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Curator Museum Salary Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Museum Curator

Mesa, AZ · On-site

$75K - $102K/yr

Salary: $75,033.30 - $102,518.83 Annually Location : PO Box 1466, Mesa, AZ Job Type: Full Time Job ... The Museum Curator develops, interprets, evaluates, communicates, and curates the collections of ...

POSITION SUMMARY The Museum Curator and Caretaker is responsible for preserving, interpreting, and ... Additional Base Compensation: $80,000 - $95,000 The base salary range may vary depending on ...

POSITION SUMMARY The Museum Curator and Caretakeris responsible forpreserving, interpreting ... Additional Base Compensation: $80,000 - $95,000 The base salary range may vary depending on ...

Curator Archivist

Norman, OK · On-site

$18.99/hr

Targeted salary $18.99 per hour, based on experience Benefits Eligible: Yes Work Schedule: Monday ... Ensure proper permits and documentation for field collection and loan and exchange of museum ...

$100K/yr

The High Museum of Art seeks an innovative and experienced curator with expertise in contemporary ... Salary: $100,000 Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 9am - 5pm What you will do: Exhibitions * Plan and ...

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Curator Museum Salary information

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$28K

$76.3K

$135.5K

How much do curator museum salary jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 26, 2026, the average yearly pay for curator museum salary in the United States is $76,262.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $59,500.00 and $84,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is the difference between Curator Museum Salary vs Archivist Salary?

AspectCurator Museum SalaryArchivist Salary
Required CredentialsBachelor's or Master's in Museum Studies, Art History, or related fieldBachelor's or Master's in Archival Science, History, or related field
Work EnvironmentMuseums, galleries, cultural institutionsArchives, libraries, historical repositories
Employer & Industry UsagePrimarily cultural, educational, and historical sectorsHistorical, governmental, and research institutions

While both roles require similar educational backgrounds and work in cultural or historical settings, curators typically focus on managing museum collections and exhibitions, often with a higher salary range. Archivists concentrate on preserving and organizing historical records, usually with slightly lower salaries. Understanding these differences can help job seekers align their skills and career goals accordingly.

Do I need a PhD to be a museum curator?

A PhD is not strictly required to become a museum curator, but many positions prefer candidates with advanced degrees in fields like history, art, or archaeology. Relevant experience, strong research skills, and knowledge of collections are also important for the role.

Do museum curators make good money?

Museum curators typically earn a median salary that varies by location and experience, with many earning between $40,000 and $70,000 annually. Salaries can increase with advanced degrees, specialized knowledge, and years of experience, especially in larger or more prominent institutions.

Is a museum curator a hard job to get?

Becoming a museum curator can be competitive, as it often requires a relevant advanced degree such as a master's or doctorate in a related field, along with experience in museum work or research. Strong skills in project management, research, and communication are also important, and job openings may be limited depending on the size and funding of the institution.
More about Curator Museum Salary jobs

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Cities with the most Curator Museum Salary job openings:

What states have the most Curator Museum Salary jobs?

States with the most job openings for Curator Museum Salary jobs include:

What job categories do people searching Curator Museum Salary jobs look for?

The top searched job categories for Curator Museum Salary jobs are:

Infographic showing various Curator Museum Salary job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 90% Full Time, 8% Part Time, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 83% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 14% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $76,262 per year, or $36.7 per hour.

$75K - $102K/yr

Full-time

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Job description

Salary: $75,033.30 - $102,518.83 Annually
Location : PO Box 1466, Mesa, AZ
Job Type: Full Time
Job Number: 17463
Department: (H400)Arts and Culture
Opening Date: 06/26/2026
Closing Date: Continuous
Description/Duties
The current vacancy is in the Arizona Museum of Natural History; however, this recruitment will also be used to establish an eligible list for possible future vacancies in other assignment areas.
The first review of
all applications will be on Monday, July 6, 2026.
The Museum Curator develops, interprets, evaluates, communicates, and curates the collections of the Arizona Museum for Natural History for the fields of natural and social sciences. Responsibilities include: developing and implementing procedures of a general curatorial nature relating to the fields of Social Sciences (history, ethnology, archaeology, anthropology) or Natural Sciences (paleontology, geology, biology); conducting original and secondary research; ensuring compliance with federal, state, and local laws in the acquisition and collection of objects; writing policies, plans, grant proposals, reports, etc., regarding museum collections, general curatorial information, or a designated subject area; and providing curatorial expertise on certain changing and permanent exhibits. The Museum Curator also supervises full-time, part-time, contractual, and volunteer personnel. This class is also responsible for performing related duties as required.
Anthropology Assignment: Conducts primary and/or secondary research in anthropology or related disciplines; oversee the disciplines of ethnology, and archaeology; coordinates the permanent gallery rotations, changes and updates exhibits, public engagement, and educational programming.
General supervision is received from the Chief Curator, who reviews work through conferences, meetings, reports, and overall results achieved. This class is FLSA exempt professional.
Please refer to the link below for the full job description and additional information regarding assignments, preferred qualifications, and essential functions.
Qualifications & Requirements
Employee Values: All employees of the City of Mesa are expected to uphold and exhibit the City's shared employee values of Knowledge, Respect, and Integrity.
Minimum Qualifications Required. Any combination of training, education, or experience equivalent to graduation from an accredited college or university with a Bachelor's Degree in a Social Science, Natural Science, or related field such as Museum Studies, Anthropology, Biology, Geology, Paleontology, or a closely related area. Considerable (3 - 5 years) collections experience in museums, cultural centers, institutes, academics, or equivalent.
Preferred/Desirable Qualifications. A Master's Degree or Ph.D. in Social Science, Natural Science, or related field such as: Museum Studies, Anthropology, Biology, Geology, Paleontology, or a closely related area and experience in responsible positions in a museum is preferred. Experience in Triassic paleobiology field collection and publication desirable. Experience in application and administration of grants, permits, and federal and state repositories. Experience in large museum projects.
Link to Job Description
A is linked here.
01
Did you graduate from an accredited college or university with a Bachelor's Degree in a Social Science, Natural Science, or related field such as Museum Studies, Anthropology, Biology, Geology, Paleontology, or a closely related area? **To receive education credit, you MUST fully detail your degree(s) and major(s) on your application. Information provided only on a resume will NOT be considered.**
  • Yes
  • No

02
Do you have a Master's Degree in a field of the Social Science, Natural Science, or related field such as: Museum Studies, Anthropology, Biology, Geology, Paleontology, or a closely related area? **To receive education credit, you MUST fully detail your degree(s) and major(s) on your application. Information provided only on a resume will NOT be considered.**
  • Yes
  • No

03
Do you have a Ph.D. in a field of the Social Science, Natural Science, or related field such as Museum Studies, Anthropology, Biology, Geology, Paleontology, or a closely related area? **To receive education credit, you MUST fully detail your degree(s) and major(s) on your application. Information provided only on a resume will NOT be considered.**
  • Yes
  • No

04
How many years of collections experience do you have in museums, cultural centers, institutes, academics, or equivalent? Please detail your experience on your application.
  • None
  • Some but less than 3 years
  • 3 years or more but less than 5 years
  • 5 years or more but less than 7 years
  • 7 years or more

05
Please describe your collections experience in museums, cultural centers, institutes, academics, or equivalent below; include employment dates and names of employer(s). If none, type N/A. **To receive credit, you MUST fully detail this experience on your application. Incomplete applications or responses such as "see resume" will not be considered. Resumes will not be accepted in lieu of a completed, detailed application.**
06
Do you have experience in Triassic paleobiology field collection and publication? Please detail your experience on your application.
  • Yes
  • No

07
Please describe your experience in Triassic paleobiology field collection and publication, including employer(s). Please detail this experience on your application. If none, type N/A.
08
Do you have experience in the application and administration of grants, permits, and federal and state repositories? Please detail your experience on your application.
  • Yes
  • No

09
Please describe your experience in the application and administration of grants, permits, and federal and state repositories, including employer(s). Please also detail this experience on your application. If none, type N/A.
10
Do you have experience with large museum projects? Please detail your experience on your application.
  • Yes
  • No

11
Please describe your experience with large museum projects, including employer(s). Please also detail this experience on your application. If none, type N/A.
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