Explore Jobs
Find Specific Jobs
Explore Careers
Explore Professions
Best Companies
Explore Companies
Job outlook for curators in the United States
Curator job growth summary. After extensive research, interviews, and analysis, Zippia's data science team found that:
The projected curator job growth rate is 12% from 2018-2028.
About 4,200 new jobs for curators are projected over the next decade.
Curator salaries have increased 7% for curators in the last 5 years.
There are over 8,254 curators currently employed in the United States.
There are 432 active curator job openings in the US.
The average curator salary is $47,923.
Are curator jobs in demand?
Curator job and salary trends over time
Curator jobs over time
Curator job growth rate over time
Year  | # Of Jobs | % Of Population |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 8,254 | 0.00% |
| 2020 | 8,793 | 0.00% |
| 2019 | 9,646 | 0.00% |
| 2018 | 9,190 | 0.00% |
| 2017 | 8,643 | 0.00% |
Average curator salary over time
Curator salary by year
| Year | Avg. Salary | Hourly Rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $47,923 | $23.04 | +4.4% |
| 2024 | $45,888 | $22.06 | +1.5% |
| 2023 | $45,223 | $21.74 | +0.0% |
| 2022 | $45,215 | $21.74 | +0.8% |
| 2021 | $44,870 | $21.57 | +3.6% |
Curator jobs by state
Most common states for curators
| Rank | State | Population | # of Jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | District of Columbia | 693,972 | 4 | 1% |
| 2 | California | 39,536,653 | 20 | 0% |
| 3 | Virginia | 8,470,020 | 14 | 0% |
| 4 | New York | 19,849,399 | 11 | 0% |
| 5 | Texas | 28,304,596 | 7 | 0% |
| 6 | Connecticut | 3,588,184 | 3 | 0% |
| 7 | Pennsylvania | 12,805,537 | 3 | 0% |
| 8 | Missouri | 6,113,532 | 3 | 0% |
| 9 | Ohio | 11,658,609 | 3 | 0% |
| 10 | Nebraska | 1,920,076 | 3 | 0% |
| 11 | New Hampshire | 1,342,795 | 2 | 0% |
| 12 | Oregon | 4,142,776 | 2 | 0% |
| 13 | Maine | 1,335,907 | 1 | 0% |
| 14 | Wisconsin | 5,795,483 | 1 | 0% |
| 15 | Rhode Island | 1,059,639 | 0 | 0% |
| 16 | Alaska | 739,795 | 0 | 0% |
| 17 | Delaware | 961,939 | 0 | 0% |
| 18 | West Virginia | 1,815,857 | 0 | 0% |
| 19 | Nevada | 2,998,039 | 0 | 0% |
| 20 | North Dakota | 755,393 | 0 | 0% |
Most common cities for curators
| Rank | City | # of Jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl | Avg. Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Culver City | 1 | 3% | $59,255 |
| 2 | Cupertino | 1 | 2% | $63,348 |
| 3 | Middletown | 1 | 2% | $57,299 |
| 4 | Orlando | 3 | 1% | $38,696 |
| 5 | Cambridge | 1 | 1% | $48,684 |
| 6 | Gainesville | 1 | 1% | $38,564 |
| 7 | Mountain View | 1 | 1% | $63,405 |
| 8 | Baltimore | 1 | 0% | $50,044 |
| 9 | Chicago | 1 | 0% | $49,306 |
| 10 | Indianapolis | 1 | 0% | $47,981 |
Curator job outlook: Expert opinions
Our panel of curator experts
Southern University at New Orleans
What general advice would you give to a Curator?
Dr. Haitham Eid Ph.D.: Starting a career in the museum field can be exciting and rewarding. My general advice to museum studies graduates is to always continue expanding their knowledge and skills through professional workshops and conferences. Attending museum events, conferences, and workshops will expand your professional network which can open up opportunities for job placement, collaboration, and career advancement. It is important that you stay up to date with current trends, technologies, and issues in the museum field by reading museum publications, following relevant blogs, and participating in professional development opportunities. I would also encourage new graduates to consider specializing in a particular area of museum work, such as collections management, exhibition design, or education. Developing expertise in a specific area can help you stand out in the field. With this being said, the museum field can be competitive, so be open to different opportunities and be willing to take on new challenges to grow in your career.
What Curator skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Dr. Haitham Eid Ph.D.: The museum field is evolving rapidly, requiring professionals to stay agile, adaptable, and committed to lifelong learning. As museums continue to expand their use of digital tools to manage their collections, engage audiences in galleries and online, and improve its social impact, digital literacy will be an essential skill for museum professionals. This includes proficiency with digital tools and platforms, as well as an understanding of digital best practices in areas such as social media, virtual/augmented reality, and artificial intelligence. Also, the ability to analyze data will be increasingly important for museums to understand their audiences, track trends, and make informed decisions. Skills in data analysis and visualization will be valuable for museum professionals in various roles. With an increasing focus on diversity, equity, accessibility, and inclusion (DEAI) in museums, cultural competency skills will be crucial. This includes understanding and respecting diverse cultures, perspectives, and experiences. Additionally, skills in collaboration, communication, innovation, and interdisciplinary work will be essential for successful museum professionals.
What will help Curators increase their earning potential?
Dr. Haitham Eid Ph.D.: There are several effective strategies you can use to increase your earning potential in the museum field. Consider developing specialized skills such as graphic design or film making. That will make you more valuable to employers and increase your earning potential. Don’t hesitate to negotiate your salary. Research salary ranges for similar positions in your area and be prepared to negotiate for a salary that reflects your worth. You can seek the advice of other museum colleagues. Also, websites like Glassdoor, PayScale, and the Bureau of Labor Statistics can provide salary information for museum professionals. When negotiating salary for a new job, be prepared to advocate for yourself. Highlight your skills, experience, and value to the organization. Salaries can vary widely depending on the location and type of museum. Consider seeking opportunities in areas with higher salaries or in museums that offer competitive compensation packages.
Dr. Barry Jackisch
Associate Professor of History and Director of the Roger Ray Institute for HumanitiesWhat Curator skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Dr. Barry Jackisch: For the field of Holocaust studies in particular, I think several things are important. One is to understand the broader field of comparative genocide and where recent research on the Holocaust fits into that work. Secondly, students should pay close attention to the emerging field of digital humanities, with a particular focus on digital research and presentation regarding the Holocaust. The United States Holocaust Memorial Museum is a strong resource in this area.