Curator Salary in Washington (2026)

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

Official BLS state wage data · Unknown vintage
Washington Median
$74,030
per year
Hourly Rate
$35.59
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+17% vs US median
US median $63,420
State Rank
#10 of 49
260 employed here

How much does a Curator make in Washington?

A Curator working in Washington earns a median salary of $74,030 per year, or about $35.59 per hour. That is 17% above the national median of $63,420 for this occupation.

Within Washington, entry-level pay starts around $45,720 while the top 10% make $119,220 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $58,740 and $93,090 a year.

Curator salary range in Washington

Pay levelAnnual salaryHourly rate
10th percentile (entry level)$45,720$21.98
25th percentile (early career)$58,740$28.24
50th percentile (median)$74,030$35.59
75th percentile (experienced)$93,090$44.75
90th percentile (top earners)$119,220$57.32

How Washington compares

Washington ranks 10th 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 Washington

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 Washington pay ($74,030) 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 Washington?
The median Curator salary in Washington is $74,030 per year, or about $35.59 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $45,720 at the entry level to $119,220 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Washington pay compare to the national average?
Washington pays Curators about 17% more than the national median of $63,420. Washington ranks 10th out of 49 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Washington a good state for Curators?
Yes on pay — Washington pays above the national median for this occupation, at $74,030 a year. About 260 Curators are employed in Washington. Weigh that against local housing and living costs before moving.
What are the highest-paying jobs in Washington?
The highest-paying occupations in Washington include Cardiologist ($656,330), Orthopedic Surgeon, Except Pediatric ($553,310), Dermatologist ($526,170), 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.