Curators: Salary, Job Description, How To Become One, and Quiz

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[custom_headline class=”subheading” type=”left” level=”h3″]Job description [/custom_headline]

Curators administer collections, such as artwork, collectibles, historic items, or scientific specimens of museums or other institutions. May conduct instructional, research, or public service activities of institution.

  • Plan and organize the acquisition, storage, and exhibition of collections and related materials, including the selection of exhibition themes and designs, and develop or install exhibit materials.
  • Develop and maintain an institution’s registration, cataloging, and basic record-keeping systems, using computer databases.
  • Plan and conduct special research projects in area of interest or expertise.
  • Provide information from the institution’s holdings to other curators and to the public.
Read more about what does a Curator really do at work and what is it like being and working as one.

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[custom_headline class=”subheading” type=”left” level=”h3″]Salary [/custom_headline]
Average salary
$58490 per year

Average hourly wage
$28 per hour

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Curators with little to no experience tend to make between $29010 and $39580 while the more experienced ones can earn over $72830 per year.

Top 5 paying states Hourly Annual
DC $41 $86,080
NJ $36 $75,750
NY $36 $73,850
MA $33 $68,240
CA $33 $67,650

One of the easiest ways to increase your salary as a Curator is to move to a higher paying state like DC. Right now, the highest paying states for Curators are DC, NJ, NY, MA and CA.

However, a higher pay at DC doesn’t guarantee that you will make more because the living expenses at DC might be twice as high than where you are currently at now.

Three other factors that can increase your salary as a Curator is the degree you hold, the industry you work in, and lastly the company you work for.

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[custom_headline class=”subheading” type=”left” level=”h3″] Requirements [/custom_headline]
Recommended degree level
Master’s degree

We asked other Curators what degree they had when they got the job and most of them said they had a Master’s Degree followed by a PhD.

Other than that, we also asked them what did they major in and here are the most popular majors that came up.

Museology/Museum Studies
Art History, Criticism and Conservation
Public/Applied History
Read more about how to become a Curator and the degree, training and education you need.

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[custom_headline class=”subheading” type=”left” level=”h3″] Pros and Cons [/custom_headline]

Here are some of the pros and cons of being a Curator.

[icon type=”thumbs-o-up”] PROS
Suitable for people who likes to start and carry out projects
Suitable for people who wants independence and likes to work on their own and make decisions
This career is perfect for people who love to work indoors.
Good salary (earns more than 50% of the careers out there)
[icon type=”thumbs-o-down”] CONS
Not suitable for people who likes practical and hands-on work
It is very hard to get into this career. Extensive skill, knowledge, and experience is required for this career.
Long working hours (More than 40 hours per week)

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[custom_headline class=”subheading” type=”left” level=”h3″]What is the job like[/custom_headline]
Job satisfaction
68%

Is this job meaningful
60%

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68% of Curators said they were satisfied with their job and 60% said they feel like their job is making other people’s lives better.

Mathilde Leduc
Royal Museum for Central Africa

I have an MA in History of Art, an MBA, and a Ph.D. in History. I currently work as a curator. It’s a constant pleasure and a privilege to have a chance to work in the discipline I want to. I get to share my passion for the past and collections with others through exhibitions, … Read More

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[custom_headline class=”subheading” type=”left” level=”h3″]Is this right for me[/custom_headline]
Best personality for this career
The Entrepreneurs and The Organizers

You can read more about these career personality types here.

People who are suitable for this job tends to like starting up and carrying out projects. They like leading people and making many decisions. Sometimes they require risk taking and often deal with business..

They also like following set procedures and routines. They like working with data and details more than with ideas.

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[content_band class=”toc-bottom” border=”all”] [custom_headline type=”left” style=”margin-top: 0;” level=”h4″ looks_like=”h5″]Learn more about Curators[/custom_headline]
[icon type=”home”] Summary (You are here)
[icon type=”list-ul”] Job Description
[icon type=”dollar”] Salary
[icon type=”graduation-cap”] Requirements
[icon type=”heart”] Quiz
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Related career information

Curators job description, Curators salary, Curators information, what is the job of a Curator like, pros and cons about Curators, colleges and universities for Curators, is Curators the right career for me, careers in Education

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