Curator salary in Columbia, SC
Curators in the Columbia, SC metro area earn a median of $56,270 a year ($27.05 an hour), based on BLS data for 30 workers.
Pay ranges from $35,800 for the lowest-paid 10% to $76,520 for the top 10%. That is 11% lower than the national median of $63,420. Pay here is 19% higher than the South Carolina statewide median of $47,200. There are 0.09 curators per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $56,150, close to the median.
Pay range for curators in Columbia, SC
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $35,800 | $17.21 |
| 25th percentile | $42,440 | $20.40 |
| Median | $56,270 | $27.05 |
| 75th percentile | $61,700 | $29.67 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $76,520 | $36.79 |
| Average (mean) | $56,150 | $27.00 |
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 | $4,689.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,344.58 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,164.23 |
| Weekly | $1,082.12 |
| Hourly | $27.05 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | $53,100 | 50 |
| Charleston-North Charleston, SC | $47,200 | 30 |
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 South Carolina statewide figures.
Related jobs in Columbia, SC
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Librarians and Media Collections Specialists | $61,290 | $29.47 |
| Library Technician | $35,990 | $17.31 |
| Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education | $60,050 | — |
| Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education | $60,280 | — |
| Teaching Assistants, Except Postsecondary | $27,860 | — |
| Middle School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education | $59,400 | — |
| Instructional Coordinator | $61,640 | $29.64 |
| Self-Enrichment Teacher | $36,550 | $17.57 |
| Substitute Teachers, Short-Term | $39,250 | $18.87 |
| Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education | $31,510 | $15.15 |
| Postsecondary Teachers, All Other | $80,010 | — |
| Career/Technical Education Teachers, Postsecondary | $79,860 | $38.39 |
| Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary | $102,890 | — |
| Educational Instruction and Library Workers, All Other | $71,280 | $34.27 |
More: Educational Instruction and Library Occupations · all salaries in Columbia, SC
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 Columbia, SC?
The median salary for curators in the Columbia, SC metro area is $56,270 a year, or $27.05 an hour. Pay ranges from $35,800 for the lowest-paid 10% to $76,520 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid curators make in Columbia, SC?
The top 10% of curators in the Columbia, SC metro area earn at least $76,520 a year. The top 25% earn $61,700 or more.
What is the starting pay for curators in Columbia, SC?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $35,800 a year, and a quarter of curators earn $42,440 or less.
How many curators work in Columbia, SC?
About 30 curators are employed in the Columbia, SC metro area, not counting the self-employed.