Curator salary in Iowa
Curators in Iowa earn a median of $53,830 a year ($25.88 an hour), based on BLS data for 230 workers.
Pay ranges from $31,910 for the lowest-paid 10% to $89,780 for the top 10%. That is 15% lower than the national median of $63,420. Iowa ranks 45th of 49 states for curators pay. There are 0.15 curators per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.9× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $54,750, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for curators in Iowa
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $31,910 | $15.34 |
| 25th percentile | $41,600 | $20.00 |
| Median | $53,830 | $25.88 |
| 75th percentile | $66,470 | $31.96 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $89,780 | $43.17 |
| Average (mean) | $54,750 | $26.32 |
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 | $4,485.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,242.92 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,070.38 |
| Weekly | $1,035.19 |
| Hourly | $25.88 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Curator salary in cities in Iowa
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Omaha, NE-IA | $77,460 | 40 |
| Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA | $48,600 | 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 |
Related jobs in Iowa
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Librarians and Media Collections Specialists | $58,440 | $28.09 |
| Library Technician | $38,590 | $18.55 |
| Museum Technicians and Conservators | $51,740 | $24.87 |
| Archivist | $59,010 | $28.37 |
| Teaching Assistants, Except Postsecondary | $30,510 | — |
| Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education | $60,580 | — |
| Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education | $61,200 | — |
| Substitute Teachers, Short-Term | $37,230 | $17.90 |
| Middle School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education | $60,450 | — |
| Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education | $33,830 | $16.26 |
| Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary | $128,490 | — |
| Self-Enrichment Teacher | $35,670 | $17.15 |
| Instructional Coordinator | $74,970 | $36.04 |
| Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten and Elementary School | $60,440 | — |
More: Educational Instruction and Library Occupations · all salaries in Iowa
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 Iowa?
The median salary for curators in Iowa is $53,830 a year, or $25.88 an hour. Pay ranges from $31,910 for the lowest-paid 10% to $89,780 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid curators make in Iowa?
The top 10% of curators in Iowa earn at least $89,780 a year. The top 25% earn $66,470 or more.
What is the starting pay for curators in Iowa?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $31,910 a year, and a quarter of curators earn $41,600 or less.
How many curators work in Iowa?
About 230 curators are employed in Iowa, not counting the self-employed.