All About Curators

Job Description & Duties 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.

List of Curator Job Duties

• Develop and maintain an institution’s registration, cataloging, and basic record-keeping systems, using computer databases.
• Schedule events and organize details, including refreshment, entertainment, decorations, and the collection of any fees.
• Confer with the board of directors to formulate and interpret policies, to determine budget requirements, and to plan overall operations.
• 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.
• 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.

Curator Required Skills

These are the skills Curators say are the most useful in their careers:

Reading Comprehension: Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.

Speaking: Talking to others to convey information effectively.

Active Listening: Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.

Writing: Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.

Critical Thinking: Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.

Other Curator Job Titles

• Curator
• Content Curator
• Exhibits Curator
• Gallery Director
• Natural Science Curator

Job Demand for Curators

In 2016, there was an estimated number of 12,400 jobs in the United States for Curators.

New jobs are being produced at a rate of 14% which is lower than average. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts 1,700 new jobs for Curators by 2026. There will be an estimated 1,500 positions for Curator per year.

The states with the most job growth for Curators are New York, California, and Colorado.

Watch out if you plan on working in Mississippi, Maine, or Idaho. These states have the worst job growth for this type of profession.

What is the Average Salary of a Curator

The average yearly salary of a Curator ranges between $29,010 and $94,330. The median salary for this occupation is $53,780.

How much do Curators make in each U.S. state?

Annual Mean Salary by State

State	Annual Mean Salary
District of Columbia	$86,080
New Jersey	$75,750
New York	$73,850
Massachusetts	$68,240
California	$67,650
Connecticut	$67,430
Alaska	$66,070
Washington	$65,790
Virginia	$63,140
Rhode Island	$63,030
Maryland	$62,370
Missouri	$62,240
Colorado	$62,090
Vermont	$58,840
Delaware	$58,740
Hawaii	$58,550
Arizona	$57,280
Ohio	$57,220
Texas	$57,150
Nevada	$56,580
Illinois	$56,420
Minnesota	$55,740
Alabama	$54,900
Pennsylvania	$53,840
New Mexico	$52,880
Maine	$52,270
Kentucky	$51,230
Arkansas	$50,920
Kansas	$50,630
Wisconsin	$50,610
Michigan	$50,530
South Dakota	$50,100
Tennessee	$49,920
Oregon	$49,850
New Hampshire	$49,630
South Carolina	$49,380
North Dakota	$49,160
Utah	$48,320
North Carolina	$47,200
Oklahoma	$46,840
Nebraska	$46,740
Florida	$46,570
Georgia	$46,380
Iowa	$45,900
Indiana	$45,560
Wyoming	$44,750
Mississippi	$44,240
Montana	$42,700
Louisiana	$42,190
Idaho	$34,580

Tools & Technologies Used by Curators

Below is a list of the types of tools and technologies that Curators may use on a daily basis:

• Microsoft Access
• Autodesk AutoCAD
• Microsoft Excel
• Microsoft Visual Studio
• Microsoft Word
• Microsoft Outlook
• Adobe Systems Adobe InDesign
• Microsoft Office
• Microsoft PowerPoint
• Adobe Systems Adobe Photoshop

How to Become a Curator

Individuals working as Curators have obtained the following education levels:

How many years of work experience do I need?

Who Employs Curators?

Other Jobs You May be Interested In

Those interested in being a Curator may also be interested in:

• Copy Writers

Are you already one of the many Curators in the United States? If you’re thinking about changing careers, these fields are worth exploring:

• Anthropologists

References

Bureau of Labor Statistics

College Factual

O*NET Online

Image Credit: Via Wikimedia Commons