Curator salary in Montana
Curators in Montana earn a median of $54,460 a year ($26.18 an hour), based on BLS data for 100 workers.
Pay ranges from $37,760 for the lowest-paid 10% to $88,910 for the top 10%. That is 14% lower than the national median of $63,420. Montana ranks 41st of 49 states for curators pay. There are 0.19 curators per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 2.5× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $55,260, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for curators in Montana
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $37,760 | $18.16 |
| 25th percentile | $39,670 | $19.07 |
| Median | $54,460 | $26.18 |
| 75th percentile | $61,140 | $29.40 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $88,910 | $42.74 |
| Average (mean) | $55,260 | $26.57 |
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 | $4,538.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,269.17 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,094.62 |
| Weekly | $1,047.31 |
| Hourly | $26.18 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
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 Montana
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Librarians and Media Collections Specialists | $63,870 | $30.71 |
| Library Technician | $38,220 | $18.37 |
| Museum Technicians and Conservators | $42,390 | $20.38 |
| Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education | $57,530 | — |
| Teaching Assistants, Except Postsecondary | $34,750 | — |
| Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education | $60,990 | — |
| Substitute Teachers, Short-Term | $28,050 | $13.49 |
| Middle School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education | $61,550 | — |
| Self-Enrichment Teacher | $45,050 | $21.66 |
| Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education | $36,540 | $17.57 |
| Instructional Coordinator | $60,920 | $29.29 |
| Postsecondary Teachers, All Other | $77,550 | — |
| Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten and Elementary School | $57,630 | — |
| Special Education Teachers, Secondary School | $62,310 | — |
More: Educational Instruction and Library Occupations · all salaries in Montana
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 Montana?
The median salary for curators in Montana is $54,460 a year, or $26.18 an hour. Pay ranges from $37,760 for the lowest-paid 10% to $88,910 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid curators make in Montana?
The top 10% of curators in Montana earn at least $88,910 a year. The top 25% earn $61,140 or more.
What is the starting pay for curators in Montana?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $37,760 a year, and a quarter of curators earn $39,670 or less.
How many curators work in Montana?
About 100 curators are employed in Montana, not counting the self-employed.