Curators Salary by State
The national median pay for curators is $63,420 a year. By state, it ranges from $40,600 in Mississippi to $93,310 in District of Columbia.
Updated October 2026 · Data: BLS OEWS May 2025 · How we match careers
U.S. pay range
- Lowest 10%
- $40,470
- 25th percentile
- $48,870
- Median
- $63,420
- 75th percentile
- $83,080
- Top 10%
- $107,140
Annual pay, all U.S. workers in this job. About 12,150 jobs.
Median pay in 48 states and DC
| # | State | Median | vs. U.S. | Lowest 10% | Top 10% | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | District of Columbia | $93,310 | +47% | $62,530 | $161,380 | 140 |
| 2 | New Hampshire | $82,490 | +30% | $44,620 | $121,030 | 60 |
| 3 | New York | $79,120 | +25% | $46,060 | $148,580 | 1,330 |
| 4 | California | $78,740 | +24% | $53,390 | $125,670 | 1,140 |
| 5 | Rhode Island | $77,930 | +23% | $46,740 | $108,900 | 70 |
| 6 | New Jersey | $77,800 | +23% | $48,870 | $114,880 | 120 |
| 7 | Massachusetts | $77,790 | +23% | $41,310 | $130,480 | 370 |
| 8 | Connecticut | $76,510 | +21% | $46,980 | $127,510 | 190 |
| 9 | South Dakota | $74,990 | +18% | $49,740 | $98,490 | 50 |
| 10 | Washington | $74,030 | +17% | $45,720 | $119,220 | 260 |
| 11 | Colorado | $73,630 | +16% | $51,940 | $104,530 | 300 |
| 12 | Nevada | $69,900 | +10% | $43,010 | $96,850 | 100 |
| 13 | Wisconsin | $64,370 | +1% | $43,210 | $91,220 | 300 |
| 14 | Alaska | $63,880 | +1% | $53,920 | $105,870 | 90 |
| 15 | Maryland | $63,750 | +1% | $51,860 | $102,260 | 170 |
| 16 | New Mexico | $63,690 | 0% | $50,350 | $74,960 | 140 |
| 17 | Ohio | $63,640 | 0% | $33,280 | $102,610 | 370 |
| 18 | Arizona | $63,510 | 0% | $36,490 | $102,800 | 150 |
| 19 | Michigan | $63,190 | 0% | $36,440 | $105,970 | 360 |
| 20 | Illinois | $63,060 | −1% | $36,490 | $107,990 | 410 |
| 21 | Oregon | $62,790 | −1% | $43,100 | $103,880 | 260 |
| 22 | Idaho | $62,190 | −2% | $40,170 | $76,400 | 50 |
| 23 | Pennsylvania | $62,100 | −2% | $44,930 | $101,490 | 520 |
| 24 | Wyoming | $61,910 | −2% | $36,690 | $82,430 | 90 |
| 25 | Alabama | $61,120 | −4% | $40,800 | $98,470 | 150 |
| 26 | Oklahoma | $60,560 | −5% | $39,040 | $101,970 | 150 |
| 27 | Louisiana | $60,080 | −5% | $36,030 | $101,700 | 160 |
| 28 | Texas | $59,990 | −5% | $43,040 | $93,860 | 690 |
| 29 | Missouri | $59,960 | −5% | $36,790 | $102,850 | 260 |
| 30 | Utah | $59,910 | −6% | $39,870 | $80,790 | 50 |
| 31 | Florida | $59,500 | −6% | $37,880 | $107,000 | 420 |
| 32 | Nebraska | $58,600 | −8% | $37,320 | $86,880 | 120 |
| 33 | Virginia | $58,200 | −8% | $38,550 | $107,910 | 450 |
| 34 | Georgia | $57,810 | −9% | $38,590 | $96,820 | 230 |
| 35 | Tennessee | $57,580 | −9% | $32,960 | $89,130 | 190 |
| 36 | Delaware | $56,800 | −10% | $41,880 | $89,440 | 60 |
| 37 | Kansas | $56,630 | −11% | $30,160 | $88,880 | 120 |
| 38 | Vermont | $56,520 | −11% | $36,810 | $78,210 | 60 |
| 39 | Maine | $56,470 | −11% | $40,100 | $80,110 | 110 |
| 40 | Kentucky | $55,460 | −13% | $34,420 | $82,400 | 130 |
| 41 | Montana | $54,460 | −14% | $37,760 | $88,910 | 100 |
| 42 | Minnesota | $53,920 | −15% | $33,280 | $90,670 | 220 |
| 43 | Indiana | $53,910 | −15% | $41,510 | $84,450 | 220 |
| 44 | Arkansas | $53,870 | −15% | $42,550 | $98,120 | 80 |
| 45 | Iowa | $53,830 | −15% | $31,910 | $89,780 | 230 |
| 46 | Hawaii | $50,720 | −20% | $40,640 | $100,300 | 140 |
| 47 | North Carolina | $49,470 | −22% | $42,240 | $76,890 | 600 |
| 48 | South Carolina | $47,200 | −26% | $35,800 | $78,430 | 120 |
| 49 | Mississippi | $40,600 | −36% | $27,680 | $63,130 | 30 |
BLS OEWS May 2025 state estimates. States without published data are not listed. “Not published”: BLS withheld the value or it is above the highest amount BLS publishes. Pay is not adjusted for living costs.
Curators salary questions
Which state pays curators the most?
District of Columbia, with a median of $93,310 a year (+47% vs. the national median of $63,420). BLS May 2025.
Which state pays curators the least?
Mississippi, with a median of $40,600 a year (−36% vs. national).
Where do most curators work?
New York has the most jobs, about 1,330, with a median of $79,120.
Does a higher salary mean more money left over?
Not always. These are pay figures only. Living costs, taxes and housing differ a lot between states, and this page does not adjust for them.