Curator salary in Columbus, OH
Curators in the Columbus, OH metro area earn a median of $72,780 a year ($34.99 an hour), based on BLS data for 50 workers.
Pay ranges from $31,990 for the lowest-paid 10% to $98,150 for the top 10%. That is 15% higher than the national median of $63,420. Pay here is 14% higher than the Ohio statewide median of $63,640. There are 0.05 curators per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.62). The average (mean) salary is $70,040, close to the median.
Pay range for curators in Columbus, OH
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $31,990 | $15.38 |
| 25th percentile | $48,230 | $23.19 |
| Median | $72,780 | $34.99 |
| 75th percentile | $84,590 | $40.67 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $98,150 | $47.19 |
| Average (mean) | $70,040 | $33.67 |
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 | $6,065 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,032.50 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,799.23 |
| Weekly | $1,399.62 |
| Hourly | $34.99 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Dayton-Kettering-Beavercreek, OH | $94,740 | 40 |
| Toledo, OH | $76,910 | 40 |
| Cleveland, OH | $71,850 | 100 |
| Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN | $70,740 | 80 |
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 Ohio statewide figures.
Related jobs in Columbus, OH
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Library Technician | $39,070 | $18.78 |
| Librarians and Media Collections Specialists | $65,120 | $31.31 |
| Museum Technicians and Conservators | $47,570 | $22.87 |
| Archivist | $59,730 | $28.72 |
| Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education | $78,150 | — |
| Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education | $81,400 | — |
| Teaching Assistants, Except Postsecondary | $35,900 | — |
| Middle School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education | $64,410 | — |
| Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education | $35,370 | $17.01 |
| Substitute Teachers, Short-Term | $37,940 | $18.24 |
| Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten and Elementary School | $75,710 | — |
| Special Education Teachers, Secondary School | $72,860 | — |
| Self-Enrichment Teacher | $36,870 | $17.73 |
| Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary | $79,060 | — |
More: Educational Instruction and Library Occupations · all salaries in Columbus, OH
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 Columbus, OH?
The median salary for curators in the Columbus, OH metro area is $72,780 a year, or $34.99 an hour. Pay ranges from $31,990 for the lowest-paid 10% to $98,150 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid curators make in Columbus, OH?
The top 10% of curators in the Columbus, OH metro area earn at least $98,150 a year. The top 25% earn $84,590 or more.
What is the starting pay for curators in Columbus, OH?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $31,990 a year, and a quarter of curators earn $48,230 or less.
How many curators work in Columbus, OH?
About 50 curators are employed in the Columbus, OH metro area, not counting the self-employed.