A museum curator is in charge of building collections, frequently in specialized fields. Through exhibitions, books, events, and audio-visual presentations, they create new ways to understand artifacts, archives, and other works of literature. The median annual salary for curators, as reported by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, is $54,570 per year.Let Us Know Salaries For Museum Curator
The average museum curator makes $54,570 a year, or $28.39 per hour. Most experienced workers can earn up to $90,377 per year, while entry-level occupations start at $43,134 annually. According to the job forecast, employment will rise by 11%, which is faster than the average rate for all occupations.
How much does a curator make at a museum?
In the US, a museum curator receives an average salary of $54,570 per year. The typical incentive for a museum curator is $2,067, or 3% of their annual compensation, and 100% of those surveyed said they get bonuses every year. San Francisco has the highest average total income for museum curators at $117,271, which is 49% higher than the US average.
What are the Job Prospects for museum curators?
Curators of museums acquire artifacts, plan displays, coordinate artifact restoration, catalog, and record objects, arrange loans, and answer questions. Additionally, museum curators work closely with colleagues in a variety of fields, including marketing, design, conservation, and teaching. Typically, museum curators are employed by historical sites and museums. For careers as museum curators, a bachelor’s degree is required in any field; however, degrees in art history, archaeology, and allied fields are desirable. Successful museum curators flourish in collaborative settings and have strong research and IT skills.
The average salary for museum curators in the US is $54,570 per year, with earnings ranging from $14,860 to $396,665. The average pay for museum curators ranges from $71,354 to $178,951, with the top 86% earning $396,665 annually.
What Skills Do You Need to Be a Museum Curator?
Curators frequently indicate very high levels of job satisfaction, despite the fact that the remuneration might occasionally be low and the hours can sometimes be lengthy and unpredictable. People in this position work on issues they are passionate about and are aware that what they do has a significant impact on society and local communities.
Self-taught volunteers may curate some small, neighborhood museums. However, a master’s degree in one of the many relevant subjects is necessary for professional curation at galleries and museums. A Ph.D. and several years of practical experience were necessary to advance to the position of lead curator at a museum. Many people received their training in preparation for a different profession, like teaching or scientific research, and only realized they were suited for curation when a job opportunity presented itself.
What kind of taxes must a museum curator pay?
For a single filer in this tax band in 2018, the expected average federal tax rate is 22%. Museum curators might anticipate earning $65,528 annually after paying a federal tax rate of 22%, or roughly $2,730 every paycheck.
What is the average lifestyle of a museum curator?
A Museum Curator would devote 45.89% of their monthly take-home pay—roughly $5,461—to rent with a median 2BR apartment rental cost of $2,506 per month.
What are the key responsibilities of a museum curator?
- Create and maintain new collections to enhance educational and research infrastructure
- Keep records up to date and catalog new purchases
- Partner with other organizations
- Conserve collections by conducting research, compiling information, and writing up written information about catalogs for publication on the institution’s website.
- Web Page updates to describe new attractions
- Raise money and get grants to upgrade your facilities, grow your collection, or help your study.
What are the different pay-scale in museums?
The director ($293,988 average annual salary), deputy director ($173,572 average annual salary), and chief operating officer ($172,872) are the positions with the highest salaries in museums. Moreover, at the top of the pay scale are chief conservators ($118,271) and chief curators ($143,412), two positions that call for advanced degrees, extensive training, or both. Security guard ($33,974), education department assistant ($37,801), and curatorial assistant ($42,458) are the three lowest-paid occupations.
Although these salary rates are greater than those at many other worldwide institutions, they may not be sufficient to pay off substantial student loans, especially for entry-level curators and instructors.
What are the qualifications and criteria for Museum Curators?
- Knowledge of databases and other programs used by museums
- It may be helpful to have more training, experience, or expertise in certain industries to have a better grasp of collection and fundraising.
- Excellent design instincts and a keen eye for details
- Strong people, resources, and negotiation skills
- Excellent research, communication, and interpersonal abilities
- Ability to effectively arrange, present, and explain messages through design
- Excellent writing and verbal communication skills
- Excellent project management and organizational abilities
What are the highest paying cities for museum curators?
The highest paying cities for museum curators are Washington DC, Los Angeles: $53,565 per year, Dalla: $50,885 per year, followed by Auston and Huston with a salary of $50,605 and $49,871 per year respectively.
Conclusion
As of recent surveys and statistics, it has been found that the average income for museum curators working is $62,693, with a typical compensation range of $53,504 to $75,251 per year. Salary ranges can differ greatly depending on a number of important factors, including education, experience, certifications, and supplementary skills.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1. Is there a demand for museum curators?
From 2020 to 2030, it is anticipated that employment of museum curators will increase overall by 19 percent, which is substantially faster than the average for all occupations.
Q2. What position in a museum has the highest pay?
The three administrative jobs with the greatest pay in museums are the director ($293,988 average annual salary), deputy director ($173,572 average annual salary), and chief operations officer ($172,872 annually).
Q3. Where do museum curators get the highest salaries?
The museum curators get the highest salaries in Washington, DC.
Q4. Does becoming a museum curator require a Ph.D.?
A Ph.D. and around five years of relevant experience are prerequisites for becoming a curator in a national museum. There is tough competition in academics, and the job expectations are too high. However, graduate degrees in curatorship, art history, history, chemistry, and business administration are useful.
