Curator Salary in 2026
How Much Do Curators Make?
Curators earn a median annual salary of $61,770 as of 2026, based on BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) data. Wages span from $37,110 at the 10th percentile to $105,520 at the 90th percentile — a range of $68,410. The highest-paying state is District of Columbia at $81,990.
| Percentile | Annual salary |
|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $37,110 |
| 25th percentile | $47,270 |
| Median (50th) | $61,770 |
| 75th percentile | $81,350 |
| 90th percentile | $105,520 |
Curator Salary by State
Median annual salary across all 50 states. Click a column to sort.
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| District of Columbiatop | $81,990 |
| New York | $78,760 |
| California | $78,710 |
| Massachusetts | $75,980 |
| Rhode Island | $74,690 |
| Connecticut | $73,350 |
| Colorado | $70,100 |
| Nevada | $67,310 |
| Washington | $66,160 |
| New Jersey | $65,930 |
| Alaska | $65,150 |
| Michigan | $64,030 |
| Arizona | $63,900 |
| South Dakota | $63,810 |
| Pennsylvania | $63,600 |
| Hawaii | $62,400 |
| Kansas | $61,770 |
| Wisconsin | $61,560 |
| Maryland | $61,350 |
| Minnesota | $61,270 |
| Illinois | $60,850 |
| New Mexico | $60,650 |
| Virginia | $60,020 |
| Idaho | $59,640 |
| Texas | $59,030 |
| Ohio | $58,890 |
| Alabama | $58,390 |
| Missouri | $57,790 |
| South Carolina | $57,750 |
| Louisiana | $55,680 |
| Florida | $55,560 |
| Tennessee | $55,490 |
| Vermont | $55,340 |
| Oregon | $55,290 |
| Arkansas | $55,040 |
| Indiana | $53,850 |
| New Hampshire | $53,160 |
| Nebraska | $52,870 |
| Iowa | $52,230 |
| Wyoming | $51,040 |
| Delaware | $50,980 |
| Kentucky | $50,940 |
| Georgia | $50,900 |
| West Virginia | $50,810 |
| Maine | $50,690 |
| North Carolina | $50,220 |
| Utah | $50,040 |
| Montana | $48,700 |
| Oklahoma | $48,470 |
Highest-Paying Metros for Curators
Curator Salary by Experience
Estimated salary ranges derived from BLS wage percentiles. Entry level corresponds to P10–P25, mid-career to the median, experienced to P75, and senior to P90+.
| Experience level | Estimated salary |
|---|---|
| Entry level (0–2 yrs) | ~$37,110 – $47,270 |
| Mid career (3–7 yrs) | ~$61,770 |
| Experienced (8–15 yrs) | ~$81,350 |
| Senior (15+ yrs) | $105,520+ |
How to Earn More as a Curator
Location is the single biggest salary lever: Curators in San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA earn $90,290 — $28,520 above the national median. An advanced credential — such as a graduate degree or specialized certification — is consistently associated with higher earnings in this field. Reaching the 75th percentile ($81,350) typically requires 5–10 years of experience plus specialization in a high-demand area.
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Curator Salary vs Similar Careers
| Career | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Curatorthis career | $61,770 |
| Anthropologists and Archeologist | $64,910 |
| Historian | $74,050 |
| Social Science Research Assistant | $58,040 |
| Architecture Teacher | $101,480 |
Find out where you stand — free in 2 minutes
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SOC: 25-4012.00 · Data: BLS OEWS 2026, O*NET 29.1 · Salary figures are national medians unless otherwise noted.