Curator Salary in Virginia (2026)

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

Official BLS state wage data · Unknown vintage
Virginia Median
$58,200
per year
Hourly Rate
$27.98
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-8% vs US median
US median $63,420
State Rank
#33 of 49
450 employed here

How much does a Curator make in Virginia?

Curators in Virginia take home a median of $58,200 annually — roughly $27.98 an hour — which runs 8% below the national median of $63,420.

Within Virginia, entry-level pay starts around $38,550 while the top 10% make $107,910 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $44,410 and $79,500 a year.

Curator salary range in Virginia

Pay levelAnnual salaryHourly rate
10th percentile (entry level)$38,550$18.53
25th percentile (early career)$44,410$21.35
50th percentile (median)$58,200$27.98
75th percentile (experienced)$79,500$38.22
90th percentile (top earners)$107,910$51.88

How Virginia compares

Virginia ranks 33rd 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 Virginia

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 Virginia pay ($58,200) 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 Virginia?
The median Curator salary in Virginia is $58,200 per year, or about $27.98 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $38,550 at the entry level to $107,910 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Virginia pay compare to the national average?
Virginia pays Curators about 8% less than the national median of $63,420. Virginia ranks 33rd out of 49 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Virginia a good state for Curators?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $58,200 a year. About 450 Curators are employed in Virginia. 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 Virginia?
The highest-paying occupations in Virginia include Anesthesiologist ($488,310), Orthopedic Surgeon, Except Pediatric ($478,710), Cardiologist ($461,450), based on median annual pay in official BLS state estimates.

← See the national Curator salary report

Related salaries

Family and Consumer Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary

$75,870
median pay · 3,000 employed

Special Education Teacher, Secondary School

$74,260
median pay · 164,000 employed

Biological Science Teacher, Postsecondary

$84,620
median pay · 50,000 employed

Kindergarten Teacher, Except Special Education

$62,680
median pay · 109,000 employed

Teachers and Instructors, All Other

$66,140
median pay · 114,000 employed

Philosophy and Religion Teachers, Postsecondary

$80,260
median pay · 20,000 employed
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.