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.
Curators
SOC: 25-4012 O*NET: 25-4012.00
Median Salary
$61,770
per year
Job Growth
📈 7%
Faster (2024-2034)
Annual Openings
1.8
projected jobs/year
Education Level
Bachelor's degree plus work experience, or graduate degree
Job Zone 5
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.
What does a Curators do?
How much can you earn?
Entry Level
$37,110
10th percentile
Early Career
$47,270
25th percentile
Median
$61,770
50th percentile
Experienced
$81,350
75th percentile
Top Earners
$105,520
90th percentile
National Salary Distribution
10th
$37,110
25th
$47,270
Middle 50%
MEDIAN
$61,770
Mean: $70,060
75th
$81,350
90th
$105,520
Middle 50% of earners
Median salary
Mean (average)
Key Insights
- •Salary range spans $68,410 from entry level to top earners
- •Middle 50% earn between $47,270 and $81,350
- •Salary spread is 55.2% around the median, showing high variation
- •Total national employment: 12,280 professionals
What's the job outlook?
Job Market Intelligence
Medium Demand
Market demand
Medium Risk
Automation risk
Current Employment
National Employment:15,100
Top Industries
Museums, Historical Sites, and Similar Institutions56%
Museums, Historical Sites, and Similar Institutions56%
Educational Services7.5%
10-Year Outlook
Growth Rate:+7%
Annual Openings:1,800
Employment Projections
2024 (Current)15,100
Current
2034 (Projected)16,200
+7%
+1,100
Employment Change
+7%
Growth Rate
10
Year Projection
Growth Category: As fast as average
Geographic Salary & Employment Data
Explore where Curators professionals work across the United States
Showing 15 of 49 locations
New York
1,270 jobs$78,7601.67x
California
1,180 jobs$78,7100.82x
Texas
610 jobs$59,0300.55x
Pennsylvania
590 jobs$63,6001.22x
Illinois
570 jobs$60,8501.17x
North Carolina
570 jobs$50,2201.45x
Florida
510 jobs$55,5600.66x
Massachusetts
440 jobs$75,9801.53x
Virginia
440 jobs$60,0201.37x
Michigan
360 jobs$64,0301.03x
Colorado
340 jobs$70,1001.47x
Ohio
320 jobs$58,8900.73x
Washington
260 jobs$66,1600.92x
Wisconsin
250 jobs$61,5601.08x
Georgia
240 jobs$50,9000.62x
Understanding the Data
Location Quotient (LQ):
- • LQ > 1.0: More jobs than national average
- • LQ = 1.0: Same as national average
- • LQ < 1.0: Fewer jobs than national average
Data Source:
Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2024
Key Growth Factors
- •Average growth expected
What skills do you need?
Top 10 Most Important Skills
#1
Reading Comprehension
100%
#2
Speaking
94%
#3
Writing
86%
#4
Active Listening
80%
#5
Critical Thinking
74%
#6
Complex Problem Solving
66%
#7
Judgment and Decision Making
60%
#8
Active Learning
54%
#9
Systems Analysis
46%
#10
Monitoring
40%
Skills Overview
Reading Comprehension
advanced5.0
100%
Speaking
advanced4.7
94%
Writing
intermediate4.3
86%
Active Listening
intermediate4.0
80%
Critical Thinking
intermediate3.7
74%
Complex Problem Solving
advanced3.3
66%
Judgment and Decision Making
intermediate3.0
60%
Active Learning
basic2.7
54%
Skills are rated on a scale of 0-5, with 5 being the most important. The complexity level indicates how advanced the skill typically needs to be.
Filter:
Sort by:
Reading Comprehension
advancedImportance100%
abilities
5.0/5.0
Speaking
advancedImportance94%
skills
4.7/5.0
Writing
intermediateImportance86%
skills
4.3/5.0
Active Listening
intermediateImportance80%
skills
4.0/5.0
Critical Thinking
intermediateImportance74%
abilities
3.7/5.0
Complex Problem Solving
advancedImportance66%
abilities
3.3/5.0
Judgment and Decision Making
intermediateImportance60%
abilities
3.0/5.0
Active Learning
basicImportance54%
abilities
2.7/5.0
Systems Analysis
basicImportance46%
skills
2.3/5.0
Monitoring
basicImportance40%
skills
2.0/5.0
Highly Transferable Skills
These skills are valuable across multiple career paths, making career transitions easier:
Radio Frequency Identification Device Specialists100%
5 shared skills
Information Security Analysts100%
5 shared skills
Search Marketing Strategists100%
5 shared skills
Administrative Law Judges, Adjudicators, and Hearing Officers82%
5 shared skills
Precision Agriculture Technicians82%
5 shared skills
Urologists82%
5 shared skills
Skills by Career Stage
Entry Level
Must Have:
- ✓Speaking
- ✓Writing
- ✓Active Listening
Learn on the Job:
- →Complex Problem Solving
- →Judgment and Decision Making
- →Active Learning
Mid Career
Expected:
- ✓Speaking
- ✓Writing
- ✓Active Listening
- ✓Reading Comprehension
Senior Level
Mastery Required:
- ★Speaking
- ★Writing
- ★Active Listening
- ★Reading Comprehension
- ★Critical Thinking
Skill Development Tips
- •Focus on developing the top 5 skills first - they have the highest impact on career success
- •Transferable skills open doors to related careers and provide flexibility
- •Balance technical skills with soft skills for well-rounded professional development
- •Entry-level positions prioritize foundational skills that can be built upon over time
What technology will you use?
Technology & Digital Skills
Essential technology proficiencies for Curators
Technology Intensity
Very High
Digital Literacy Requirements
This career requires expert digital literacy
1
Basic
2
Intermediate
3
Advanced
4
Expert
Key Digital Competencies:
Advanced software proficiencySystem architecture understandingAutomation and scriptingEmerging technology adaptationTechnical problem-solving
🔥
Hot Technologies in Demand
These technologies are currently trending and highly sought after in this field
SAS
🔥 Hot TechAutodesk AutoCAD
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Access
🔥 Hot TechAdobe InDesign
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Visual Studio
🔥 Hot TechAdobe Acrobat
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Outlook
🔥 Hot TechExtensible markup language XML
🔥 Hot TechAdobe Creative Cloud software
🔥 Hot TechAdobe Illustrator
🔥 Hot TechAdobe Photoshop
🔥 Hot TechPerl
🔥 Hot TechTechnology Stack
Technology Stack Overview
Key technologies used in this career
SAS
Autodesk AutoCAD
Microsoft Access
Adobe InDesign
Microsoft Visual Studio
Adobe Acrobat
Microsoft Outlook
Extensible markup language XML
Adobe Creative Cloud software
Adobe Illustrator
Adobe Photoshop
Perl
📚 Technology Learning Resources
Recommended Certifications
- •Vendor-specific software certifications
- •Industry-recognized technology credentials
- •Professional development courses
Online Learning Platforms
- •LinkedIn Learning - Comprehensive technology courses
- •Coursera - University-level programs
- •Udemy - Practical skills training
💡 Technology Skill Development Tips
- •Focus on mastering hot technologies first - they're currently most in-demand
- •Build a portfolio demonstrating your proficiency with key tools and software
- •Stay current through continuous learning - technology evolves rapidly
- •Consider vendor certifications to validate your skills to employers
What's the work environment like?
🏢
Location
MOSTLY INDOOR
💪
Physical Demand
HIGH
👥
Team Orientation
MOSTLY TEAM
🤝
Customer Interaction
FREQUENT
💡Is This Work Environment Right for You?
Consider these factors when evaluating if you'll thrive in this work environment:
- •Are you comfortable working in mostly indoor environments?
- •Can you meet high physical demands?
- •Do you enjoy mostly team team environments?
- •Are you comfortable working with safety protocols and protective equipment?
What are the key tasks?
Tasks & Responsibilities
15
Core Tasks
8
Daily Tasks
20
Work Activities
0
Emerging Tasks
Filter:
Sort by:
Planning & Development (5)General Responsibilities (6)Analysis & Evaluation (2)Management & Supervision (1)Documentation & Record-Keeping (1)
1
Develop and maintain an institution's registration, cataloging, and basic record-keeping systems, using computer databases.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Planning & Development100% perform100%
2
Provide information from the institution's holdings to other curators and to the public.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities97% perform98%
3
Inspect premises to assess the need for repairs and to ensure that climate and pest control issues are addressed.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Analysis & Evaluation94% perform96%
4
Train and supervise curatorial, fiscal, technical, research, and clerical staff, as well as volunteers or interns.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Management & Supervision91% perform94%
5
Negotiate and authorize purchase, sale, exchange, or loan of collections.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities88% perform92%
6
Plan and conduct special research projects in area of interest or expertise.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Planning & Development85% perform90%
7
Confer with the board of directors to formulate and interpret policies, to determine budget requirements, and to plan overall operations.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Planning & Development82% perform88%
8
Attend meetings, conventions, and civic events to promote use of institution's services, to seek financing, and to maintain community alliances.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Documentation & Record-Keeping79% perform86%
9
Schedule events and organize details, including refreshment, entertainment, decorations, and the collection of any fees.
🟡Weekly
Importance:
General Responsibilities76% perform84%
10
Write and review grant proposals, journal articles, institutional reports, and publicity materials.
🟡Weekly
Importance:
General Responsibilities73% perform82%
💡 Key Takeaways
- •Daily tasks focus primarily on planning & development activities
- •47% of tasks are performed by most workers in this occupation
- •Career advancement brings increased leadership and strategic responsibilities
What career paths are available?
Career Pathways
0
Advancement Opportunities
0
Lateral Move Options
0%
Avg. Salary Increase
Advancement Opportunities
Typical career progression paths from Curators
💡 Career Planning Tips
- •Most successful advancement happens after 3-5 years of experience
- •Lateral moves can provide valuable cross-functional experience for future leadership roles
- •Focus on developing skills that are transferable across multiple career paths
- •Consider industry trends when planning long-term career moves
Is this career right for you?
Personality & Values Fit
Is This Career Right for You?
Curators professionals typically have a CES Holland code and highly value independence
CConventional
EEnterprising
SSocial
Important Personality Traits
Work styles that contribute to success as a Curators
Attention to Detail
CriticalAttention to Detail
Importance Level4.70
Initiative
CriticalInitiative
Importance Level4.70
Integrity
CriticalIntegrity
Importance Level4.55
Dependability
Very ImportantDependability
Importance Level4.42
Cooperation
Very ImportantCooperation
Importance Level4.32
Leadership
Very ImportantLeadership
Importance Level4.31
Complete Work Styles Profile
Attention to Detail
4.7
Initiative
4.7
Integrity
4.5
Dependability
4.4
Cooperation
4.3
Leadership
4.3
Analytical Thinking
4.3
Persistence
4.2
Independence
4.2
Innovation
4.1
💡 Tips for Career Fit Success
- •While personality fit is important, skills can be developed with practice and training
- •Consider informational interviews to better understand the day-to-day personality requirements
- •Work environments vary by employer - research specific companies for cultural fit
- •Your interests and values may evolve - reassess periodically throughout your career
What education is required?
Education Level
Bachelor's degree plus work experience, or graduate degree
Typical duration: 4 years
Preparation Level
Job Zone 5
Extensive Preparation Needed
Experience Needed
Extensive skill, knowledge, and experience needed
📚 Education Requirement
Required Level:Bachelor's degree plus work experience, or graduate degree
Most of these occupations require graduate school. These may include master's, doctoral, or professional degrees.
Training:
Extensive training and work experience required
💼 Experience Requirement
Extensive skill, knowledge, and experience needed
Common pathways to gain experience:
- • Master's or doctoral degree
- • Extensive work experience in the field
- • State licensure or professional certification
5
Job Zone Five: Extensive Preparation Needed
Most of these occupations require graduate school. These may include master's, doctoral, or professional degrees.
Master's or doctoral degreeExtensive work experience in the fieldState licensure or professional certification
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