Curators Salary in California
Curators in California earn a median annual wage of $78,740 —24.2% above the national median of $63,420. That ranks CA #4 of 49 covered states and territories for this occupation.
Wage distribution
How earnings are spread across workers in this occupation, from the 10th to the 90th percentile.
Employment is only 0.80× as concentrated as the national average — this occupation is relatively scarce in California.
Highest-paying states for curators
All 49 states ranked by median annual wage. California is highlighted.
| # | State | Median annual | Median hourly | Employment | Location quotient |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | District of Columbia | $93,310 | $44.86 | 140 | 2.62 |
| 2 | New Hampshire | $82,490 | $39.66 | 60 | 1.10 |
| 3 | New York | $79,120 | $38.04 | 1,330 | 1.76 |
| 4 | California | $78,740 | $37.86 | 1,140 | 0.80 |
| 5 | Rhode Island | $77,930 | $37.47 | 70 | 1.87 |
| 6 | New Jersey | $77,800 | $37.40 | 120 | 0.36 |
| 7 | Massachusetts | $77,790 | $37.40 | 370 | 1.32 |
| 8 | Connecticut | $76,510 | $36.78 | 190 | 1.41 |
| 9 | South Dakota | $74,990 | $36.05 | 50 | 1.34 |
| 10 | Washington | $74,030 | $35.59 | 260 | 0.93 |
Related occupations in California
Occupations in the same job family, compared within California.
| Occupation | California median | U.S. median |
|---|---|---|
| Teaching Assistants, Except Postsecondary | $46,490 | $36,780 |
| Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education | $99,650 | $63,970 |
| Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education | $101,370 | $72,040 |
| Middle School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education | $98,950 | $64,370 |
| Substitute Teachers, Short-Term | $60,300 | $41,670 |
| Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education | $47,400 | $38,140 |
Frequently asked questions
How much do curators make in California?
The median annual wage for curators in California is $78,740, or $37.86 per hour. That is 24.2% above the national median of $63,420.
What is the entry-level curators salary in California?
Workers at the 10th percentile earn $53,390 per year ($25.67/hour). The 25th percentile is $66,480.
How many people work as curators in California?
About 1,140 people work in this occupation in California, or 0.1 per 1,000 jobs statewide.
Is California a good state for curators?
California ranks #4 of 49 states by median wage for this occupation. Employment is only 0.80x as concentrated as the national average, so this occupation is relatively scarce in California.
Which state pays curators the most?
District of Columbia has the highest median wage at $93,310 per year, followed by New Hampshire ($82,490) and New York ($79,120).