Curators
SOC Code: 25-4012Also known as:
Art Curator, Art Handler, Coin Collector, Collections Curator, Collections Manager
Median Annual Salary
$61,770
+7.0% growth (2024-2034)
2K
Openings/Year
15K
Current Jobs
What Curators Do
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.
💰 Salary
$61,770
Median annual wage (2024)
📈 Job Growth
+7.0%
Faster than average
🎓 Education
Master's degree
Typical entry-level requirement
🚀 Annual Openings
2K
Projected average per year
Employment Projections (2024-2034)
Current Employment (2024)
15,100
Projected Employment (2034)
16,200
Related Careers
Historians
$74,050 •
+2.2% growth
Anthropology and archeology teachers, postsecondary
$95,770 •
+2.7% growth
Archivists
$61,570 •
+3.8% growth
Museum technicians and conservators
$47,460 •
+5.4% growth
Librarians and media collections specialists
$64,320 •
+1.7% growth
Top Skills Required
Reading Comprehension
Speaking
Active Listening
Writing
Critical Thinking
Daily Tasks & Responsibilities
- 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.
- Negotiate and authorize purchase, sale, exchange, or loan of collections.
- Study, examine, and test acquisitions to authenticate their origin, composition, history, and to assess their current value.
- Inspect premises to assess the need for repairs and to ensure that climate and pest control issues are addressed.
- Write and review grant proposals, journal articles, institutional reports, and publicity materials.
- Design, organize, or conduct tours, workshops, and instructional or educational sessions to acquaint individuals with an institution's facilities and materials.
- Attend meetings, conventions, and civic events to promote use of institution's services, to seek financing, and to maintain community alliances.
Technology & Tools
📚 Entry-Level Education
Master's degree
Most common requirement
🎯 Recommended Education
Master's Degree
O*NET recommended level
Degree Programs for Curators
These degree programs can prepare you for a career as a curators:
Art History, Criticism and Conservation
3,557 degrees awarded •
351 colleges offer this program
Museology/Museum Studies
838 degrees awarded •
77 colleges offer this program
Public/Applied History
743 degrees awarded •
54 colleges offer this program
Digital Humanities
126 degrees awarded •
14 colleges offer this program
Best Colleges for Becoming a Curators
Ranked by Repit grade, then by degrees in related programs. These are the top-rated colleges that prepare students to become curators.
| # | College | Location | Related Degrees | Repit Grade |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | University of California-Los Angeles | Los Angeles, CA | 62 | A+ |
| 2 | University of Michigan-Ann Arbor | Ann Arbor, MI | 39 | A+ |
| 3 | New York University | New York, NY | 150 | A |
| 4 | Harvard University | Cambridge, MA | 117 | A |
| 5 | Johns Hopkins University | Baltimore, MD | 109 | A |
| 6 | Columbia University in the City of New York | New York, NY | 75 | A |
| 7 | The University of Texas at Austin | Austin, TX | 64 | A |
| 8 | Yale University | New Haven, CT | 53 | A |
| 9 | University of California-Berkeley | Berkeley, CA | 49 | A |
| 10 | University of Georgia | Athens, GA | 47 | A |
| 11 | Boston University | Boston, MA | 43 | A |
| 12 | University of California-Santa Barbara | Santa Barbara, CA | 42 | A |
| 13 | University of Chicago | Chicago, IL | 34 | A |
| 14 | Tufts University | Medford, MA | 32 | A |
| 15 | Princeton University | Princeton, NJ | 28 | A |
| 16 | Brown University | Providence, RI | 27 | A |
| 17 | University of Southern California | Los Angeles, CA | 23 | A |
| 18 | University of Pennsylvania | Philadelphia, PA | 23 | A |
| 19 | Rice University | Houston, TX | 21 | A |
| 20 | University of Florida | Gainesville, FL | 21 | A |
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Frequently Asked Questions
How much do curators make?
The median annual salary for curators is $61,770.
What education do curators need?
Most curators positions require a master's degree.
Common degree programs include Art History, Criticism and Conservation, Museology/Museum Studies, Public/Applied History.
Is becoming curators a good career choice?
Curators is projected to see +7.0% job growth from 2024 to 2034,
which is faster than average for all occupations. With approximately 1,800 job openings expected annually,
there are good opportunities for those entering the field.
What are the best colleges for curators?
Top colleges for aspiring curators include
University of California-Los Angeles, University of Michigan-Ann Arbor, New York University, Harvard University, Johns Hopkins University.
These schools are ranked based on their Repit grade and the number of graduates in related programs.
What other job titles are similar to curators?
Curators may also be known as: Art Curator, Art Handler, Coin Collector, Collections Curator, Collections Manager, Content Curator, Curator, Data Curator, Digital Curator, Education Curator, Educational Institution Curator, Educational Resource Coordinator, Exhibitions Curator, Exhibits Curator, Field Collector, Herbarium Curator, Metadata Curator, Museum Coordinator, Museum Curator, Museum Manager.
These titles often refer to similar roles with varying responsibilities or specializations.