Curator salary in Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY
Curators in the Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY metro area earn a median of $55,290 a year ($26.58 an hour), based on BLS data for 60 workers.
Pay ranges from $38,290 for the lowest-paid 10% to $95,530 for the top 10%. That is 13% lower than the national median of $63,420. Pay here is 30% lower than the New York statewide median of $79,120. There are 0.11 curators per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.4× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $64,760, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for curators in Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $38,290 | $18.41 |
| 25th percentile | $49,230 | $23.67 |
| Median | $55,290 | $26.58 |
| 75th percentile | $77,150 | $37.09 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $95,530 | $45.93 |
| Average (mean) | $64,760 | $31.13 |
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 | $4,607.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,303.75 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,126.54 |
| Weekly | $1,063.27 |
| Hourly | $26.58 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | $83,110 | 970 |
| Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY | $82,640 | 80 |
| Kiryas Joel-Poughkeepsie-Newburgh, NY | $73,680 | 40 |
| Rochester, NY | $59,120 | 70 |
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 New York statewide figures.
Related jobs in Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Librarians and Media Collections Specialists | $67,090 | $32.26 |
| Library Technician | $54,360 | $26.14 |
| Teaching Assistants, Except Postsecondary | $35,670 | — |
| Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education | $76,490 | — |
| Substitute Teachers, Short-Term | $42,740 | $20.55 |
| Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education | $79,280 | — |
| Middle School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education | $89,950 | — |
| Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education | $37,990 | $18.26 |
| Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten and Elementary School | $71,570 | — |
| Self-Enrichment Teacher | $45,930 | $22.08 |
| Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary | $86,780 | — |
| Special Education Teachers, Secondary School | $73,570 | — |
| Special Education Teachers, Middle School | $72,530 | — |
| Instructional Coordinator | $73,720 | $35.44 |
More: Educational Instruction and Library Occupations · all salaries in Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY
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 Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY?
The median salary for curators in the Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY metro area is $55,290 a year, or $26.58 an hour. Pay ranges from $38,290 for the lowest-paid 10% to $95,530 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid curators make in Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY?
The top 10% of curators in the Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY metro area earn at least $95,530 a year. The top 25% earn $77,150 or more.
What is the starting pay for curators in Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $38,290 a year, and a quarter of curators earn $49,230 or less.
How many curators work in Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY?
About 60 curators are employed in the Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY metro area, not counting the self-employed.