How much does a curator make?
The median curator in the United States earns $63,420 per year, about $30.49 an hour. That is the midpoint of the profession: half of all curators earn more, and half earn less.
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025. SOC code 25-4012.
Curator salary range
Pay for curators spans a wide band. The lowest paid 10 percent earn under $40,470 a year, while the highest paid 10 percent take home more than $107,140. The average (mean) wage of $71,560 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $40,470 | $19.46 | Lowest paid |
| 25th percentile | $48,870 | $23.49 | |
| Median (50th) | $63,420 | $30.49 | Midpoint |
| 75th percentile | $83,080 | $39.94 | |
| 90th percentile | $107,140 | $51.51 | Highest paid |
Figures are national wage estimates for curators (SOC 25-4012), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS, May 2025.
Curator salary by state
Where you work changes the paycheck. Curators earn the most in District of Columbia at $93,310 a year, and the least in Mississippi at $40,600. The table below lists every state with published data, ranked by median annual salary.
| State | Median annual | Employed |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| Colorado | $73,630 | 300 |
| Nevada | $69,900 | 100 |
| Wisconsin | $64,370 | 300 |
| Alaska | $63,880 | 90 |
| Maryland | $63,750 | 170 |
| New Mexico | $63,690 | 140 |
| Ohio | $63,640 | 370 |
| Arizona | $63,510 | 150 |
| Michigan | $63,190 | 360 |
| Illinois | $63,060 | 410 |
| Oregon | $62,790 | 260 |
| Idaho | $62,190 | 50 |
| Pennsylvania | $62,100 | 520 |
| Wyoming | $61,910 | 90 |
| Alabama | $61,120 | 150 |
| Oklahoma | $60,560 | 150 |
| Louisiana | $60,080 | 160 |
| Texas | $59,990 | 690 |
| Missouri | $59,960 | 260 |
| Utah | $59,910 | 50 |
| Florida | $59,500 | 420 |
| Nebraska | $58,600 | 120 |
| Virginia | $58,200 | 450 |
| Georgia | $57,810 | 230 |
| Tennessee | $57,580 | 190 |
| Delaware | $56,800 | 60 |
| Kansas | $56,630 | 120 |
| Vermont | $56,520 | 60 |
| Maine | $56,470 | 110 |
| Kentucky | $55,460 | 130 |
| Montana | $54,460 | 100 |
| Minnesota | $53,920 | 220 |
| Indiana | $53,910 | 220 |
| Arkansas | $53,870 | 80 |
| Iowa | $53,830 | 230 |
| Hawaii | $50,720 | 140 |
| North Carolina | $49,470 | 600 |
| South Carolina | $47,200 | 120 |
| Mississippi | $40,600 | 30 |
State median wages for curators (SOC 25-4012), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS state files, May 2025. States where the BLS does not publish a median are not shown.
Job outlook for curators
The BLS projects employment of curators to grow 4.9% from 2025 to 2035. That is about as fast as the 3.5% average for all occupations. That works out to roughly 14,200 jobs in 2025 moving toward 14,900 by 2035.
Across the decade, the BLS expects about 1,600 openings a year for curators. Most come from the need to replace workers who move to other jobs or leave the workforce, on top of any new positions from growth.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program, 2025-35 (Table 1.2, Occupational projections and worker characteristics).
How to become a curator
The typical entry-level education for curators is a master's degree, according to the BLS.
Education, training, and experience data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program.
What affects how much a curator earns
District budget, level taught, degree, and region drive pay, along with years of service on a step-and-lane salary schedule. High cost metros and senior educators land near the top.
Location is one of the clearest factors. The gap between the top paying state (District of Columbia, $93,310) and the lowest (Mississippi, $40,600) shows how much geography alone can move the number, before experience or specialization.
About 12,150 people work as curators in the United States. At $63,420 a year, the job pays above the $50,980 median for all U.S. jobs.
Curator salary FAQ
How much does a curator make an hour?
The median hourly wage for a curator is $30.49. The middle half of curators earn between $23.49 and $39.94 per hour.
What is the highest curator salary?
The highest paid 10 percent of curators earn more than $107,140 per year. Top earners usually have the most experience and work in the best paying regions and industries.
How much does a curator make a year?
The median annual salary for a curator is $63,420. The average (mean) wage of $71,560 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
Is being a curator a well paid job?
At $63,420 a year, a curator earns above the $50,980 median for all U.S. jobs. About 12,150 people work as curators in the United States.
Which state pays curators the most?
District of Columbia has the highest median salary for curators at $93,310 a year. New Hampshire ($82,490) and New York ($79,120) follow. State medians come from the BLS OEWS state files, May 2025.
Is being a curator a good career?
Employment of curators is projected to grow 4.9% from 2025 to 2035, about as fast as the 3.5% average for all occupations. The BLS projects about 1,600 openings each year, from growth and from workers leaving the occupation.
Do you need a degree to become a curator?
The BLS lists the typical entry-level education for curators as a master's degree, so a college degree is usually expected.
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