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Museum Curator Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Artinfoland

$70 - $120/hr

It is the 20th-largest art museum in the United States and organizes its holdings across seven curatorial departments. Its collection contains more than 100,000 works of art and design representing ...

Elixir Technologies

Curator

New Orleans, LA · On-site

Job Type Full-time Description The National WWII Museum is currently seeking a Curator. Reporting to the Associate Vice President of Curatorial Affairs, the Curator is a vital member of the ...

SupportFinity™

Chief Curator

Waterville, ME · On-site

$130 - $150/hr

Department Museum of Art Pay Rate Type Salary Job Summary The Colby College Museum of Art, located in Waterville, Maine, seeks an experienced, visionary, and highly collaborative Chief Curator to ...

The University of Oklahoma

Curator Archivist

Norman, OK · On-site

$18.99/hr

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 ...

Woodruff Arts Center

$100K/yr

The High Museum of Art seeks an innovative and experienced curator with expertise in contemporary fashion to lead the program for its new endeavor, the Lauren Amos Fashion Project.With the North ...

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Museum Curator information

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$28K

$76.3K

$135.5K

How much do museum curator jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 5, 2026, the average yearly pay for museum curator 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 a museum curator?

Museum curators are professionals responsible for acquiring, caring for, and displaying objects within a museum's collection. They conduct research, develop exhibitions, and ensure the preservation of artifacts. Curators often work closely with the public through educational programs and tours, and they may also handle administrative tasks such as fundraising or managing budgets. Their expertise helps make museum collections accessible and informative to visitors.

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

To thrive as a Museum Curator, you need expertise in art history or a relevant subject, research skills, and typically a master's degree in museum studies or a related field. Familiarity with collection management systems, digital archiving tools, and exhibit design software is essential. Strong communication, organizational skills, and a passion for education help curators engage audiences and collaborate with stakeholders. These skills are crucial for preserving collections, creating compelling exhibits, and fostering public appreciation of cultural heritage.

What do museum curators do?

Some museum curator positions require a bachelor’s degree in art, archeology, history, museum studies, or a related field, but many museums now require candidates to hold a master’s degree. You may need a doctorate to move into supervisory roles. Volunteer at a local museum to gain hands-on experience in the field. Learn how to bid or apply for different artifacts and the proper way to handle them. You can find museum curator positions at museums, historic sites, nature centers, and zoos.

What are some common challenges museum curators face when developing new exhibitions?

Museum Curators often encounter challenges such as balancing artistic vision with budget constraints, ensuring the proper care and conservation of artifacts, and coordinating with multiple departments like education and marketing. They also need to consider visitor engagement, accessibility, and sometimes negotiate loans or partnerships with other institutions. Successfully managing these aspects requires strong project management skills and a collaborative approach with colleagues across the museum.

What is the difference between Museum Curator vs Museum Educator?

AspectMuseum CuratorMuseum Educator
Required CredentialsBachelor's or Master's in Museum Studies, History, or related fieldBachelor's or Master's in Education, Museum Studies, or related field
Work EnvironmentGallery or exhibit management, collection care, researchEducational programs, tours, community outreach
Employer & Industry UsageMuseums, historical societies, cultural institutionsMuseums, science centers, cultural organizations
Common Search & ComparisonOften compared for roles involving collections and exhibitsFocuses on education and visitor engagement

While both Museum Curators and Museum Educators work within museums and cultural institutions, curators primarily manage collections, develop exhibits, and conduct research. In contrast, museum educators focus on creating educational programs, guiding visitors, and promoting learning experiences. Both roles require relevant degrees and are essential for enriching visitor engagement and preserving cultural heritage.

How hard is it to get a job as a Museum Curator?

Securing a position as a Museum Curator can be competitive, often requiring a master's degree in museum studies, history, or a related field, along with relevant experience such as internships or previous curatorial work. Strong research, organizational skills, and knowledge of collections management are also important for success in this role.

How much money can you make as a museum curator?

Museum curators typically earn a median annual salary of around $50,000 to $70,000, with higher earnings possible for those with advanced degrees, extensive experience, or working in large or prestigious institutions. Salaries can vary based on location, specialization, and the size of the museum.
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Museum Curator jobs near you
Infographic showing various Museum Curator job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 2% Locum Tenens, 1% As Needed, 72% Full Time, 15% Part Time, 2% Temporary, and 8% Contract. Highlights an 99% Physical, and 1% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $76,262 per year, or $36.7 per hour.

Curator

The National World War II Museum

New Orleans, LA • On-site

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 5 days ago

Key responsibilities

  • Participate in the research, proposal, and documentation of acquisitions and prepare written information about collections for publication.

  • Serve as lead on exhibition projects, including developing exhibition themes and preparing proposals for temporary and permanent exhibits.

  • Develop, produce, and analyze exhibition-related programming, educational materials, and conduct tours, workshops, and public presentations related to collections and exhibitions.

Job description

Description:

The National WWII Museum is currently seeking a Curator. Reporting to the Associate Vice President of Curatorial Affairs, the Curator is a vital member of the curatorial team and works closely with collections, archives, digitization, exhibits, and education staff members. The Curator participates in the research, proposal, and documentation of acquisitions; publication and presentation on the collection; and will serve as lead on exhibition projects, including the proposal of exhibition themes. This position requires extensive knowledge of WWII material culture, strong written and verbal communication skills, precise attention to detail, and the ability to communicate and work with both scholarly audiences and the general public. A demonstrated team player, the Curator must be able to work independently and collaboratively with a small staff and vigorous work schedule under the guidance of the Associate Vice President of Curatorial Affairs.

Requirements:

  Collections

  • Work with the entire curatorial team on donor relations and regularly participate in the Museum’s Acquisition Review Committee
  • Evaluate, propose, and organize new collections to fill gaps within the Museum’s collection
  • Inventory, catalog, and document artifacts and archival items in the Museum’s collection management system (Ke EMu)
  • Research, compile, and prepare written information about collections for publication on the institution's website and other channels

  Exhibits

  • Investigate and develop opportunities for temporary special exhibitions in support of the Museum’s mission, preparing exhibition proposals 3-4 years in advance for review and approval by department heads and by the President & CEO
  • Actively participate in the development of permanent exhibits and other special projects as needed
  • Select and prepare items for rotation in permanent exhibits across the Museum’s campus as assigned

  Education/Programs

  • Work with members of Education to develop, produce, and analyze exhibition-related programming, educational materials, and didactics
  • Prepare and present lectures and other public programs
  • Conduct and/or organize tours, workshops, and instructional sessions to acquaint individuals with the Museum’s collections
  • Present on collections and exhibitions to the general public through gallery walks, print and online articles, media opportunities and other venues

  Research

  • Conduct original research on the Museum collections and present and/or publish research in academic and scholarly venues and at appropriate conferences
  • Identify and coordinate research opportunities for scholars and students

  Fundraising

  • Provide support in the preparation of grants and other funding proposals to generate revenue in support of curatorial, collections, and exhibit initiatives
  • Provide information, ideas, suggestions, and assistance to the Institutional Advancement department in the formulation of sponsorship packages for programs, events, exhibits, and other activities

  Marketing and Communications

  • Provide information and assistance to Marketing and Communications department to develop communication and marketing materials and strategies regarding collections, exhibitions, and programs

Qualifications

  • MA in History, Museum Science or related specialty
  • Minimum of four years’ experience in a curatorial role at a history museum, cultural center, or similar institution
  • Extensive knowledge of the American Experience during World War II with emphasis on World War II-era material culture; specialization preferred
  • Thorough knowledge of cataloging procedures and standards with a demonstrated ability to work with computerized collections databases
  • Thorough understanding of best practices for collection stewardship
  • Exceptional research and verbal and written communication skills
  • Strong project management and organizational skills
  • Excellent interpersonal skills with a proven ability to work well with colleagues, other employees, donors, lenders, and guests
  • Willingness to work evenings or weekends during special events or heavy visitation periods
  • Willingness to participate in other duties of a manual nature such as moving and warehousing collections, installation of exhibits, and moving/driving macro-artifacts as required

In addition to offering competitive wages, the Museum’s benefits package includes: 

  • Medical insurance – 2 plan options; Museum pays 75% of premium 
  • Dental and vision insurance 
  • Flexible spending account 
  • 401(k) – Museum matches 50% of employee contribution up to 6%; employer contribution full vested after 3 years of employment 
  • Life insurance and AD&D - $15,000 policy employer paid; additional life and AD&D available 
  • Long term disability insurance 
  • Paid vacation and sick leave, 10 paid holidays per year 
  • Free parking 
  • Tuition assistance and professional development 
  • Employee assistance program 

The National WWII Museum is an Equal Opportunity Employer and seeks diversity in its workforce.  We are dedicated to a policy of non-discrimination in employment on any basis including age, sex, race, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, or disability.  Consistent with the Americans with Disabilities Act, applicants may request accommodations needed to participate in the application process.