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Curators of Education are essential in museums and educational institutions, tasked with developing engaging programs and resources. As of October 2025, the average salary for this role stands at $46,489 annually. Salaries vary based on several factors including geographic location, years of experience, and the type of institution.
Some states offer higher salaries for Curators of Education. For instance, states like California and New York tend to have average salaries exceeding $50,000, reflecting the cost of living and demand in major urban areas. Conversely, positions in rural areas may average around $40,000.
Experience plays a crucial role in determining salary levels. Entry-level positions may start around $35,000, while seasoned professionals can earn upwards of $60,000 annually. Additionally, curators working in specialized fields such as art or science museums often command higher salaries due to the complexity of their roles.
Overall, understanding these factors is vital for those considering a career as a Curator of Education. By researching average salaries and job opportunities in different regions, individuals can make informed career decisions and identify where their expertise is most valued.
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The average curator of education salary in Alaska, Oregon, and Delaware are the highest in the U.S. The lowest average curator of education salary states are Arkansas, Michigan, and Louisiana.
| Rank | State | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Oregon | $57,361 | $27.58 |
| 2 | District of Columbia | $59,412 | $28.56 |
| 3 | Delaware | $54,237 | $26.08 |
| 4 | Nevada | $53,620 | $25.78 |
| 5 | Connecticut | $51,537 | $24.78 |
| 6 | Alaska | $62,089 | $29.85 |
| 7 | New Hampshire | $48,559 | $23.35 |
| 8 | Arizona | $47,611 | $22.89 |
| 9 | Minnesota | $48,596 | $23.36 |
| 10 | Rhode Island | $50,641 | $24.35 |
| 11 | Virginia | $54,076 | $26.00 |
| 12 | Washington | $51,766 | $24.89 |
| 13 | North Dakota | $49,824 | $23.95 |
| 14 | West Virginia | $48,713 | $23.42 |
| 15 | California | $53,084 | $25.52 |
| 16 | Idaho | $47,904 | $23.03 |
| 17 | Tennessee | $44,633 | $21.46 |
| 18 | Utah | $47,728 | $22.95 |
| 19 | Ohio | $46,591 | $22.40 |
| 20 | Wisconsin | $46,705 | $22.45 |
| 21 | Nebraska | $44,438 | $21.36 |
| 22 | Colorado | $44,718 | $21.50 |
| 23 | Pennsylvania | $43,336 | $20.83 |
| 24 | Maine | $43,724 | $21.02 |
| 25 | Oklahoma | $44,956 | $21.61 |
| 26 | Kentucky | $44,995 | $21.63 |
| 27 | Indiana | $44,605 | $21.44 |
| 28 | New Mexico | $41,579 | $19.99 |
| 29 | New York | $43,801 | $21.06 |
| 30 | Texas | $44,584 | $21.43 |
| 31 | Maryland | $43,898 | $21.10 |
| 32 | Kansas | $42,568 | $20.47 |
| 33 | Vermont | $41,152 | $19.78 |
| 34 | Montana | $40,969 | $19.70 |
| 35 | Georgia | $44,309 | $21.30 |
| 36 | Illinois | $39,907 | $19.19 |
| 37 | Mississippi | $43,632 | $20.98 |
| 38 | New Jersey | $40,119 | $19.29 |
| 39 | Iowa | $38,540 | $18.53 |
| 40 | Michigan | $37,347 | $17.96 |
| 41 | Massachusetts | $40,537 | $19.49 |
| 42 | Wyoming | $34,450 | $16.56 |
| 43 | Alabama | $39,740 | $19.11 |
| 44 | South Carolina | $36,741 | $17.66 |
| 45 | South Dakota | $38,895 | $18.70 |
| 46 | Arkansas | $38,085 | $18.31 |
| 47 | Missouri | $38,154 | $18.34 |
| 48 | Hawaii | $39,231 | $18.86 |
| 49 | North Carolina | $36,955 | $17.77 |
| 50 | Florida | $38,166 | $18.35 |
| 51 | Louisiana | $36,994 | $17.79 |
The highest-paying cities for curators of education are San Diego, CA, Minneapolis, MN, and Phoenix, AZ.
| Rank | City | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | San Diego, CA | $50,768 | $24.41 |
| 2 | Minneapolis, MN | $48,647 | $23.39 |
| 3 | Phoenix, AZ | $47,766 | $22.96 |
| 4 | San Antonio, TX | $44,968 | $21.62 |
| 5 | Farmington, NM | $42,065 | $20.22 |
| 6 | Saint Petersburg, FL | $38,284 | $18.41 |
| 7 | Durham, NC | $37,988 | $18.26 |
| 8 | Greenville, SC | $36,899 | $17.74 |
A curator of education's salary ranges from $30,000 a year at the 10th percentile to $70,000 at the 90th percentile.

| Percentile | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 90th Percentile | $70,000 | $5,833 | $34 |
| 75th Percentile | $57,000 | $4,750 | $27 |
| Average | $46,489 | $3,874 | $22 |
| 25th Percentile | $37,000 | $3,083 | $18 |
| 10th Percentile | $30,000 | $2,500 | $14 |
The highest paying types of curators of education are museum director, director of exhibits, and ancient art curator.
| Job title | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate | Job openings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Museum Curator | $44,309 | $3,692 | $21.30 | 413 |
| Curator | $47,923 | $3,994 | $23.04 | 432 |
Top companies hiring curators of education now:
Curator of education salaries at Walker Art Center and Washington and Lee University are the highest-paying according to our most recent salary estimates. In addition, the average curator of education salary at companies like The University of Texas at San Antonio and Ahmad, Zavitsanos, Anaipakos, Alavi & Mensing P.c. Or Aza are highly competitive.
| Rank | Company | Average salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Walker Art Center | $63,721 | $30.64 |
| 2 | Washington and Lee University | $53,945 | $25.94 |
| 3 | The University of Texas at San Antonio | $51,815 | $24.91 |
| 4 | Ahmad, Zavitsanos, Anaipakos, Alavi & Mensing P.c. Or Aza | $44,077 | $21.19 |
| 5 | The Florida Holocaust Museum | $42,708 | $20.53 |
| 6 | City of Farmington | $37,632 | $18.09 |
The average curator of education salary varies across industries:
| Rank | Industry | Average salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Education | $51,662 | $24.84 |
| 2 | Hospitality | $48,515 | $23.32 |
| 3 | Non Profits | $48,403 | $23.27 |
| 4 | Professional | $44,826 | $21.55 |
The average curator of education salary has risen by $6,681 over the last ten years. In 2014, the average curator of education earned $39,808 annually, but today, they earn $46,489 a year. That works out to a 7% change in pay for curators of education over the last decade.
Compare curator of education salaries for cities or states with the national average over time.
Compare curator of education salaries for individual cities or states with the national average.
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | $46,500 | $22.35 | +4.2% |
| 2025 | $44,500 | $21.40 | +1.4% |
| 2024 | $43,900 | $21.09 | +0.0% |
| 2023 | $43,900 | $21.09 | +0.8% |
| 2022 | $43,500 | $20.93 | +3.4% |
| Company | Job | Location | Date added | Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Churchill County | Education Curator | Fallon, NV | 05/22/2025 | $14,700 |
| Texas A&M University | Curator of Education | College Station, TX | 04/28/2025 | $47,000 |
| Northern Virginia Regional Park Authority | Education Curator | Alexandria, VA | 04/22/2025 | $39,653 |
| Neheadstart | Curator of Education | Lincoln, NE | 03/28/2025 | $48,439 |
| State of Nebraska | Curator of Education | Lincoln, NE | 03/25/2025 | $48,439 |
| Mobile County Personnel Board | Curator of Education (City of Mobile-National Maritime Museum of The Gulf) | Mobile, AL | 02/23/2025 | $51,879 |
| Mobile County (Al | Curator of Education (City of Mobile-National Maritime Museum of The Gulf) | Mobile, AL | 02/21/2025 | $51,879 |
| State of North Carolina | Education Curator | Beaufort, NC | 02/07/2025 | $39,671 |
| University of Texas at El Paso | Curator of Education | El Paso, TX | 01/25/2025 | $45,000 |
| Washington and Lee University | Curator of Education and Public Engagement | Lexington, VA | 11/25/2024 | $71,761 |
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