As of April 01, 2025, the average annual salary for a Museum Collections Curator in the United States is $61,100. According to Salary.com, salaries can range from a low of $47,727 to a high of $82,497, with most professionals earning between $54,100 and $72,300.
| Annual Salary |
Monthly Pay |
Weekly Pay |
Hourly Wage |
|
| 75th Percentile | $72,300 | $6,025 | $1,390 | $35 |
| Average | $61,100 | $5,092 | $1,175 | $29 |
| 25th Percentile | $54,100 | $4,508 | $1,040 | $26 |
An entry-level Museum Collections Curator with less than 1 year of experience earns about $58,488. With 1-2 years of experience, the average salary increases to $58,801. For 2-4 years of experience, the pay typically rises to $59,846. Senior-level professionals with 5-8 years of experience earn around $63,942, and those with over 8 years of experience can expect an average of $65,279.
| Levels | Salary |
|---|---|
| Entry Level Museum Collections Curator | $58,488 |
| Intermediate Level Museum Collections Curator | $58,801 |
| Senior Level Museum Collections Curator | $59,846 |
| Specialist Level Museum Collections Curator | $63,942 |
| Expert Level Museum Collections Curator | $65,279 |
| Entry Level | 4% |
| Mid Level | 4% |
| Senior Level | 2% |
| Top Level | 5% |
| Experienced | 7% |
Salaries in the United States differ widely between states due to factors like cost of living, local economies, and industry presence.
What Am I Worth?
Salaries in the United States can vary greatly between cities due to factors like cost of living, local economies, and industry presence.
As of April 01, 2025, our research reveals a significant shift in Museum Collections Curator compensation over the past six years. For example, the median salary increased from $70,791 in 2023 to approximately $70,374 in 2024. (For a detailed analysis of Museum Collections Curator salary trends, click here.)
Key factors like location, experience, industry demand, and economic growth significantly influence salary variations, making them important to consider.
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Here are companies hiring for Museum Collections Curator and their salaries, click below for more details.
| Core Compensation | ||||
| Core Compensation | Median | % of Total | ||
| Base Salary | $61,100 | 70.7% | ||
| Bonus | $0 | 0.0% | ||
| Value of Benefits | ||||
| Core Compensation | Median | % of Total | ||
| Social Security | $4,674 | 5.4% | ||
| 401K/403B | $2,994 | 3.5% | ||
| Disability | $978 | 1.1% | ||
| Healthcare | $6,371 | 7.4% | ||
| Pension | $2,566 | 3.0% | ||
| Time Off | $7,755 | 9.0% | ||
| Total Compensation | $86,438 | 100% | ||
| Degree Level | % of user with this level of education |
|---|---|
| High School | 0.6% |
| Associates | 0.6% |
| Bachelors | 25.3% |
| Masters | 53.8% |
| Doctorate | 19.6% |
What Am I Worth?
While nearly all museum curators hold a master's degree, many national museums and certain institutions require a PhD. The salary for a Museum Collections Curator typically ranges from $57,000 to $80,200, with a median salary of around $66,800, reflecting the level of education and experience in the field.
To become a museum collections manager, a graduate degree in Museum Studies or a related field is typically required, along with valuable hands-on experience. Many start their careers through internships and project-based contracts. Salaries for this role range from $57,000 to $80,200, with a median salary of $66,800.
A collections curator is responsible for the care, management, and interpretation of collections in museums and cultural institutions. Their role includes research, preservation, exhibition planning, and educational outreach. Salaries for this position typically range from $57,000 to $80,200, with a median salary of around $66,800.
Museum curators are indeed in high demand, with overall employment projected to grow 11% from 2023 to 2033, significantly faster than the average for all occupations. Annually, around 4,700 openings for these roles are expected. Salaries for museum collections curators range from $57,000 to $80,200, with a median salary of $66,800.
The best job in a museum can vary based on personal interests, but a Museum Collections Curator is highly regarded. They typically earn between $57,000 and $80,200, with a median salary of $66,800. This role involves managing collections, ensuring preservation, and engaging with the public, making it both rewarding and impactful in the museum field.
Museum curators can earn significantly more than the average salary range of $57,000 to $80,200. Notable high-paying cities include Los Angeles, CA, with salaries around $103,110, and New York, NY, where curators earn approximately $79,756. Other cities like Denver, CO, and Asheville, NC, also offer competitive salaries, making them attractive locations for curators.
Salary.com provides salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons using data from employer job postings and third-party sources.
We offer detailed salary information across multiple percentiles for your reference. (Click here to learn Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial for Achieving Pay Equity.)
With the most extensive online, real-time compensation data available, Salary.com helps you pinpoint your exact pay target.
