Curator salary in Massachusetts
Curators in Massachusetts earn a median of $77,790 a year ($37.40 an hour), based on BLS data for 370 workers.
Pay ranges from $41,310 for the lowest-paid 10% to $130,480 for the top 10%. That is 23% higher than the national median of $63,420. Massachusetts ranks 7th of 49 states for curators pay. There are 0.10 curators per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.3× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $81,450, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for curators in Massachusetts
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $41,310 | $19.86 |
| 25th percentile | $58,380 | $28.07 |
| Median | $77,790 | $37.40 |
| 75th percentile | $97,880 | $47.06 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $130,480 | $62.73 |
| Average (mean) | $81,450 | $39.16 |
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 | $6,482.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,241.25 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,991.92 |
| Weekly | $1,495.96 |
| Hourly | $37.40 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Curator salary in cities in Massachusetts
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Amherst Town-Northampton, MA | $79,380 | n/a |
| Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH | $78,720 | 220 |
| Worcester, MA | $78,450 | 30 |
| Providence-Warwick, RI-MA | $77,670 | 90 |
| Pittsfield, MA | $76,850 | 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 Massachusetts
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Librarians and Media Collections Specialists | $78,540 | $37.76 |
| Library Technician | $50,430 | $24.24 |
| Museum Technicians and Conservators | $58,530 | $28.14 |
| Archivist | $78,180 | $37.59 |
| Teaching Assistants, Except Postsecondary | $39,380 | — |
| Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education | $94,000 | — |
| Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education | $95,260 | — |
| Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education | $45,890 | $22.06 |
| Middle School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education | $89,450 | — |
| Self-Enrichment Teacher | $49,430 | $23.77 |
| Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary | $134,520 | — |
| Substitute Teachers, Short-Term | $41,350 | $19.88 |
| Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten and Elementary School | $91,350 | — |
| Instructional Coordinator | $95,320 | $45.83 |
More: Educational Instruction and Library Occupations · all salaries in Massachusetts
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 Massachusetts?
The median salary for curators in Massachusetts is $77,790 a year, or $37.40 an hour. Pay ranges from $41,310 for the lowest-paid 10% to $130,480 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid curators make in Massachusetts?
The top 10% of curators in Massachusetts earn at least $130,480 a year. The top 25% earn $97,880 or more.
What is the starting pay for curators in Massachusetts?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $41,310 a year, and a quarter of curators earn $58,380 or less.
How many curators work in Massachusetts?
About 370 curators are employed in Massachusetts, not counting the self-employed.