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Associate Curator Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Alphabe Insight Inc

Communications Associate

Santa Ana, CA · On-site

$65K - $70K/yr

Company Description About Us At Story Lane Box , we are passionate about curating and delivering ... We are seeking a detail-oriented and articulate Communications Associate to join our dynamic team.

RH

Visual Merchandising Associate

San Francisco, CA

We are moving the brand beyond curating and selling products to conceptualizing and selling spaces ... RH is seeking a Curating Associate with a passion for design and home furnishings. This role is ...

RH

Visual Merchandising Associate

San Francisco, CA · On-site

$29 - $33/hr

We are moving the brand beyond curating and selling products to conceptualizing and selling spaces ... RH is seeking a Curating Associate with a passion for design and home furnishings. This role is ...

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All JobsAssociate Curator JobsAssociate Curator Jobs in California

Associate Curator information

See California salary details

$17

$28

$34

How much do associate curator jobs pay per hour?

As of Jul 26, 2026, the average hourly pay for associate curator in California is $28.33, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $25.87 and $31.06 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

Is an associate curator higher than an assistant curator?

Yes, an associate curator is generally a higher position than an assistant curator. The associate curator typically has more experience, responsibilities, and may oversee projects or staff, while the assistant curator supports the curatorial team and performs more entry-level tasks.

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.

How much do associate curators make?

Associate curators typically earn between $40,000 and $60,000 annually, depending on experience, location, and the institution. Entry-level positions may start lower, while those with specialized skills or advanced degrees can earn higher salaries.

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.

How much do assistant curators get paid?

Assistant curators typically earn between $30,000 and $50,000 annually, depending on experience, location, and the institution. Entry-level positions may start lower, while those with specialized skills or advanced degrees can earn higher salaries.

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 is an associate curator?

An associate curator is a professional responsible for assisting in the management, research, and exhibition of collections in museums or galleries. They often support senior curators, conduct research, and help with educational programs, typically requiring knowledge of art, history, or science and relevant organizational skills.

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.
What are the most commonly searched types of Curator jobs in California? The most popular types of Curator jobs in California are:
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What job categories do people searching Associate Curator jobs in California look for? The top searched job categories for Associate Curator jobs in California are:
What cities in California are hiring for Associate Curator jobs? Cities in California with the most Associate Curator job openings:
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Associate Curator jobs near you
Infographic showing various Associate Curator job openings in California as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 55% Full Time, and 45% Part Time. Highlights an 95% In-person, and 5% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $58,932 per year, or $28.3 per hour.

Associate Curator of Prints and Drawings

J. Paul Getty Trust, The

Los Angeles, CA

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement, PTO

Posted 10 days ago

Job description

Getty is committed to creating a welcoming workplace that reflects the various backgrounds of the communities we serve. We value differences in the pursuit of inquiry and knowledge, mutual understanding, respect, trust, transparency, and cooperation. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, ancestry, citizenship or immigration status, color, disability, ethnicity, familial status, gender identity and/or expression, genetic information, marital status, national origin, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, veteran status, or any other protected status.Job Summary

The Getty Research Institute seeks to appoint an Associate Curator to develop, administer, and present its collection of prints and drawings, which span the Renaissance to the contemporary era. The ideal candidate will be a specialist in Early Modern art history, and possess the capability and willingness to work across the breadth of the collection and with diverse graphic media. Under minimal supervision, develops, administers, and presents the GRI's special collections of prints and drawings by acquisitions and donations, maintaining and managing them in collaboration with colleagues.

The Associate Curator of Prints and Drawings continually expands knowledge of collections, particularly by demonstrating expertise in diverse graphic media, building on areas of collection strength and filling in lacunae to establish new research opportunities and initiatives. The Associate Curator will develop a reputation as a major contributor to the field by proposing innovative exhibitions and programming, spearheading impactful publications, and representing the GRI through public presentations and lectures.

This position is not eligible for employer-based immigration sponsorship. Applicants must have authorization to work for Getty in the United States without the need for sponsorship, currently or in the future.

Major Job Responsibilities
  • Applies advanced knowledge of art history and art education to complex curatorial assignments
  • Performs complex scholarly research to support the institutional mission
  • Organizes significant exhibitions, major publications, or major acquisitions
  • Cultivates connections nationally and internationally with scholars and museum colleagues
  • Actively participates in acquisitions and collection development
  • Publishes and lectures in area of specialization
  • Assesses conservation needs of the collections; participates in digitization; assesses loan requests
  • Collaborates in and may lead research projects; shares collections and/or serves as a resource to scholars, visitors and staff
Qualifications
  • Master's degree or PhD in art history, or a related discipline OR 4-7 years of curatorial experience
  • Fluency in at least one foreign language (related to field of specialization) required
  • Skilled in all curatorial functions
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
  • Demonstrated ability to build long-term relationships, collaborate and direct teams across disciplines
  • Competent with collection management and digital asset management tools
  • Accomplished in art historical research and writing
  • Ability to communicate and distill information for a specialized audience or the general public
  • Ability to adapt written material for a variety of audiences online or in print
Benefits and Perks

Here are just some examples that Getty offers/provides for full-time employees:

  • Medical, Dental and Vision insurance coverage, starting on date of hire. Getty pays 75%-95% of the premium, depending on the plan selected.
  • 403(b) Employee Investment retirement plan - with up to 5% Getty Match
  • Getty contribution of 6%, on behalf of employee, to 401(a) retirement account
  • Educational Assistance and professional development
  • Paid Vacation, Sick and Personal Days
  • 12 Paid Holidays
  • Many positions have bi-weekly Off-Fridays
  • On-Site Fitness Center at Getty Center
  • Community service opportunities

To learn more about our comprehensive benefits and long list of perks, go to Getty HR.  

Employment Type: FULL_TIME

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