Curator salary in Memphis, TN-MS-AR
Curators in the Memphis, TN-MS-AR metro area earn a median of $56,410 a year ($27.12 an hour), based on BLS data for 40 workers.
Pay ranges from $44,410 for the lowest-paid 10% to $90,550 for the top 10%. That is 11% lower than the national median of $63,420. Pay here is 2% lower than the Tennessee statewide median of $57,580. There are 0.06 curators per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.80). The average (mean) salary is $61,790, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for curators in Memphis, TN-MS-AR
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $44,410 | $21.35 |
| 25th percentile | $47,640 | $22.90 |
| Median | $56,410 | $27.12 |
| 75th percentile | $73,340 | $35.26 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $90,550 | $43.53 |
| Average (mean) | $61,790 | $29.71 |
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 | $4,700.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,350.42 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,169.62 |
| Weekly | $1,084.81 |
| Hourly | $27.12 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN | $63,570 | 70 |
| Fayetteville-Springdale-Rogers, AR | $58,000 | 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 Tennessee statewide figures.
Related jobs in Memphis, TN-MS-AR
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Librarians and Media Collections Specialists | $65,820 | $31.65 |
| Library Technician | $36,400 | $17.50 |
| Museum Technicians and Conservators | $36,040 | $17.33 |
| Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education | $61,510 | — |
| Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education | $62,230 | — |
| Teaching Assistants, Except Postsecondary | $29,330 | — |
| Middle School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education | $58,380 | — |
| Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary | $128,860 | — |
| Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten and Elementary School | $64,640 | — |
| Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education | $36,250 | $17.43 |
| Substitute Teachers, Short-Term | $31,930 | $15.35 |
| Educational Instruction and Library Workers, All Other | $65,420 | $31.45 |
| Instructional Coordinator | $73,110 | $35.15 |
| Self-Enrichment Teacher | $35,180 | $16.91 |
More: Educational Instruction and Library Occupations · all salaries in Memphis, TN-MS-AR
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 Memphis, TN-MS-AR?
The median salary for curators in the Memphis, TN-MS-AR metro area is $56,410 a year, or $27.12 an hour. Pay ranges from $44,410 for the lowest-paid 10% to $90,550 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid curators make in Memphis, TN-MS-AR?
The top 10% of curators in the Memphis, TN-MS-AR metro area earn at least $90,550 a year. The top 25% earn $73,340 or more.
What is the starting pay for curators in Memphis, TN-MS-AR?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $44,410 a year, and a quarter of curators earn $47,640 or less.
How many curators work in Memphis, TN-MS-AR?
About 40 curators are employed in the Memphis, TN-MS-AR metro area, not counting the self-employed.