Curators Salary in U.S. (2024)
Curators in U.S. make a median of $61,770 a year, or about $29.7 an hour. The range runs from $37K at the entry level to $106K for experienced workers.
Updated
AffordMap analysis of BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2024
So what does $62K get you in U.S.?
About curators
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, U.S.
Entry-level curators (10th percentile) start around $37K. Mid-career wages sit at $62K.Top earners bring in $106K or more - a $68K 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 U.S. numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
How much do curators make in U.S.?
The median is $61,770 a year - that works out to about $29.7 an hour. The range is wide: entry-level workers start around $37,110, and experienced curators can clear $105,520. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $62K enough to live in U.S.?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $4,306/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,412/month, which eats 32.8% 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 U.S.?
U.S. 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 $61,770 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.