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Historical Curator Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Museum Curator

Lakewood, CO · On-site

$74K - $82K/yr

Conducts oral history interviews or directs staff and/or volunteers to follow best practices in the process of attaining oral histories. • Maintains historic structures and other macro artifacts ...

This role offers a unique chance to shape the future of art history within a well-resourced and forward-thinking environment. Key opportunities include: * Curatorial Vision Envision a long-term ...

This role offers a unique chance to shape the future of art history within a well-resourced and forward-thinking environment. Key opportunities include: * Curatorial Vision Envision a long-term ...

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Historical Curator information

See salary details

$25.5K

$72.6K

$119.5K

How much do historical curator jobs pay per year?

As of Jun 10, 2026, the average yearly pay for historical curator 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 the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Historical Curator, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Historical Curator, you need expertise in history or museum studies, research proficiency, and often a relevant master's degree. Familiarity with collection management systems, artifact conservation techniques, and digital cataloging tools is typically required. Strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and effective communication are essential soft skills for public engagement and collaboration with stakeholders. These abilities ensure the accurate preservation, interpretation, and presentation of historical artifacts for educational and cultural enrichment.

What is the difference between Historical Curator vs Museum Educator?

AspectHistorical CuratorMuseum Educator
Required CredentialsBachelor's or Master's in History, Museum Studies, or related fieldBachelor's in Education, History, or related field; often requires teaching or communication skills
Work EnvironmentMuseums, archives, historical sitesMuseums, educational programs, community outreach
Employer & Industry UsageHistorical institutions, museums, archivesMuseums, educational organizations, cultural institutions
Common Search & Comparison IntentUnderstanding roles in historical preservation and curationLearning about educational roles within museums

The main difference is that a Historical Curator focuses on acquiring, caring for, and managing historical collections, while a Museum Educator emphasizes creating educational programs and engaging visitors. Both roles work within museums and cultural institutions but serve different functions in preserving history and educating the public.

What does a Historical Curator do?

A Historical Curator is responsible for acquiring, preserving, and interpreting artifacts and documents that have historical significance. They design and organize exhibitions, research collections, and develop educational programs to engage the public. Historical Curators often work in museums, historical societies, or archives, ensuring that items are properly cared for and accessible for research and public viewing. Their work helps to preserve cultural heritage and educate future generations about the past.

What are some common challenges Historical Curators face when managing museum collections?

Historical Curators often encounter challenges such as preserving delicate artifacts, keeping up with evolving conservation techniques, and ensuring accurate documentation. Balancing the need for public access with the protection of sensitive items can also be difficult. Additionally, curators must regularly collaborate with conservators, researchers, and educators to interpret and display collections in engaging ways, all while managing limited budgets and resources.
More about Historical Curator jobs
What cities are hiring for Historical Curator jobs? Cities with the most Historical Curator job openings:
What are the most commonly searched types of Historical Curator jobs? The most popular types of Historical Curator jobs are:
What states have the most Historical Curator jobs? States with the most job openings for Historical Curator jobs include:
Infographic showing various Historical Curator job openings in the United States as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 100% Full Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $72,627 per year, or $34.9 per hour.

$74K - $82K/yr

Full-time

Posted 7 days ago


City Of Lakewood (Colorado) rating

8.7

Company rating: 8.7 out of 10

Based on 9 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

109th of 646 rated public administrative organizations


Job description

The City of Lakewood is dedicated to upholding City values to include: Performance Excellence, Leadership, Respect and Collaboration. Best fit candidates will demonstrate innovation, customer service, dedication, passion and engagement. All people, citizens and employees, will be treated with respect, relevance, and importance.
HIRING RANGE: $74,019.18 - $82,243.53/year
The Museum Curator supports the Heritage, Culture and the Arts Division through collections management and exhibit research, planning, implementation and evaluation. This position oversees variable employees and volunteers specific to these functions. The Curator pursues and manages related grants. Work is performed with considerable independence under the guidance of the Heritage Lakewood Administrator. The City of Lakewood's Heritage Lakewood Belmar Park is a 20th century history park, museum and festival experience that celebrates our community. Located on 15 acres within Belmar Park, Heritage Lakewood includes a Visitor Center, exhibition spaces, festival and event areas and several historic buildings.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
• Leads temporary exhibit development. Plans, researches, designs, organizes, interprets, presents, and celebrates temporary exhibitions, including installation of gallery areas in historic structures. Changes out exhibits two to three times per year.
• Develops engaging written materials for exhibits and historic presentations. Collaborates with Museum Educator to identify and present exhibit related programming opportunities.
• Researches, preserves, and maintains collections and records including correspondence and purchasing storage materials. Oversees records retention process for HCA division.
• Accessions, deaccessions, authenticates, evaluates, catalogues, indexes, digitizes, and stores artifacts and archival materials
• Advances Heritage Lakewood's oral history program. Conducts oral history interviews or directs staff and/or volunteers to follow best practices in the process of attaining oral histories.
• Maintains historic structures and other macro artifacts through systematic and regular checks, condition reports, cleaning, preservation, and pest management.
• Recruits, trains, supervises, and evaluates variable collections staff, interns, and volunteers, as appropriate.
• Identifies, pursues, and administers collections related grant opportunities.
• Responds to inquiries from the public and Lakewood employee departments regarding the museum collections, historic programs, exhibits and general Lakewood history. Listens and responds professionally and tactfully to citizen concerns/issues/questions. Provides excellent customer service.
• Recommends, maintains and tracks curatorial budget including monitoring program area budget design and coordination with Heritage Lakewood Administrator for the HCA Division's budget.
• Supports Heritage Lakewood operations and functions as an integral part of the Heritage Lakewood and HCA team by supporting overall HCA program plan and projects, as requested.
Reporting Relationships
Supervision Received: Receives direct supervision from Heritage Lakewood Administrator (Museum Director)
Supervision Exercised: Oversees variable and volunteers working in collections and historic exhibits.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
• Excellent written, oral, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Clear understanding of best policies, procedures, ethics, and accreditation practices in the museum field that follow the American Alliance of Museums, American Association of State and Local History, and the Secretary of the Interior's Standards for the Treatment of Historic Properties.
• Exhibit design knowledge including familiarity with the tools and materials used for museum exhibits including conservation-wise installation and mount-making.
• Knowledge of local, state and regional 20th Century history.
• Ability to serve as team member for all special projects or events. Ability to work extended hours that may include evenings and weekends for exhibit installations, community events and programs as required.
• Ability to work independently and as a contributing member of the team.
• Ability to be organized, innovative and flexible in long- and short-term planning.
• Ability to demonstrate excellent customer service skills with residents and cultural community.
• Ability to effectively direct the work efforts of volunteers and interns.
• Knowledge and experience in the grant application and administration process.
• Criminal background check and pre-employment physical are required.
Technological Skills
• Collections Management Software (CMS, i.e.PastPerfect)
• Ancestry.com
• Photography and Scanning Equipment
• Use of Photoshop, Adobe, and Workday
Education and Experience
• Education:
Bachelor's degree from an accredited college in history, museum studies or a closely related field is required.
A master's degree in history, museum studies or public administration is also a preferred qualification.
• Experience:
Five years of relevant museum experience includes experience in collections management, preservation, and/or exhibit planning.
Expertise in CMS and Microsoft Office including Excel and Teams.
Preferred experience
Experience with digitizing collections is preferred.
Expertise in PastPerfect.
Certification/Licenses/Specialized Training
• Valid driver's license and good driving record
Working Conditions and Physical Requirements
Medium Work: Exerting up to 50 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 20 pounds of force frequently, and/or up to 10 pounds of force constantly to move objects
PHYSICAL DEMAND
  • Bend or position self to move items from higher place to lower place or vice-versa
  • Lift, carry, push, pull, move, or position from all levels up to 50 pounds
  • Lift, carry, push, pull, move, or position from all levels over 51 pounds. with assistance
  • Sit, stand or be stationary
  • Stoop, kneel, crouch, crawl, climb, balance, turn or twist all of which may include awkward positions on both even and uneven terrain
  • Talk, hear, converse, communicate, or exchange information
  • Use of hands and/or fingers in a repetitive motion to handle, pinch, reach, grasp, move, feel, inspect, etc.
  • Vision to include distance, depth perception, peripheral and color
  • Walk, ascend or descend on both even and uneven terrain

Environmental Conditions may include
  • Confined spaces
  • Extreme cold or heat
  • Frequent vibrations due to equipment use
  • Fumes or airborne particles
  • Moderate to extremely loud noise environment
  • Outdoor weather conditions
  • Toxic or caustic chemicals
  • Wet or humid conditions
  • Work in high, precarious places

The City of Lakewood is a drug-free workplace that provides employment opportunities in compliance with all pertinent federal, state, and local laws. All Lakewood employees are expected to work and complete all tasks in a safe manner consistent with training, standard operating procedures, City or Department policies, and common sense. Working in a safe manner includes the use of personal protective equipment (PPE) and complying with all City and/or Department safety rules. Horseplay on-the-job is strictly forbidden. The failure to work in a safe manner, use PPE, follow standard operating procedure, or comply with a safety rule will result adverse employment consequences ranging from verbal discipline to termination from employment, including any applicable reduction in benefits under the Colorado Workers' Compensation Act. Employees are also expected to encourage safe work practices by all co-employees, and to report any unsafe work practices immediately to a supervisor.
The City of Lakewood celebrates diversity, equity and inclusion in all areas of our workforce. Accordingly, the city is committed to creating, nurturing and sustaining a diverse, equitable and inclusive culture, where differences drive innovative solutions to meet the needs of our community and employees.
Pay Range
$63,295.69-$82,243.53
Background and reference checks will be conducted for all regular and some variable/seasonal positions.