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Curatorial assistant salary
Average curatorial assistant salary
$48,577
Understanding the Curatorial Assistant Salary
A Curatorial Assistant typically earns an average salary of $48,577 annually. This figure can fluctuate based on several factors including geographical location, experience level, and the sector of employment. For example, curatorial assistants in metropolitan areas often earn more due to the higher cost of living and increased demand for cultural programming.
Salary by Experience Level
Entry-level positions may start around $35,000, while those with 5-10 years of experience can expect salaries upward of $60,000. Professionals in leadership roles or specialized positions may earn even more.
Top Paying States
States such as New York, California, and Texas offer the highest salaries for curatorial assistants, reflecting their vibrant cultural sectors and numerous institutions. In addition to salary, benefits such as health insurance and retirement plans can enhance overall compensation.
Industries with Higher Salaries
Curatorial assistants in the museum sector often report higher earnings compared to those in smaller galleries or non-profits. Furthermore, specialization in areas like digital archiving or exhibition management can lead to additional opportunities and financial benefits.
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Where can a Curatorial Assistant earn more?
Curatorial assistant salaries by experience level
Curatorial assistant salary estimates from across the web
Average curatorial assistant salary by state
The average curatorial assistant salary in Colorado, Massachusetts, and Hawaii are the highest in the U.S. The lowest average curatorial assistant salary states are Iowa, New Mexico, and Georgia.
- State view
- County view
Highest paying states for curatorial assistants
| Rank | State | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Colorado | $62,642 | $30.12 |
| 2 | Massachusetts | $59,189 | $28.46 |
| 3 | Alaska | $56,863 | $27.34 |
| 4 | Wyoming | $53,369 | $25.66 |
| 5 | New York | $56,597 | $27.21 |
| 6 | Washington | $58,796 | $28.27 |
| 7 | Rhode Island | $56,799 | $27.31 |
| 8 | Minnesota | $55,303 | $26.59 |
| 9 | Hawaii | $58,902 | $28.32 |
| 10 | Connecticut | $55,327 | $26.60 |
| 11 | North Dakota | $55,466 | $26.67 |
| 12 | Michigan | $52,934 | $25.45 |
| 13 | Texas | $51,989 | $24.99 |
| 14 | Utah | $50,771 | $24.41 |
| 15 | California | $54,635 | $26.27 |
| 16 | District of Columbia | $53,682 | $25.81 |
| 17 | Vermont | $52,021 | $25.01 |
| 18 | Illinois | $52,260 | $25.13 |
| 19 | Oregon | $52,558 | $25.27 |
| 20 | Nebraska | $48,778 | $23.45 |
| 21 | New Jersey | $52,754 | $25.36 |
| 22 | Arizona | $48,817 | $23.47 |
| 23 | Pennsylvania | $48,266 | $23.20 |
| 24 | North Carolina | $49,517 | $23.81 |
| 25 | Florida | $48,511 | $23.32 |
| 26 | Maryland | $51,936 | $24.97 |
| 27 | Virginia | $49,810 | $23.95 |
| 28 | South Carolina | $49,473 | $23.79 |
| 29 | Kansas | $49,607 | $23.85 |
| 30 | Alabama | $49,630 | $23.86 |
| 31 | Tennessee | $47,022 | $22.61 |
| 32 | Maine | $49,613 | $23.85 |
| 33 | Wisconsin | $45,996 | $22.11 |
| 34 | Delaware | $50,396 | $24.23 |
| 35 | West Virginia | $44,096 | $21.20 |
| 36 | New Hampshire | $47,928 | $23.04 |
| 37 | Mississippi | $47,067 | $22.63 |
| 38 | Missouri | $48,269 | $23.21 |
| 39 | Idaho | $44,797 | $21.54 |
| 40 | Ohio | $43,207 | $20.77 |
| 41 | Montana | $43,296 | $20.82 |
| 42 | Kentucky | $44,605 | $21.44 |
| 43 | Iowa | $42,845 | $20.60 |
| 44 | Nevada | $43,350 | $20.84 |
| 45 | Louisiana | $44,230 | $21.26 |
| 46 | South Dakota | $43,219 | $20.78 |
| 47 | Arkansas | $42,245 | $20.31 |
| 48 | Georgia | $42,496 | $20.43 |
| 49 | Indiana | $40,742 | $19.59 |
| 50 | New Mexico | $42,578 | $20.47 |
| 51 | Oklahoma | $39,818 | $19.14 |
Highest paying cities for curatorial assistants
The highest-paying cities for curatorial assistants are Bridgewater, MA, New York, NY, and Santa Barbara, CA.
| Rank | City | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bridgewater, MA | $59,401 | $28.56 |
| 2 | New York, NY | $56,689 | $27.25 |
| 3 | Santa Barbara, CA | $54,849 | $26.37 |
| 4 | McAllen, TX | $52,843 | $25.41 |
| 5 | Chicago, IL | $52,378 | $25.18 |
| 6 | Dover, DE | $50,423 | $24.24 |
| 7 | Charleston, SC | $49,508 | $23.80 |
Curatorial assistant salary details
A curatorial assistant's salary ranges from $38,000 a year at the 10th percentile to $62,000 at the 90th percentile.
What is a curatorial assistant's salary?
| Percentile | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 90th Percentile | $62,000 | $5,167 | $30 |
| 75th Percentile | $55,000 | $4,583 | $26 |
| Average | $48,577 | $4,048 | $23 |
| 25th Percentile | $42,000 | $3,500 | $20 |
| 10th Percentile | $38,000 | $3,167 | $18 |
Top companies hiring curatorial assistants now:
Which companies pay curatorial assistants the most?
Curatorial assistant salaries at Bridgewater State University and The University of Chicago are the highest-paying according to our most recent salary estimates. In addition, the average curatorial assistant salary at companies like The Museum of Modern Art and International Center of Photography are highly competitive.
| Rank | Company | Average salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bridgewater State University | $55,713 | $26.79 |
| 2 | The University of Chicago | $53,165 | $25.56 |
| 3 | The Museum of Modern Art | $53,143 | $25.55 |
| 4 | International Center of Photography | $48,225 | $23.19 |
| 5 | The City University of New York | $48,059 | $23.11 |
| 6 | MUSEUM.COM | $47,711 | $22.94 |
| 7 | Santa Barbara Museum of Art | $47,187 | $22.69 |
| 8 | Historic Charleston Foundation | $40,195 | $19.32 |
| 9 | Delaware State University | $39,133 | $18.81 |
| 10 | Bowdoin College | $35,188 | $16.92 |
Wage gap by gender, race and education
Curatorial Assistant salary by industry
The average curatorial assistant salary varies across industries:
- The average curatorial assistant salary in the education industry is $49,600, the highest of any industry.
- The average curatorial assistant salary in the finance industry is $49,436.
- Curatorial assistants in the retail industry earn an average salary of $43,799, the lowest of any industry.
Highest paying industries for curatorial assistants
| Rank | Industry | Average salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Education | $49,600 | $23.85 |
| 2 | Insurance | $49,436 | $23.77 |
| 3 | Non Profits | $48,579 | $23.36 |
| 4 | Retail | $43,799 | $21.06 |
High paying curatorial assistant jobs
Curatorial assistant salary trends
The average curatorial assistant salary has risen by $8,727 over the last ten years. In 2014, the average curatorial assistant earned $39,850 annually, but today, they earn $48,577 a year. That works out to a 12% change in pay for curatorial assistants over the last decade.
Compare curatorial assistant salaries for cities or states with the national average over time.
Average curatorial assistant salary over time
Compare curatorial assistant salaries for individual cities or states with the national average.
Curatorial assistant salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $48,600 | $23.35 | +3.0% |
| 2024 | $47,100 | $22.66 | +2.8% |
| 2023 | $45,800 | $22.02 | +2.8% |
| 2022 | $44,500 | $21.39 | +2.2% |
| 2021 | $43,500 | $20.93 | +2.6% |
Recently added curatorial assistant salaries
| Company | Job | Location | Date added | Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Virginia Commonwealth University | Curatorial Assistant-Institute for Contemporary Art-VCU ICA | Richmond, VA | 06/26/2025 | $39,653 |
| VCU | Curatorial Assistant-Institute for Contemporary Art-VCU ICA | Richmond, VA | 06/26/2025 | $39,653 |
| Massachusetts College of Art and Design | Maam Curatorial Affairs Manager (APA Level Assistant Director) | Boston, MA | 06/21/2025 | $75,000 |
| Harvard University, Harvard College Observatory | Curatorial Assistant (LHT) at The Harvard Plate Stacks | Cambridge, MA | 06/10/2025 | $41,740 |
| Museum of Fine Arts | Curatorial Assistant, Chinese Paintings and Calligraphy | Boston, MA | 06/08/2025 | $54,000 |
| University of North Dakota | Curatorial Assistant | Grand Forks, ND | 05/24/2025 | $27,131 |
| SB Museum of Natural History | Curatorial Assistant-Anthropology | Santa Barbara, CA | 04/26/2025 | $47,417 |
| Oakland Museum of Ca | Curatorial Assistant | Oakland, CA | 04/25/2025 | $65,281 |
| Amherst College | Curatorial Assistant (Casual Position) | Amherst, NY | 04/21/2025 | $45,914 |
| Moma Design Store | Curatorial Assistant | Department of Media and Performance | New York, NY | 04/21/2025 | $69,211 |
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