Curator salary in Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH
Curators in the Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH metro area earn a median of $78,720 a year ($37.85 an hour), based on BLS data for 220 workers.
Pay ranges from $45,630 for the lowest-paid 10% to $133,330 for the top 10%. That is 24% higher than the national median of $63,420. Pay here is 1% higher than the Massachusetts statewide median of $77,790. There are 0.08 curators per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $83,850, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for curators in Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $45,630 | $21.94 |
| 25th percentile | $60,490 | $29.08 |
| Median | $78,720 | $37.85 |
| 75th percentile | $100,050 | $48.10 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $133,330 | $64.10 |
| Average (mean) | $83,850 | $40.31 |
Half of curators earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $6,560 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,280 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,027.69 |
| Weekly | $1,513.85 |
| Hourly | $37.85 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Curator salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Amherst Town-Northampton, MA | $79,380 | n/a |
| Worcester, MA | $78,450 | 30 |
| Providence-Warwick, RI-MA | $77,670 | 90 |
| Pittsfield, MA | $76,850 | 40 |
Highest-paying states for curators
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $93,310 |
| New Hampshire | $82,490 |
| New York | $79,120 |
| California | $78,740 |
| Rhode Island | $77,930 |
| New Jersey | $77,800 |
| Massachusetts | $77,790 |
| Connecticut | $76,510 |
| South Dakota | $74,990 |
| Washington | $74,030 |
See Curator pay in every state or the Massachusetts statewide figures.
Related jobs in Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Librarians and Media Collections Specialists | $79,450 | $38.20 |
| Library Technician | $57,330 | $27.56 |
| Museum Technicians and Conservators | $58,530 | $28.14 |
| Archivist | $78,220 | $37.61 |
| Teaching Assistants, Except Postsecondary | $40,930 | — |
| Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education | $98,850 | — |
| Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education | $98,060 | — |
| Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education | $46,030 | $22.13 |
| Middle School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education | $94,170 | — |
| Self-Enrichment Teacher | $50,250 | $24.16 |
| Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary | $164,450 | — |
| Substitute Teachers, Short-Term | $42,080 | $20.23 |
| Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten and Elementary School | $97,410 | — |
| Instructional Coordinator | $98,370 | $47.29 |
More: Educational Instruction and Library Occupations · all salaries in Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 25-4012. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a curator make in Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH?
The median salary for curators in the Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH metro area is $78,720 a year, or $37.85 an hour. Pay ranges from $45,630 for the lowest-paid 10% to $133,330 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid curators make in Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH?
The top 10% of curators in the Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH metro area earn at least $133,330 a year. The top 25% earn $100,050 or more.
What is the starting pay for curators in Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $45,630 a year, and a quarter of curators earn $60,490 or less.
How many curators work in Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH?
About 220 curators are employed in the Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH metro area, not counting the self-employed.