Curator Salary in Tennessee (2026)

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

Official BLS state wage data · Unknown vintage
Tennessee Median
$57,580
per year
Hourly Rate
$27.68
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-9% vs US median
US median $63,420
State Rank
#35 of 49
190 employed here

How much does a Curator make in Tennessee?

A Curator working in Tennessee earns a median salary of $57,580 per year, or about $27.68 per hour. That is 9% below the national median of $63,420 for this occupation.

Within Tennessee, entry-level pay starts around $32,960 while the top 10% make $89,130 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $46,530 and $76,690 a year.

Curator salary range in Tennessee

Pay levelAnnual salaryHourly rate
10th percentile (entry level)$32,960$15.85
25th percentile (early career)$46,530$22.37
50th percentile (median)$57,580$27.68
75th percentile (experienced)$76,690$36.87
90th percentile (top earners)$89,130$42.85

How Tennessee compares

Tennessee ranks 35th 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 Tennessee

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 Tennessee pay ($57,580) 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 Tennessee?
The median Curator salary in Tennessee is $57,580 per year, or about $27.68 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $32,960 at the entry level to $89,130 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Tennessee pay compare to the national average?
Tennessee pays Curators about 9% less than the national median of $63,420. Tennessee ranks 35th out of 49 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Tennessee a good state for Curators?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $57,580 a year. About 190 Curators are employed in Tennessee. A lower cost of living can offset the smaller paycheck, so compare take-home value, not just salary.
What are the highest-paying jobs in Tennessee?
The highest-paying occupations in Tennessee include Cardiologist ($610,080), Dermatologist ($433,630), Surgeon, All Other ($373,510), 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.