The average salary for a curator in the United States is $70,870, but the range typically falls between $48,080 and $81,950. This corresponds to an average hourly wage of $34.07, with a range between $23.12 and $39.4.
There are approximately 12,510 people employed as a curator in the United States. With New York, California, Illinois employing the highest number of curators.The state with the best pay for a curator is New York, with an average annual salary of $108,620, while Nebraska has the lowest average annual salary of $49,670.
| Annual Salary | Hourly Wage | |
|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $38,000 | $18.27 |
| 25th Percentile | $48,080 | $23.12 |
| Median | $61,750 | $29.69 |
| 75th Percentile | $81,950 | $39.4 |
| 90th Percentile | $107,860 | $51.86 |
The salary of a curator can vary depending on the state. Below is a map of the United States showing the average annual salary for a curator in each state. The darker the color, the higher the salary. The best states for curators are New York, District of Columbia, California, Rhode Island, Alaska while the worst states are Nebraska, Kentucky, Utah, Iowa, Montana.
| State | Low-end | Average | High-end |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $33,180 | $56,120 | $87,590 |
| Alaska | $59,320 | $78,640 | $118,290 |
| Arizona | $38,550 | $60,830 | $84,600 |
| Arkansas | $39,240 | $62,830 | $95,140 |
| California | $49,480 | $83,940 | $127,980 |
| Colorado | $42,270 | $68,820 | $101,480 |
| Connecticut | $36,040 | $74,900 | $105,980 |
| Delaware | $42,780 | $63,460 | $90,330 |
| District of Columbia | $60,780 | $91,400 | $126,630 |
| Florida | $35,450 | $56,760 | $77,790 |
| Georgia | $33,390 | $59,200 | $104,240 |
| Hawaii | $40,620 | $73,680 | $113,400 |
| Idaho | $18,100 | $52,330 | $89,490 |
| Illinois | $39,110 | $68,160 | $105,230 |
| Indiana | $35,580 | $56,230 | $80,110 |
| Iowa | $31,120 | $50,180 | $75,710 |
| Kansas | $39,010 | $60,750 | $82,180 |
| Kentucky | $30,740 | $50,790 | $76,000 |
| Louisiana | $41,220 | $58,090 | $77,440 |
| Maine | $44,710 | $61,920 | $82,960 |
| Maryland | $45,360 | $72,200 | $99,280 |
| Massachusetts | $36,190 | $76,160 | $126,270 |
| Michigan | $29,940 | $62,220 | $101,850 |
| Minnesota | $36,350 | $67,290 | $98,580 |
| Missouri | $38,520 | $62,600 | $91,100 |
| Montana | $31,520 | $51,730 | $82,830 |
| Nebraska | $25,230 | $49,670 | $82,400 |
| Nevada | $48,020 | $68,710 | $92,520 |
| New Hampshire | $42,890 | $64,610 | $87,180 |
| New Jersey | $32,590 | $66,830 | $109,010 |
| New Mexico | $49,120 | $57,110 | $66,680 |
| New York | $49,510 | $108,620 | $223,500 |
| North Carolina | $41,000 | $57,450 | $87,700 |
| Ohio | $37,230 | $67,460 | $109,870 |
| Oklahoma | $20,990 | $55,790 | $85,050 |
| Oregon | $37,080 | $59,560 | $98,940 |
| Pennsylvania | $41,890 | $66,210 | $99,060 |
| Rhode Island | $62,610 | $78,110 | $98,640 |
| South Carolina | $35,360 | $54,800 | $72,920 |
| South Dakota | $41,300 | $63,010 | $88,650 |
| Tennessee | $42,380 | $58,220 | $86,090 |
| Texas | $29,850 | $58,980 | $88,690 |
| Utah | $28,600 | $48,470 | $71,090 |
| Vermont | $39,290 | $64,160 | $88,340 |
| Virginia | $39,630 | $66,110 | $100,520 |
| Washington | $44,010 | $76,400 | $107,320 |
| Wisconsin | $43,100 | $66,470 | $92,800 |
| Wyoming | $35,630 | $58,100 | $80,350 |
Even between cities, the salary of a curator can vary. For example, the areas with the highest average salary for curators is New York-Newark-Jersey City area, NY with an average salary of $114,690.The city with the lowest average salary for curators is South Nebraska nonmetropolitan area, NE with an average salary of $39,240.
Areas with highest average salaries for curators
Areas with lowest average salaries for curators
The number of curators in the United States has been increasing over the years. Since 2020, the number of curators has increased by 760. On average, the number of curators has been increasing by 1.6% each year. The salary of curators has been increasing. Since 2020, the salary of curators has increased by $9,220. On average, the salary of curators has been increasing by 3.7% each year.
Curators are part of the education, training, and library occupations group. Below is a comparison of the average annual salary for curators compared to other jobs in the same occupation group. View all education, training, and library occupations jobs here.
$70,740 per year
$54,890 per year
$48,580 per year
$52,890 per year
$65,700 per year
$69,020 per year
