Curator salary in Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI
Curators in the Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI metro area earn a median of $66,400 a year ($31.92 an hour), based on BLS data for 120 workers.
Pay ranges from $37,290 for the lowest-paid 10% to $99,310 for the top 10%. That is 5% higher than the national median of $63,420. Pay here is 5% higher than the Michigan statewide median of $63,190. There are 0.06 curators per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $71,860, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for curators in Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $37,290 | $17.93 |
| 25th percentile | $47,830 | $22.99 |
| Median | $66,400 | $31.92 |
| 75th percentile | $82,410 | $39.62 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $99,310 | $47.74 |
| Average (mean) | $71,860 | $34.55 |
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 | $5,533.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,766.67 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,553.85 |
| Weekly | $1,276.92 |
| Hourly | $31.92 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Ann Arbor, MI | $82,150 | 60 |
| Grand Rapids-Wyoming-Kentwood, MI | $63,190 | 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 Michigan statewide figures.
Related jobs in Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Librarians and Media Collections Specialists | $60,060 | $28.88 |
| Library Technician | $29,640 | $14.25 |
| Museum Technicians and Conservators | $45,020 | $21.65 |
| Archivist | $66,830 | $32.13 |
| Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education | $65,210 | — |
| Teaching Assistants, Except Postsecondary | $35,450 | — |
| Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education | $77,520 | — |
| Middle School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education | $65,140 | — |
| Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education | $37,500 | $18.03 |
| Self-Enrichment Teacher | $38,620 | $18.57 |
| Instructional Coordinator | $82,130 | $39.49 |
| Teaching Assistants, Postsecondary | $46,430 | — |
| Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten and Elementary School | $78,980 | — |
| Tutor | $44,210 | $21.26 |
More: Educational Instruction and Library Occupations · all salaries in Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI
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 Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI?
The median salary for curators in the Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI metro area is $66,400 a year, or $31.92 an hour. Pay ranges from $37,290 for the lowest-paid 10% to $99,310 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid curators make in Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI?
The top 10% of curators in the Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI metro area earn at least $99,310 a year. The top 25% earn $82,410 or more.
What is the starting pay for curators in Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $37,290 a year, and a quarter of curators earn $47,830 or less.
How many curators work in Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI?
About 120 curators are employed in the Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI metro area, not counting the self-employed.