Curators Salary in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA
Curators in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA make a median of $94,110 a year, or about $45.25 an hour. The range runs from $45K at the entry level to $130K for experienced workers. Prices run high here (RPP 110.42), so that salary is closer to $85,229 in real purchasing power. A 2-bedroom apartment runs $3,483/month — about 58.9% of take-home, which is tight.
AffordMap analysis of BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (latest release, May 2024)
So what does $94K get you in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara?
About curators
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA
Entry-level curators (10th percentile) start around $45K. Mid-career wages sit at $94K.Top earners bring in $130K or more - a $86K 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 San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
How much do curators make in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA?
The median is $94,110 a year - that works out to about $45.25 an hour. The range is wide: entry-level workers start around $44,550, and experienced curators can clear $130,370. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $94K enough to live in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $5,809/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $3,483/month (HUD Fair Market Rent), which eats 60% 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 San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara?
San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara has a Regional Price Parity of 110.42 (100 is the national average). Prices are above average here, so your dollar buys less than the same salary would in a cheaper metro. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median curators salary is worth about $85,229 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.