Curator salary in Colorado
Curators in Colorado earn a median of $73,630 a year ($35.40 an hour), based on BLS data for 300 workers.
Pay ranges from $51,940 for the lowest-paid 10% to $104,530 for the top 10%. That is 16% higher than the national median of $63,420. Colorado ranks 11th of 49 states for curators pay. There are 0.10 curators per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.3× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $76,150, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for curators in Colorado
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $51,940 | $24.97 |
| 25th percentile | $60,460 | $29.07 |
| Median | $73,630 | $35.40 |
| 75th percentile | $88,740 | $42.66 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $104,530 | $50.26 |
| Average (mean) | $76,150 | $36.61 |
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 | $6,135.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,067.92 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,831.92 |
| Weekly | $1,415.96 |
| Hourly | $35.40 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Curator salary in cities in Colorado
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO | $77,700 | 180 |
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 |
Related jobs in Colorado
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Library Technician | $46,680 | $22.44 |
| Librarians and Media Collections Specialists | $76,480 | $36.77 |
| Museum Technicians and Conservators | $51,990 | $25.00 |
| Archivist | $59,210 | $28.47 |
| Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education | $63,410 | — |
| Teaching Assistants, Except Postsecondary | $35,760 | — |
| Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education | $72,900 | — |
| Middle School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education | $63,760 | — |
| Self-Enrichment Teacher | $44,710 | $21.50 |
| Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary | $136,930 | — |
| Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education | $45,500 | $21.87 |
| Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten and Elementary School | $74,290 | — |
| Educational Instruction and Library Workers, All Other | $64,090 | $30.81 |
| Instructional Coordinator | $82,160 | $39.50 |
More: Educational Instruction and Library Occupations · all salaries in Colorado
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 Colorado?
The median salary for curators in Colorado is $73,630 a year, or $35.40 an hour. Pay ranges from $51,940 for the lowest-paid 10% to $104,530 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid curators make in Colorado?
The top 10% of curators in Colorado earn at least $104,530 a year. The top 25% earn $88,740 or more.
What is the starting pay for curators in Colorado?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $51,940 a year, and a quarter of curators earn $60,460 or less.
How many curators work in Colorado?
About 300 curators are employed in Colorado, not counting the self-employed.