How much does a Curator make?

The average salary for a Curator is $79,577 per year in United States. Salaries estimates are based on 643 salaries submitted anonymously to Glassdoor by a Curator employees in United States.

The highest salary for a Curator in United States is $104,751 per year.

The lowest salary for a Curator in United States is $60,717 per year.

If you are thinking of becoming a Curator or planning the next step in your career, find details about the role, the career path and salary trajectory of a Curator.

Since curators complete master's or doctorate degrees, possess extensive knowledge in art, history, and restoration techniques, and earn up to $6,786.83 in additional pay for their work, curator salaries can qualify as good overall. 60% of current curators on Glassdoor are satisfied with their salaries.

If you follow the typical career path of a curator, you can expect a wide range of salaries depending on the institution, experience, and education level of the professional, but overall, you'll make somewhere between $47,617.02 and $133,733.98. On average, curators earn a salary of $72,794.77 each year. Once they've established themselves in the role, they may be able to move on to senior curator.

To become a curator, you'll need to possess a master's degree at minimum, but many positions require a doctorate. Use your graduate education to acquire extensive knowledge on art, history, museum studies, and restoration techniques, as well as public relations and customer service. Along with education, experience influences curator salary positively. Profitable positions, such as those at prestigious institutions, often require about five years of professional experience before you can even begin. Consider getting your graduate degree in art history, curatorship, or restoration science to get the most benefits; most curators continue their education after graduation to stay up-to-date with the industry and continue developing their skill set throughout their careers.

A higher salary as a curator extends beyond your paycheck. During negotiations, consider your entire compensation package. While institutions might have a strict salary range for curator positions, they'll budge over factors such as sign-on bonuses, performance-based bonuses, vacation time, flexible working arrangements, wardrobe allowances, and leadership support for your role. While base compensation is the first place to start (you can reasonably ask for a minimum increase of 20%), don't forget these factors. Having a solid plan for how you'll earn that higher paycheck helps, and you'll have more bargaining power for a raise the longer you spend time in the role, further your education, and advance your skills.