1

Data Curator Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Senior Data Engineer / Data Curator

San Jose, CA · On-site

$124K - $168K/yr

As a Senior Data Engineer in the AI Data Curation track, you will design and maintain scalable data pipelines, ensuring that the data for AI models is high-quality and aligned with ethical standards.

Staff Data Scientist

San Francisco, CA · Hybrid

$220K - $280K/yr

Advanced Data Curation & Management: Develop comprehensive data curation strategies for improvements to AI models. Partner with MLOps to architect data management systems for algorithm training and ...

Staff Data Scientist

San Francisco, CA · On-site

$220K - $280K/yr

Advanced Data Curation & Management: Develop comprehensive data curation strategies for improvements to AI models. Partner with MLOps to architect data management systems for algorithm training and ...

Research Scientist, Data

Palo Alto, CA · On-site

$185K - $400K/yr

This pivotal role will strengthen our research teams by building, optimizing, and owning large-scale data pipelines and robust ML data curation, ensuring our foundation models have access to the ...

next page

Showing results 1-20

Data Curator information

See California salary details

$25.2K

$71.7K

$117.9K

How much do data curator jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 3, 2026, the average yearly pay for data curator in California is $71,675.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $49,300.00 and $92,800.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does a data curator do?

A Data Curator is responsible for collecting, organizing, and maintaining datasets to ensure they are accurate, accessible, and usable for analysis. They work with data scientists, analysts, and other stakeholders to standardize metadata, establish data governance policies, and improve data quality. Data Curators often clean and enrich datasets, manage data repositories, and ensure compliance with regulatory standards. Their role is essential in making data more discoverable and valuable for decision-making and research.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in the data curator position, and why are they important?

Success as a Data Curator requires strong analytical abilities, attention to detail, and a background in information management, data science, or a related field. Familiarity with data management tools, metadata standards (such as Dublin Core), and systems like relational databases and data repositories is highly advantageous, and certifications in data governance or data management can be beneficial. Excellent organizational skills, effective communication, and a collaborative mindset are key soft skills for this role. Mastery of these skills ensures data assets are accurately cataloged, accessible, and usable for stakeholders, supporting effective decision-making and research outcomes.

Is a data curator a good job?

A data curator is responsible for organizing, maintaining, and ensuring the quality of data within organizations, often using tools like databases and data management software. It is a growing field with opportunities in various industries, requiring skills in data analysis, attention to detail, and familiarity with data standards. The role can offer stable employment and career advancement for those with relevant technical skills and experience.

How do you become a data curator?

To become a data curator, individuals typically need a bachelor's degree in information science, library science, computer science, or a related field. Gaining skills in data management, metadata standards, and data cleaning tools such as Excel, SQL, or specialized software is important, along with experience in data organization and quality control. Certifications in data management or related areas can also enhance job prospects.

What does a typical day look like for a data curator, and who do they usually collaborate with?

A typical day for a Data Curator involves collecting, organizing, and annotating datasets, maintaining data integrity, and updating records to comply with quality standards. Data Curators frequently work alongside data analysts, researchers, and IT professionals to ensure data is properly structured and easily accessible for various projects. You may also interact with data stewards or subject matter experts to validate metadata or resolve inconsistencies. Collaboration and communication are integral to the role, as you help bridge technical teams and end users, ensuring that data systems meet the evolving needs of the organization.

What are the most commonly searched types of Data Curator jobs in California? The most popular types of Data Curator jobs in California are:
What job categories do people searching Data Curator jobs in California look for? The top searched job categories for Data Curator jobs in California are:
What cities in California are hiring for Data Curator jobs? Cities in California with the most Data Curator job openings:
Infographic showing various Data Curator job openings in California as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 60% Full Time, and 40% Part Time. Highlights an 60% In-person, 20% Hybrid, and 20% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $71,675 per year, or $34.5 per hour.

Senior Data Engineer / Data Curator

TSMC

San Jose, CA • On-site

$124K - $168K/yr

Full-time

Re-posted 15 days ago


TSMC rating

8.0

Company rating: 8.0 out of 10

Based on 21 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

55th of 156 rated electronics manufacturers


Job description

Job Summary:
TSMC Arizona is a leading semiconductor manufacturing company, offering an opportunity to work at the most advanced fab in the United States. As a Senior Data Engineer in the AI Data Curation track, you will design and maintain scalable data pipelines, ensuring that the data for AI models is high-quality and aligned with ethical standards.
Responsibilities:
• Design and implement data pipelines for processing, cleaning, and curating large datasets used in model training and fine-tuning.
• Automate data cleaning processes (e.g., removing noise, duplicates, irrelevant content) and ensure datasets are appropriately labeled and structured.
• Collaborate with model teams to ensure data aligns with model requirements and performance goals.
• Assess and mitigate bias in datasets, ensuring that models are trained on diverse and representative data.
• Manage data storage and retrieval strategies, ensuring scalability and data consistency across different environments.
• Conduct regular audits to ensure data integrity, privacy, and security compliance.
Qualifications:
Required:
• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Data Science, or a related field.
• 5+ years of experience in data engineering, data wrangling, or data curation, particularly in machine learning or AI-driven environments.
• Strong proficiency in Python (Pandas, NumPy) and SQL for data manipulation and querying.
• Familiarity with cloud-based data storage (AWS S3, Google Cloud Storage, etc.) and distributed systems for managing large datasets.
• Experience with data annotation tools and platforms for manual or semi-automated labeling.
• Experience with NLP data formats, such as JSONL, text, or embeddings, and an understanding of tokenization.
• Experience managing data pipelines with tools like Apache Kafka, Apache Airflow, or similar ETL tools.
• Strong knowledge of AI ethics, data privacy, and compliance standards (GDPR, CCPA, etc.).
• Candidates must be willing and able to work on-site at our Phoenix Arizona facility.
• Communication
• Computer proficiency
• Presentation skills
• Listening
• Teamwork
Preferred:
• Experience with vector databases and indexing for LLMs (e.g., FAISS, Pinecone).
Company:
Established in 1987, TSMC is the world's first dedicated semiconductor foundry. Founded in 1987, the company is headquartered in Hsinchu, TWN, with a team of 10001+ employees. The company is currently Late Stage.

What TSMC employees say

Pay

Benefits

Hours and flexibility

Workplace

Get the full story on Breakroom