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Museum curator salary
Average museum curator salary
$44,309
Average Museum Curator Salary
The average salary for a museum curator in the United States is $44,309 per year, equating to around $21 per hour. This figure can vary significantly based on factors such as geographic location, years of experience, and the specific type of museum. For instance, curators in larger cities may command higher salaries due to the cost of living and demand for skilled professionals.
Where Can Museum Curators Earn More?
States like California, New York, and Texas often provide higher salaries for museum curators, reflecting their larger cultural institutions and funding. Additionally, curators working in specialized fields, such as art or history, may also see increased compensation. Understanding these dynamics can assist professionals in making informed career decisions and targeting their job search effectively.
Career Opportunities
- Art Museums
- Cultural Institutions
- Historical Societies
- Science Centers
As the role of museum curators evolves, there is a growing emphasis on public engagement and educational outreach, creating diverse career paths in this rewarding field.
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Where can a Museum Curator earn more?
Museum curator salary estimates from across the web
Average museum curator salary by state
The average museum curator salary in Alaska, Connecticut, and Delaware are the highest in the U.S. The lowest average museum curator salary states are Montana, North Carolina, and Hawaii.
- State view
- County view
Highest paying states for museum curators
| Rank | State | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Alaska | $56,715 | $27.27 |
| 2 | District of Columbia | $56,647 | $27.23 |
| 3 | Connecticut | $54,831 | $26.36 |
| 4 | New Hampshire | $51,482 | $24.75 |
| 5 | Maine | $45,447 | $21.85 |
| 6 | Virginia | $49,100 | $23.61 |
| 7 | Rhode Island | $53,845 | $25.89 |
| 8 | Delaware | $53,869 | $25.90 |
| 9 | New York | $48,731 | $23.43 |
| 10 | California | $50,645 | $24.35 |
| 11 | Texas | $46,089 | $22.16 |
| 12 | Nevada | $47,706 | $22.94 |
| 13 | Ohio | $44,310 | $21.30 |
| 14 | Pennsylvania | $44,018 | $21.16 |
| 15 | West Virginia | $45,176 | $21.72 |
| 16 | Massachusetts | $43,121 | $20.73 |
| 17 | North Dakota | $44,742 | $21.51 |
| 18 | Arizona | $45,361 | $21.81 |
| 19 | Nebraska | $39,093 | $18.79 |
| 20 | Wisconsin | $43,920 | $21.12 |
| 21 | Maryland | $42,488 | $20.43 |
| 22 | Kentucky | $39,971 | $19.22 |
| 23 | Tennessee | $38,734 | $18.62 |
| 24 | Oregon | $41,932 | $20.16 |
| 25 | Vermont | $43,232 | $20.78 |
| 26 | New Mexico | $37,957 | $18.25 |
| 27 | Oklahoma | $38,317 | $18.42 |
| 28 | Indiana | $40,969 | $19.70 |
| 29 | Minnesota | $41,170 | $19.79 |
| 30 | Washington | $38,287 | $18.41 |
| 31 | New Jersey | $41,740 | $20.07 |
| 32 | Kansas | $36,677 | $17.63 |
| 33 | Michigan | $36,492 | $17.54 |
| 34 | Mississippi | $37,834 | $18.19 |
| 35 | South Dakota | $34,273 | $16.48 |
| 36 | Colorado | $36,411 | $17.51 |
| 37 | Georgia | $37,782 | $18.16 |
| 38 | Utah | $37,425 | $17.99 |
| 39 | Illinois | $37,131 | $17.85 |
| 40 | Alabama | $34,169 | $16.43 |
| 41 | Iowa | $34,995 | $16.82 |
| 42 | Idaho | $35,887 | $17.25 |
| 43 | Wyoming | $28,122 | $13.52 |
| 44 | Missouri | $33,450 | $16.08 |
| 45 | Louisiana | $33,343 | $16.03 |
| 46 | North Carolina | $31,985 | $15.38 |
| 47 | Arkansas | $32,753 | $15.75 |
| 48 | Florida | $30,668 | $14.74 |
| 49 | Hawaii | $31,737 | $15.26 |
| 50 | Montana | $32,626 | $15.69 |
| 51 | South Carolina | $31,085 | $14.94 |
Highest paying cities for museum curators
The highest-paying cities for museum curators are Washington, DC, Windsor, CT, and San Bernardino, CA.
| Rank | City | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Washington, DC | $56,686 | $27.25 |
| 2 | Windsor, CT | $54,176 | $26.05 |
| 3 | San Bernardino, CA | $50,437 | $24.25 |
| 4 | Morgantown, WV | $47,889 | $23.02 |
| 5 | Harrisburg, PA | $43,642 | $20.98 |
| 6 | Las Cruces, NM | $40,317 | $19.38 |
| 7 | Greeley, CO | $36,413 | $17.51 |
| 8 | Saint Louis, MO | $33,818 | $16.26 |
| 9 | Jonesboro, AR | $32,843 | $15.79 |
| 10 | Tallahassee, FL | $32,049 | $15.41 |
| 11 | Cheyenne, WY | $27,792 | $13.36 |
Museum curator salary details
A museum curator's salary ranges from $25,000 a year at the 10th percentile to $77,000 at the 90th percentile.
What is a museum curator's salary?
| Percentile | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 90th Percentile | $77,000 | $6,417 | $37 |
| 75th Percentile | $59,000 | $4,917 | $28 |
| Average | $44,309 | $3,692 | $21 |
| 25th Percentile | $33,000 | $2,750 | $16 |
| 10th Percentile | $25,000 | $2,083 | $12 |
Which companies pay museum curators the most?
Museum curator salaries at Smithsonian Institution and Stanford University are the highest-paying according to our most recent salary estimates. In addition, the average museum curator salary at companies like National Park Foundation and West Virginia University are highly competitive.
| Rank | Company | Average salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Smithsonian Institution | $80,620 | $38.76 |
| 2 | Stanford University | $75,678 | $36.38 |
| 3 | National Park Foundation | $62,477 | $30.04 |
| 4 | West Virginia University | $45,293 | $21.78 |
| 5 | Town of Windsor | $40,654 | $19.55 |
| 6 | San Bernardino County | $40,347 | $19.40 |
| 7 | University of Florida | $37,427 | $17.99 |
| 8 | Commonwealth Of Pennsylvania | $37,165 | $17.87 |
| 9 | City of Las Cruces Government | $36,864 | $17.72 |
| 10 | Wyoming | $35,082 | $16.87 |
| 11 | City of Greeley | $34,993 | $16.82 |
| 12 | Florida Department of Transportation | $31,787 | $15.28 |
| 13 | Arkansas State University, Mountain Home | $24,353 | $11.71 |
Wage gap by gender, race and education
Museum curator salary trends
The average museum curator salary has risen by $6,367 over the last ten years. In 2014, the average museum curator earned $37,942 annually, but today, they earn $44,309 a year. That works out to a 7% change in pay for museum curators over the last decade.
Compare museum curator salaries for cities or states with the national average over time.
Average museum curator salary over time
Compare museum curator salaries for individual cities or states with the national average.
Museum curator salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $44,300 | $21.30 | +4.2% |
| 2024 | $42,400 | $20.40 | +1.4% |
| 2023 | $41,800 | $20.10 | +0.0% |
| 2022 | $41,800 | $20.10 | +0.8% |
| 2021 | $41,500 | $19.95 | +3.4% |
Recently added museum curator salaries
| Company | Job | Location | Date added | Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Zuckerberg San Francisco General | Curator II-Museum-SFO (3542) | San Francisco, CA | 06/29/2025 | $93,782 |
| Placer County, Ca | Museum Curator-I (Curator of Education | Auburn, CA | 06/20/2025 | $54,080 |
| Town of Windsor Ct | The Connecticut Valley Tobacco Museum-Curator | Noank, CT | 06/12/2025 | $52,175 |
| State of Maine | Museum Specialist II-Curator of Historical Collections | Augusta, ME | 04/06/2025 | $49,275 |
| Arizona Department of Administration | Museum Curator 2 | Tucson, AZ | 03/28/2025 | $39,653 |
| State of Arizona | Museum Curator 2 | Tucson, AZ | 03/27/2025 | $39,653 |
| Elk Grove Park District | Museum Curator-Exempt | Elk Grove Village, IL | 03/11/2025 | $48,446 |
| Smithsonian Institution | Museum Curator (ART) | Washington, DC | 02/27/2025 | $84,601 |
| Glenview Public Library | Glenview History Center Museum Curator | Glenview, IL | 02/23/2025 | $53,676 |
| State of Maine | Museum Specialist III-Curator of Archival Collections-Agency Only | Augusta, ME | 02/21/2025 | $60,091 |
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