Museum Technician
Handle, install and care for museum objects and exhibits.
- $51,440
- Bachelor’s plus internships
Arts, Media & Design career
Curator
Also called: Museum Curator · Collections Curator · Exhibition Curator · Gallery Curator
What curators do, what they earn, how long training takes and how to get started, with official BLS pay data and practical, job-level detail.
What does a curator do?
Curators administer collections, such as artwork and historical items, and may conduct public service activities for an institution. The median pay is $63,420 per year (BLS, May 2025), most people train for about 2 years after a bachelor’s plus experience, and employment is projected to grow +4.9% from 2025–35.
Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026
- Median pay$63,420$30.49/hour · May 2025
- Job growth+4.9%2025–35, about as fast as average
- Openings per year1,600Average, 2025–35
- Typical entry educationMaster's degreeBLS classification
- Time to train2 years after a bachelor’s plus experienceTypical program length
- U.S. jobs14,200Employment, 2025
What curators do
Curators shape what museums show. They research objects, recommend acquisitions, plan exhibitions, write labels and catalogs, work with donors and lenders, and give talks to the public.
A master’s degree in art history, history or museum studies is typical. BLS projects about average growth; jobs are competitive.
Typical duties
- Research collections
- Recommend acquisitions
- Plan exhibitions
- Write labels and catalogs
- Work with donors
- Coordinate loans
- Give public talks
Work environment and schedule
Curators work in museums, galleries and historic sites.
Schedule: Full time, with evening events.
A day in the life
- Research an object’s provenance.
- Meet the design team on an exhibit.
- Lunch with a donor.
- Write exhibit labels.
See a full day in the life of a curator →
Curator salary
Half of curators earned more than $63,420 and half earned less in May 2025. Pay ranged from about $40,470 for the lowest 10% to $107,140 for the top 10%.
Full curator pay scale and hourly rates →
How to become a curator
- Earn a bachelor’s
- Intern at museums
- Earn a master’s
- Work as an assistant curator
- Advance
A master’s degree in art history, history, anthropology or museum studies is typical.
Step-by-step guide to becoming a curator →
Skills and tools
Technical skills
- Research
- Exhibition planning
- Writing
- Collections care
- Provenance research
People skills
- Storytelling
- Curiosity
- Relationship building
- Organization
All curator skills and tools →
Pros and cons
Pros
- Work with art and history
- Creative exhibitions
- Scholarship
- Public impact
Cons
- Competitive jobs
- Grad degree needed
- Modest pay at small museums
- Fundraising pressure
Certifications and licenses
- Master’s: Typical.
- Ph.D.: For large museums.
- Museum studies certificate: Helpful.
- AAM training: American Alliance of Museums.
Career path
- Curatorial Assistant: Entry.
- Assistant Curator: Projects.
- Curator: Lead exhibitions.
- Chief Curator: Lead programs.
Learn the job before day one
Our Curator training (10 hours, $89.99) covers the role, 15+ key terms, step-by-step procedures such as plan a museum exhibition and research an object’s provenance, safety and how to land your first job.
Related careers
Archivist
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Historian
Research and interpret the past for governments, museums and the public.
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Art, Drama and Music Professor
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Compare: Curator vs. Museum Technician · Curator vs. Archivist · Curator vs. Historian · Curator vs. Art Professor
Curator FAQ
Do curators need a master’s?
Usually.
Are curator jobs competitive?
Yes.
Do curators fundraise?
Often, especially at smaller museums.
How much does a curator make?
The median annual wage for curators was $63,420 ($30.49 per hour) in May 2025, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The lowest 10% earned less than $40,470 and the highest 10% earned more than $107,140.
How long does it take to become a curator?
Most people need about 2 years after a bachelor’s plus experience of training. A master’s degree in art history, history, anthropology or museum studies is typical.
Do you need a degree to be a curator?
Yes. BLS lists a master's degree as the typical entry-level education.
Sources
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025, SOC 25-4012 (Curators).
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS Employment Projections, Table 1.2 (2025–35).
- O*NET OnLine summary for Curators (U.S. Department of Labor).
- BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook.
Reviewed by the Career Education Institute Curriculum Team. Pay figures are national estimates; local pay varies. See our editorial policy.