | $33,100 | $15.89 | +2.8% |
| 2022 | $32,100 | $15.44 | +2.2% |
| 2021 | $31,400 | $15.11 | +2.6% |
| Company | Job | Location | Date added | Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| University of Arkansas | Extra Help/Trojan Works Art Gallery Assistant | Little Rock, AR | 06/30/2025 | $22,957 |
| Walker Art Center | Gallery Assistant | Minneapolis, MN | 06/21/2025 | $36,293 |
| Lois Lambert Gallery | Gallery Assistant | Santa Monica, CA | 05/30/2025 | $41,740 |
| David Zwirner | Gallery Assistant | New York, NY | 05/10/2025 | $50,000 |
| University of Arkansas at Little Rock | Extra Help/Trojan Works Art Gallery Assistant | Little Rock, AR | 05/09/2025 | $22,957 |
| University of Arkansas System | Extra Help/Trojan Works Art Gallery Assistant | Little Rock, AR | 05/04/2025 | $22,957 |
| Eastern Kentucky University | Gallery Assistant & Technician | Richmond, KY | 04/30/2025 | $16,696 |
| Ivy Tech Community College | Gallery Paraprofessional | South Bend, IN | 04/26/2025 | $39,069 |
| Villanova University | Summer Art Gallery Assistant | Kane, PA | 04/24/2025 | $23,479 |
| Dallas College | Gallery Assistant (LAB Assistant) | Dallas, TX | 04/22/2025 | $46,039 |
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