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Curator Salaries Jobs (NOW HIRING)

The University of Oklahoma

Curator Archivist

Norman, OK · On-site

$18.99/hr

Curator Archivist Job no: 493385 Work type: Professional hourly Location: Norman Categories: Arts ... Targeted salary $18.99 per hour, based on experience Benefits Eligible: Yes Work Schedule: Monday ...

University of Nebraska-Lincoln

Curator

Lincoln, NE · On-site

$60K/yr

Position Information Position Information Working Title Curator Department International Quilt ... No Criminal History Background Check Required Yes Posted Salary $60,000/yr. minimum How to Apply ...

City of Mesa, AZ

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 ...

Brooklynpubliclibrary

Assistant Curator

Center, TX · Hybrid

$70/hr

As part of the curatorial team for this exhibition, the Assistant Curator will draw from both ... The salary range for this position is $70-80K. This is a hybrid position with a minimum of 3 days ...

Town of Kernersville, NC

Garden Curator

Kernersville, NC · On-site

$75K - $108K/yr

Salary: $75,400.00 - $108,868.00 Annually Location : Kernersville, NC Job Type: Full-Time Job ... The Garden Curator has the overall responsibility for the vision, direction, strategy, planning ...

Glenstone Museum

Curatorial Assistant

Potomac, MD

$49K - $64K/hr

... Curator Salary Range $49,000 - $64,000 per year An Introduction to Glenstone Museum Founded with the mission to seamlessly integrate art, architecture, and nature, Glenstone is a world-class ...

Woodruff Arts Center

$100K/yr

Reports to: Chief Curator FLSA: United States of America (Exempt) Employment Status : Regular ... Salary: $100,000 Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 9am - 5pm What you will do: Exhibitions * Plan and ...

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Curator Salaries information

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$25.5K

$72.6K

$119.5K

How much do curator salaries jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 24, 2026, the average yearly pay for curator salaries in the United States is $72,627.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $50,000.00 and $94,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are curator salaries?

Curator salaries can vary widely depending on the type of institution, location, level of experience, and education. In the United States, the median annual salary for museum curators is around $60,000, but entry-level positions may start closer to $40,000, while experienced curators at prestigious museums can earn upwards of $90,000 or more. Additional factors such as specialized expertise, advanced degrees, and administrative responsibilities can also influence salary levels.

What are some common challenges curators face when managing collections, and how can they overcome them?

Curators often encounter challenges such as limited budgets for acquisitions and conservation, balancing public engagement with scholarly research, and keeping up with digital cataloging systems. To overcome these, curators typically prioritize items based on significance and condition, seek grant funding, and collaborate with colleagues across departments. Building strong relationships with donors and staying current with museum technology trends also help address these challenges and enhance the effectiveness of collection management.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a curator, and why are they important?

To excel as a Curator, you need expertise in art history or a related field, strong research abilities, and typically a master’s degree in museum studies or a similar discipline. Familiarity with collection management systems, digital archiving tools, and relevant certifications like the Certified Interpretive Guide can be highly beneficial. Excellent communication, organizational skills, and creative problem-solving help curators engage audiences and manage diverse collections. These skills ensure effective preservation, interpretation, and presentation of cultural artifacts, which are vital for a museum or gallery's success.

What is the difference between Curator Salaries vs Archivist Salaries?

AspectCurator SalariesArchivist Salaries
Required CredentialsBachelor's degree in art, history, or related field; often a master's for advanced rolesBachelor's degree in library science, history, or related field; often a master's or MLS
Work EnvironmentMuseums, galleries, cultural institutionsArchives, libraries, historical societies
Employer & Industry UsagePrimarily cultural, educational, and nonprofit sectorsGovernment agencies, educational institutions, private organizations

While both curators and archivists work in cultural and historical settings, curators focus on managing collections of art or artifacts in museums, often engaging in curation, exhibition planning, and public education. Archivists, on the other hand, specialize in preserving and organizing historical documents and records. Salaries can vary based on experience, location, and institution type, but generally, curators tend to earn slightly higher salaries due to their public-facing roles and specialized expertise.

Are curators in high demand?

The demand for curators varies by sector, with museums, galleries, and cultural institutions often experiencing steady need for qualified professionals. Growth in digital collections and online exhibitions has also increased opportunities for curators with skills in digital archiving and multimedia tools. Overall, job prospects depend on the specific industry and geographic region.

Is it difficult to become a curator?

Becoming a curator typically requires a relevant degree in art, history, or a related field, along with experience in collections management or museum work. Developing specialized knowledge, strong organizational skills, and often obtaining certifications can also be important for advancing in the field.
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Curator Salaries jobs near you
Infographic showing various Curator Salaries job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 80% Full Time, 13% Part Time, and 7% Temporary. Highlights an 93% In-person, and 7% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $72,627 per year, or $34.9 per hour.

Curator Archivist

The University of Oklahoma

Norman, OK • On-site

$18.99/hr

Full-time

Re-posted 15 days ago

University Of Oklahoma rating

8.1

Company rating: 8.1 out of 10

Based on 68 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

168th of 622 rated colleges and universities

Job description

Curator Archivist
Job no: 493385
Work type: Professional hourly
Location: Norman
Categories: Arts, Media & Communications
Pay Range: Targeted salary $18.99 per hour, based on experience
Benefits Eligible: Yes
Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (may include some weekends)
Travel: May be required
For Best Consideration Date: 8/1/2026
Position Introduction:
The Curator Archivist is responsible for the daily curatorial operations and management of the SNOMNH Fish Collection. Develop and maintain the collection, database, and support research and exhibition programs. Maintain the Fish Collection website, including the online database and image library. Ensure proper permits and documentation for field collection and loan and exchange of museum specimens. Assist curator, faculty, scholars, and students in obtaining and identifying specimens for their research projects. Assist in organizing and preparing presentations and programs highlighting collection materials and research activities. Train and supervise students, interns and volunteers, and helping visitors make use of the collection.
View full job description
Required Education and Experience:
  • Bachelor's degree.

Department Preferences:
  • Graduate degree (M.S. or PhD) in a discipline relevant to natural history collections, such as Biology, Biological Sciences, Museum
  • Studies, or a related field, with an emphasis in fish biology.
  • 36-48 months of collection-related experience in natural history museum collections, including some to all the following: curation, collection and database management, registration, digitization, and preparation of fish specimens (wet and dry collections), or academic experience working with collections in a museum, educational or similar public institution.
  • Demonstrated knowledge of fish systematics and biology.
  • Experience in the preparation and preservation of fishes and genomic resources.
  • Experience with database management and relational databases and knowledge of external data repositories such as GBIF.
  • Proficiency in using microscopes and other equipment essential for laboratory biological collections work.
  • SCUBA certification (e.g., PADI/SSI Open Water or higher).

Hiring Contingent Upon a Background Check: Yes
Advertised: 10 Jul 2026 Central Daylight Time
Applications close: 08 Oct 2026 Central Daylight Time
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About University of Oklahoma

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The University of Oklahoma is a prominent educational institution positioned in Norman, Oklahoma, US. Established in 1890, the university stakes a claim within the higher education industry and has a storied history of excellence in academics and research. Serving over 20,000 students, the university offers a wide range of programs across fields such as arts and sciences, business, engineering, international studies, and more. Emphasizing a dedication to unlocking potential, OU's mission is to provide the best possible educational experience to students through excellence in teaching, research, and creative activity. Notably, the institution has made significant strides in research with a focus on areas such as cancer, aerospace, and energy among others.

Industry

Education

Company size

5,001 - 10,000 Employees

Headquarters location

Norman, OK, US

Year founded

1890

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