South Dakota Median
$74,990
per year
Hourly Rate
$36.05
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+18% vs US median
US median $63,420
State Rank
#9 of 49
50 employed here
How much does a Curator make in South Dakota?
Curators in South Dakota take home a median of $74,990 annually — roughly $36.05 an hour — which runs 18% above the national median of $63,420.
Within South Dakota, entry-level pay starts around $49,740 while the top 10% make $98,490 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $57,460 and $95,780 a year.
Curator salary range in South Dakota
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $49,740 | $23.91 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $57,460 | $27.63 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $74,990 | $36.05 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $95,780 | $46.05 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $98,490 | $47.35 |
|
How South Dakota compares
South Dakota ranks 9th out of 49 states and territories for Curator pay. The top 5 best-paying states:
Curator salary in other states
District of Columbia $93,310New Hampshire $82,490New York $79,120California $78,740Rhode Island $77,930New Jersey $77,800Massachusetts $77,790Connecticut $76,510Washington $74,030Colorado $73,630Nevada $69,900Wisconsin $64,370Alaska $63,880Maryland $63,750New Mexico $63,690Ohio $63,640Arizona $63,510Michigan $63,190Illinois $63,060Oregon $62,790Idaho $62,190Pennsylvania $62,100Wyoming $61,910Alabama $61,120Oklahoma $60,560Louisiana $60,080Texas $59,990Missouri $59,960Utah $59,910Florida $59,500Nebraska $58,600Virginia $58,200Georgia $57,810Tennessee $57,580Delaware $56,800Kansas $56,630Vermont $56,520Maine $56,470Kentucky $55,460Montana $54,460Minnesota $53,920Indiana $53,910Arkansas $53,870Iowa $53,830Hawaii $50,720North Carolina $49,470South Carolina $47,200Mississippi $40,600
Working as a Curator in South Dakota
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 South Dakota pay ($74,990) 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 South Dakota?
The median Curator salary in South Dakota is $74,990 per year, or about $36.05 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $49,740 at the entry level to $98,490 for the top 10% of earners.
How does South Dakota pay compare to the national average?
South Dakota pays Curators about 18% more than the national median of $63,420. South Dakota ranks 9th out of 49 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is South Dakota a good state for Curators?
Yes on pay — South Dakota pays above the national median for this occupation, at $74,990 a year. About 50 Curators are employed in South Dakota. Weigh that against local housing and living costs before moving.
What are the highest-paying jobs in South Dakota?
The highest-paying occupations in South Dakota include Radiologist ($586,010), Emergency Medicine Physician ($393,870), Obstetricians and Gynecologists ($297,610), 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.