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.

$57,100
Median Annual Pay
Jobs growth:
+6% projected 2024–2034

What They Do

Curators oversee and manage collections of objects that hold cultural, historical, artistic, or scientific significance. They acquire new pieces through purchases, donations, or loans, carefully evaluating each item's authenticity, condition, and relevance to their institution's mission. Much of their time goes into researching objects in their care, documenting their provenance, and organizing them into meaningful exhibitions that tell compelling stories to the public. They write labels, catalogs, and educational materials that help visitors understand and appreciate what they're viewing.

Programs That Prepare You

College programs linked to this occupation, ranked by graduate earnings

Museology/Museum Studies(masters)Fashion Institute of Technology, NY
$48,369
Museology/Museum Studies(masters)University of the Arts, PA
$46,528
Museology/Museum Studies(masters)Harvard University, MA
$44,792
Museology/Museum Studies(masters)George Washington University, DC
$42,498
Museology/Museum Studies(masters)Johns Hopkins University, MD
$41,463
Museology/Museum Studies(masters)Georgetown University, DC
$41,215
Museology/Museum Studies(masters)Marist University, NY
$40,063
Museology/Museum Studies(masters)Long Island University, NY
$40,063
Museology/Museum Studies(masters)New York University, NY
$40,063
Museology/Museum Studies(masters)St. John's University-New York, NY
$40,063
Museology/Museum Studies(masters)SUNY Buffalo State University, NY
$40,063
Museology/Museum Studies(masters)SUNY Oneonta, NY
$40,063
Museology/Museum Studies(masters)CUNY Graduate School and University Center, NY
$40,063
Museology/Museum Studies(masters)School of Visual Arts, NY
$40,063
Museology/Museum Studies(grad-cert)University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, WI
$37,453
Museology/Museum Studies(masters)University of Kansas, KS
$36,232
Museology/Museum Studies(masters)Baylor University, TX
$36,232
Museology/Museum Studies(masters)Brigham Young University, UT
$36,232
Museology/Museum Studies(masters)Brown University, RI
$36,232
Museology/Museum Studies(masters)California College of the Arts, CA
$36,232
Museology/Museum Studies(masters)Cleveland State University, OH
$36,232
Museology/Museum Studies(masters)Drexel University, PA
$36,232
Museology/Museum Studies(masters)Eastern Michigan University, MI
$36,232
Museology/Museum Studies(masters)Morgan State University, MD
$36,232
Museology/Museum Studies(masters)New Mexico State University-Main Campus, NM
$36,232

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