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Associate Curator Jobs (NOW HIRING)

VAWAA

Design Curator / Partnerships Associate

$50K - $65K/yr

Role overview The Design Curator & Partnerships Associate will work closely with our Founder and team and play a pivotal role in curating and growing our roster of extraordinary artists from around ...

Woodruff Arts Center

$50K/yr

Senior Curator, Modern & Contemporary Art FLSA: United States of America (Exempt) Employment Status : Regular/Full time ABOUT THE HIGH The High brings art, ideas, and people together to amplify the ...

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How much do associate curator jobs pay per hour?

As of Jun 23, 2026, the average hourly pay for associate curator in the United States is $28.71, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $26.20 and $31.49 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are some typical challenges faced by an Associate Curator when developing new exhibitions?

Associate Curators often navigate challenges such as balancing scholarly research with audience engagement, managing tight deadlines, and coordinating with multiple departments like education, marketing, and installation teams. They must ensure that the exhibition aligns with the institution's mission and collection strengths while also appealing to a diverse audience. Additionally, Associate Curators regularly collaborate with artists, lenders, and conservators, which requires strong communication and organizational skills.

What is the difference between Associate Curator vs Collections Manager?

AspectAssociate CuratorCollections Manager
Required CredentialsBachelor's degree in art, history, or related field; experience in curationBachelor's degree; experience in collections management, preservation, or related field
Work EnvironmentMuseums, galleries, cultural institutionsMuseums, archives, cultural institutions
Employer & Industry UsageUsed in museums and galleries for curatorial rolesUsed in museums and cultural institutions for managing collections
Common Search & ComparisonOften compared for roles involving curation and collection oversightCompared with curatorial roles for collection management responsibilities

The Associate Curator primarily focuses on developing exhibitions, researching collections, and assisting with curation. The Collections Manager handles the preservation, cataloging, and physical management of collections. While both roles work closely within museums, the Associate Curator emphasizes research and exhibition planning, whereas the Collections Manager concentrates on collection care and logistics.

What are Associate Curators?

Associate Curators are museum or gallery professionals responsible for assisting in the development, organization, and management of collections and exhibitions. They work closely with senior curators to research, acquire, and interpret objects or artworks, and may also help design and implement educational programs. Their role often involves cataloging items, preparing materials for display, and collaborating with other departments to enhance the visitor experience. Associate Curators are typically early- to mid-career professionals who contribute to both the scholarly and practical aspects of a museum or gallery’s mission.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an Associate Curator, and why are they important?

To thrive as an Associate Curator, you need a solid background in art history or a related field, often supported by a master's degree and prior museum experience. Familiarity with collection management systems, exhibition planning software, and research databases is typically required. Strong organizational, communication, and collaboration skills help you coordinate exhibitions and engage diverse audiences. These competencies ensure effective stewardship of collections, successful programming, and enhanced visitor experiences.
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Associate Curator jobs near you
Infographic showing various Associate Curator job openings in the United States as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 65% Full Time, 33% Part Time, and 1% Contract. Highlights an 96% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 3% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $59,714 per year, or $28.7 per hour.
Associate Curator of Mammals

Associate Curator of Mammals

Detroit Zoological Society

Royal Oak, MI

Full-time

Posted 25 days ago

Job description

General Description
The Associate Curator of Mammals, Primates and Large Carnivores, assists in the development, maintenance and oversight of animal care and welfare practices for the Mammal Department including daily oversight of staff and facility operations, repair, and maintenance.
The Associate Curator of Mammals will support, both publicly and privately, the principles of the Detroit Zoological Society, maintain a professional manner when dealing with all constituencies, and always preserve a high level of confidentiality.
This job description is by no means all-inclusive and may be subject to change during a performance period due to the needs of the Detroit Zoological Society and its leadership. This document will be reviewed on a continual basis and will be modified as needed.
Principal Duties and Responsibilities
  • Provide oversight of all Mammal Department operations, including animal care and welfare, staff training, habitat maintenance, research, guest interaction activities, special events and other projects as needed.
  • Coordinate with other Life Science Departments for supervisory coverage as needed.
  • Create staff schedules to ensure optimum care of animals and exceptional conditions for guests.
  • Supervise subordinate Mammal Department staff including goal setting, team building, adherence to protocols, and evaluations.
  • Assist in coordinating and executing animal transactions including paperwork, permits, and transports.
  • Participate in recruitment and selection of Mammal Department staff.
  • Ensure scheduled maintenance of equipment and facilities.
  • Submit work orders for the repair of equipment and facilities.
  • Coordinate animal health and other medical procedures with veterinary staff.
  • Assist in preparation and monitoring of budgets as required.
  • Maintain records and provide written and verbal reports as required.
  • Conduct emergency response drills to ensure emergency preparedness.
  • Conduct and/or coordinate research projects.
  • Assist in executing the Living Animal Plan by researching and identifying new mammal species that will meet strategic goals toward increasing our animal population while contributing to AZA conservation programs and creating engaging guest experiences.
  • Contribute to strategic and other institutional planning processes.
  • Contribute to planning for major/minor capital improvement projects for the Mammal Department.
  • Ensure mammal areas exceed AZA accreditation standards and USDA animal welfare standards.
  • Participate in cooperative management programs, such as studbooks, Population Management Plans, Species Survival Plans and Taxon Advisory Groups.
  • Develop and conduct presentations at professional meetings.
  • Conduct educational presentations in both formal and informal settings.
  • Perform other duties as required.

Qualifications
Education and Experience
  • Bachelor’s degree in zoology or a closely related discipline.
  • Four years of experience in the care of captive wildlife.
  • Three years of supervisory experience.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
  • Must have strong decision-making and problem-solving skills, excellent verbal and written communication skills, team building, and effective time management skills.
Preferred
  • Advanced academic achievement.
  • Experience in a curatorial, education or research capacity.

Working Conditions
Work is performed indoors and outdoors with exposure to all seasonal weather conditions, with frequent exposure to and contact with dangerous animals, with risk of zoonotic disease transmission (Hepatitis B, Herpes B, Tuberculosis, Salmonella and others), and with exposure to computer monitors. Weekend and evening work will be required as necessary.
Physical Requirements
The ability to perform principal duties is required. The Associate Curator of Mammals must be able to lift and move objects weighing up to 50 pounds. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the job.
Just as we value and celebrate biodiversity, the DZS celebrates the diversity of our human community. We are committed to ensuring that our programs and facilities are fully accessible to create a welcoming and inclusive workplace for all.

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