Curators Salary in District of Columbia
Curators in District of Columbia make a median of $81,990 a year, or about $39.42 an hour. The range runs from $60K at the entry level to $155K for experienced workers.
AffordMap analysis of BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (latest release, May 2024)
So what does $82K get you in District of Columbia?
About curators
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, District of Columbia
Entry-level curators (10th percentile) start around $60K. Mid-career wages sit at $82K.Top earners bring in $155K or more - a $95K spread from bottom to top.
Curators pay across states
Median income ranked highest to lowest, compared to the national figure
| State | Median salary | vs. national | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $82K | +33% | 140 |
| New York | $79K | +28% | 1,270 |
| California | $79K | +27% | 1,180 |
| Massachusetts | $76K | +23% | 440 |
| Rhode Island | $75K | +21% | 80 |
| Connecticut | $73K | +19% | 200 |
| Nevada | $67K | +9% | 130 |
| Washington | $66K | +7% | 260 |
| New Jersey | $66K | +7% | 140 |
| Alaska | $65K | +5% | 80 |
| Michigan | $64K | +4% | 360 |
| Arizona | $64K | +3% | 100 |
| South Dakota | $64K | +3% | 50 |
| Pennsylvania | $64K | +3% | 590 |
| Hawaii | $62K | +1% | 80 |
Track curators salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when District of Columbia numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
How much do curators make in District of Columbia?
The median is $81,990 a year - that works out to about $39.42 an hour. The range is wide: entry-level workers start around $60,180, and experienced curators can clear $154,860. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $82K enough to live in District of Columbia?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $5,162/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom in this state rents for about $2,246/month (median of metro areas), which eats 43.5% of your paycheck. That's above the 30% rule of thumb - housing will be a stretch at the median salary, though you can manage with roommates or a smaller place.
How far does a curators salary go in District of Columbia?
District of Columbia has a Regional Price Parity of 100 (100 is the national average). That's right at the national average. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median curators salary is worth about $81,990 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do curators get paid the most?
The table above ranks every state by median pay for this role. Keep in mind that the highest-paying states tend to have the highest costs of living, so the top salary doesn't always mean the most money in your pocket.