How much does an Assistant Curator- Museum make in the United States?
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The average Assistant Curator- Museum salary in the United States is $59,027 as of January 01, 2026. The range for our most popular Assistant Curator- Museum positions (listed below) typically falls between $48,666 and $69,387. Keep in mind that salary ranges can vary widely depending on many important factors, including position, education, certifications, additional skills, and the number of years you have spent in your profession. With more online, real-time compensation data than any other website, Salary.com helps you determine your exact pay target.
Assistant Curator- Museum's Annual Base Salary
| Job Title | Salary | Hourly Rate | Location | Date Updated |
| Museum Assistant | $66,736 | $32.08 | United States | January 01, 2026 |
| Museum Collections Assistant | $39,961 | $19.21 | United States | January 01, 2026 |
| Assistant Museum Curator | $72,068 | $34.65 | United States | January 01, 2026 |
| Assistant Museum Director | $55,279 | $26.58 | United States | January 01, 2026 |
| Assistant Registrar/Museum | $69,693 | $33.51 | United States | January 01, 2026 |
| Museum Curator | $65,586 | $31.53 | United States | January 01, 2026 |
| Museum Research Worker | $61,286 | $29.46 | United States | January 01, 2026 |
| Museum Director | $103,700 | $49.86 | United States | January 01, 2026 |
| Museum Coordinator | $69,709 | $33.51 | United States | January 01, 2026 |
| Museum Registrar | $116,373 | $55.95 | United States | January 01, 2026 |
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Museum Curator is responsible for the management, preservation, and enhancement of museum collections. Determines the level of care for the museum's entire collection. Being a Museum Curator evaluates and catalogs new collections according to established procedures. Maintains the environment and security of the collection storage. Additionally, Museum Curator contacts benefactors and writes grant proposals to increase museum funding. Typically requires a master's degree. Typically reports to a director. The Museum Curator manages subordinate staff in the day-to-day performance of their jobs. True first level manager. Ensures that project/department milestones/goals are met and adhering to approved budgets. Has full authority for personnel actions. To be a Museum Curator typically requires 5 years experience in the related area as an individual contributor. 1-3 years supervisory experience may be required. Extensive knowledge of the function and department processes. View Museum Curator SalaryAlternate Job Titles:Museum Collections Curator
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Museum Research Worker plans, organizes and conducts research in scientific, cultural, historical, or artistic fields for use in projects of sponsoring institution. May require a bachelor's degree in a related area and 2-4 years of experience. Being a Museum Research Worker is familiar with standard concepts, practices, and procedures within a particular field. Relies on experience and judgment to plan and accomplish goals. Additionally, Museum Research Worker performs a variety of complicated tasks. Typically reports to the head of a unit/department. A wide degree of creativity and latitude is expected. View Museum Research Worker SalaryCategory : Arts and Entertainment
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The Museum Director recommends and implements policies and procedures related to museum operations, collections, and visitor experience. Responsible for overseeing the daily operations of a museum. Being a Museum Director monitors the communications, promotions, and public relations for the museum. Oversees the planning, acquisition, storage, and exhibition of collections and related materials. In addition, Museum Director typically requires a master's degree. Typically reports to senior management. The Museum Director manages a departmental sub-function within a broader departmental function. Creates functional strategies and specific objectives for the sub-function and develops budgets/policies/procedures to support the functional infrastructure. Working as a Museum Director typically requires 5+ years of managerial experience. Deep knowledge of the managed sub-function and solid knowledge of the overall departmental function. View Museum Director SalaryAlternate Job Titles:Museum Operations Director
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A registrar (museum) is responsible for implementing policies and procedures that relate to caring for collections of cultural institutions like archives, libraries, and museums. These policies are found in the museum's collections policy, the guiding tenet of the museum explaining why the institution is in operation, dictating the museum's professional standards regarding the objects left in its care. Registrars focus on sections that include acquisitions, loans, exhibitions, deaccessions, storage, packing and shipping, security of objects in transit, insurance policies, and risk management. As a collections care professional, they work with collection managers, conservators, and curators to balance public access to objects with the conditions needed to maintain preservation. Focusing on documentation, registrars are responsible for developing and maintaining records management systems, with individual files for each object in the collection. Smaller and mid-sized institutions may combine the role of registrar with that of collections manager, while large institutions often have multiple registrars, each overseeing a different curatorial department. View Museum Registrar Salary