Curator Salary in New York (2026)

Official state-level BLS pay data for Curators in New York, plus how it compares with the rest of the country.

Official BLS state wage data · Unknown vintage
New York Median
$79,120
per year
Hourly Rate
$38.04
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+25% vs US median
US median $63,420
State Rank
#3 of 49
1,330 employed here

How much does a Curator make in New York?

A Curator working in New York earns a median salary of $79,120 per year, or about $38.04 per hour. That is 25% above the national median of $63,420 for this occupation.

Within New York, entry-level pay starts around $46,060 while the top 10% make $148,580 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $58,340 and $103,240 a year.

Curator salary range in New York

Pay levelAnnual salaryHourly rate
10th percentile (entry level)$46,060$22.14
25th percentile (early career)$58,340$28.05
50th percentile (median)$79,120$38.04
75th percentile (experienced)$103,240$49.63
90th percentile (top earners)$148,580$71.43

How New York compares

New York ranks 3rd out of 49 states and territories for Curator pay. The top 5 best-paying states:

RankStateMedian salary
1District of Columbia$93,310
2New Hampshire$82,490
3New York$79,120
4California$78,740
5Rhode Island$77,930

Working as a Curator in New York

Nationally, about 12,000 people work as Curators in the United States. A bachelor's degree (about 4 years of college) is the standard entry requirement.

Considering a move? Compare New York pay ($79,120) against the highest-paying state above, and weigh the difference against housing and everyday costs — a smaller paycheck in a cheaper state can stretch further.

Frequently asked questions

How much does a Curator make in New York?
The median Curator salary in New York is $79,120 per year, or about $38.04 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $46,060 at the entry level to $148,580 for the top 10% of earners.
How does New York pay compare to the national average?
New York pays Curators about 25% more than the national median of $63,420. New York ranks 3rd out of 49 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is New York a good state for Curators?
Yes on pay — New York pays above the national median for this occupation, at $79,120 a year. About 1,330 Curators are employed in New York. Weigh that against local housing and living costs before moving.
What are the highest-paying jobs in New York?
The highest-paying occupations in New York include Cardiologist ($492,040), Anesthesiologist ($445,660), Radiologist ($441,580), based on median annual pay in official BLS state estimates.

← See the national Curator salary report

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Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), Unknown vintage. Education requirements: O*NET (U.S. Department of Labor). State figures are official BLS state-level wage estimates. Where BLS suppresses a state percentile, it is scaled from the official national distribution. Individual pay varies by employer, metro area, and experience.