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Insect Curator Jobs (NOW HIRING)

CYNET SYSTEMS

Laboratory Technician

Johnston, IA · On-site

$18 - $23/hr

Working with a team to execute insect and plant-based experiments. * Collection and curation of high-quality data under deadlines. * Assisting with all aspects of insect colony tasks, such as daily ...

State of Virginia

Natural Heritage Tech

Richmond, VA · On-site

$15 - $17/hr

Prepare insect specimens following standard curatorial techniques, including pinning/pointing and labelling of moths, butterflies, bees, and other insect groups as assigned. * Carefully and ...

ALM Commercial Landscaping

PHC Applicator

Trussville, AL · On-site

$22 - $28/hr

Provide training of proper planting and maintenance techniques and identifies insect and disease issues as they arise and performs curative applications after confirming a diagnosis and following ...

Audubon Institute

Keeper Entomologist

New Orleans, LA · On-site

Assistant Curator/Curator of Entomology Location: Audubon Aquarium and Audubon Insectarium FLSA ... Provide animal care to Audubon's living collection at assigned facility-Insectarium or Insect ...

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Insect Curator information

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$25.5K

$72.6K

$119.5K

How much do insect curator jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 12, 2026, the average yearly pay for insect 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 is an insect curator?

Insect Curators are professionals responsible for managing and caring for insect collections in museums, research institutions, or universities. Their duties include cataloguing specimens, preserving and preparing insects, conducting research, and making the collection accessible to scientists and the public. They also often participate in educational outreach and may contribute to scientific publications. Insect Curators play a crucial role in maintaining biodiversity records and supporting entomological research.

What are some common challenges faced by an insect curator in maintaining and cataloging large entomological collections?

Insect Curators often manage thousands or even millions of specimens, requiring meticulous organization and attention to detail. One of the main challenges is preventing damage from pests, humidity, or light exposure, which can compromise delicate specimens. Additionally, curators must keep up with evolving taxonomic classifications and digitize records to make the collection accessible for research and public education. Collaboration with researchers, educators, and conservationists is also essential to ensure the collection remains relevant and well-maintained.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an insect curator?

To thrive as an Insect Curator, you need a strong background in entomology, taxonomy, and museum studies, often backed by an advanced degree in biological sciences or a related field. Familiarity with specimen management systems, collection databases, and preservation techniques is typically required. Attention to detail, organizational skills, and effective communication are vital soft skills for managing collections and engaging with researchers or the public. These competencies ensure accurate specimen curation, contribute to scientific research, and help educate the community about insect biodiversity.

What is the difference between Insect Curator vs Entomologist?

AspectInsect CuratorEntomologist
Required CredentialsBachelor's degree in biology or entomology, museum experienceBachelor's or higher in entomology or related field, often with research experience
Work EnvironmentMuseums, zoos, research collectionsResearch labs, universities, fieldwork
Employer & Industry UsageMuseums, educational institutions, zoosResearch institutions, government agencies, academia
Common Search & Comparison IntentYesYes

The main difference is that an Insect Curator manages and maintains insect collections in museums or zoos, focusing on preservation and display. An Entomologist conducts research, studies insect behavior, and may work in labs or fieldwork. Both roles require similar educational backgrounds, but their work environments and primary responsibilities differ.

More about Insect Curator jobs
What cities are hiring for Insect Curator jobs? Cities with the most Insect Curator job openings:
What states have the most Insect Curator jobs? States with the most job openings for Insect Curator jobs include:
What job categories do people searching Insect Curator jobs look for? The top searched job categories for Insect Curator jobs are:
Insect Curator jobs near you
Infographic showing various Insect Curator job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 82% Full Time, and 18% Part Time. Highlights an 91% In-person, and 9% Hybrid job distribution, with an average salary of $72,627 per year, or $34.9 per hour.

Research Tech/Life Sciences

University of New Mexico

Albuquerque, NM

$17.50 - $24/hr

Full-time

Re-posted 26 days ago

University Of New Mexico rating

8.4

Company rating: 8.4 out of 10

Based on 55 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

98th of 618 rated colleges and universities

Job description

Assist in curating the U.S. Forest Service's forest health insect collection and insect pest collections at the University of New Mexico (UNM). Collaborate with the U.S

Forest Service on the collection of insect specimens in the field. Work alongside the Museum of Southwestern Biology's Division of Arthropods (MSBA) throughout the collection process. Pin, prepare, and identify all collected specimens according to MSBA protocols.

Enter specimen data into the Ecdysis database following established MSBA collection standards.

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