Curators pay in California
In California, the median pay for curators is $37.86 an hour ($78,740 a year). About 1,140 people work in this job there.
That is 24% higher than the U.S. median ($63,420). California ranks 4th of 49 states and territories for this job’s median pay.
Pay range for curators in California
| Earns more than | Hourly | Yearly |
|---|---|---|
| 10% of workers | $25.67 | $53,390 |
| 25% of workers | $31.96 | $66,480 |
| Half of workers (median) | $37.86 | $78,740 |
| 75% of workers | $47.80 | $99,430 |
| 90% of workers | $60.42 | $125,670 |
Curators pay in California metro areas
| Metro area | Median yearly pay | People in this job |
|---|---|---|
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont | $90,800 | 240 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom | $78,420 | 50 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim | $77,160 | 390 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad | $75,800 | 170 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario | $74,950 | 60 |
| Santa Maria-Santa Barbara | $71,380 | 30 |
California unemployment rate: 5.1% (August 2026), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Education, experience and outlook for curators
- Typical education to start: Master's degree (BLS)
- Related work experience most have: 4 to 6 years (O*NET)
- Job outlook: +4.9% over ten years, about as fast as average · about 1,600 openings a year (BLS)
Related jobs in California
| Job | Median yearly pay |
|---|---|
| Art Directors | $137,780 |
| Librarians and Media Collections Specialists | $89,790 |
| Set and Exhibit Designers | $105,030 |
| Anthropologists and Archeologists | $72,240 |
| Museum Technicians and Conservators | $61,550 |
| History Teachers, Postsecondary | $127,170 |
| Archivists | $70,530 |
| Anthropology and Archeology Teachers, Postsecondary | $128,370 |
Other job titles for this job
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Post a job freeFind jobsCheck pay for any jobSource: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 estimates. Figures are for wage and salary workers and do not include the self-employed. The median is the middle wage: half earn more, half earn less. Other job titles: O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), used under the CC BY 4.0 license; O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. JAI Bot has modified this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.