Curator salary in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA
Curators in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area earn a median of $48,600 a year ($23.36 an hour), based on BLS data for 40 workers.
Pay ranges from $35,410 for the lowest-paid 10% to $98,600 for the top 10%. That is 23% lower than the national median of $63,420. Pay here is 10% lower than the Iowa statewide median of $53,830. There are 0.10 curators per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.3× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $59,370, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for curators in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $35,410 | $17.03 |
| 25th percentile | $43,960 | $21.14 |
| Median | $48,600 | $23.36 |
| 75th percentile | $75,870 | $36.48 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $98,600 | $47.41 |
| Average (mean) | $59,370 | $28.55 |
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 | $4,050 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,025 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,869.23 |
| Weekly | $934.62 |
| Hourly | $23.36 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Omaha, NE-IA | $77,460 | 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 Iowa statewide figures.
Related jobs in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Library Technician | $46,840 | $22.52 |
| Librarians and Media Collections Specialists | $75,960 | $36.52 |
| Museum Technicians and Conservators | $68,960 | $33.16 |
| Teaching Assistants, Except Postsecondary | $34,620 | — |
| Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education | $61,650 | — |
| Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education | $62,480 | — |
| Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education | $33,850 | $16.27 |
| Substitute Teachers, Short-Term | $37,750 | $18.15 |
| Middle School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education | $60,980 | — |
| Self-Enrichment Teacher | $34,880 | $16.77 |
| Instructional Coordinator | $76,600 | $36.83 |
| Special Education Teachers, Secondary School | $60,310 | — |
| Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten and Elementary School | $59,780 | — |
| Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary | $102,220 | — |
More: Educational Instruction and Library Occupations · all salaries in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA
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 Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA?
The median salary for curators in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area is $48,600 a year, or $23.36 an hour. Pay ranges from $35,410 for the lowest-paid 10% to $98,600 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid curators make in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA?
The top 10% of curators in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area earn at least $98,600 a year. The top 25% earn $75,870 or more.
What is the starting pay for curators in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $35,410 a year, and a quarter of curators earn $43,960 or less.
How many curators work in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA?
About 40 curators are employed in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area, not counting the self-employed.