Curator salary in North Carolina
Curators in North Carolina earn a median of $49,470 a year ($23.78 an hour), based on BLS data for 600 workers.
Pay ranges from $42,240 for the lowest-paid 10% to $76,890 for the top 10%. That is 22% lower than the national median of $63,420. North Carolina ranks 47th of 49 states for curators pay. There are 0.12 curators per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.6× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $57,490, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for curators in North Carolina
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $42,240 | $20.31 |
| 25th percentile | $47,560 | $22.86 |
| Median | $49,470 | $23.78 |
| 75th percentile | $69,360 | $33.35 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $76,890 | $36.97 |
| Average (mean) | $57,490 | $27.64 |
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 | $4,122.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,061.25 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,902.69 |
| Weekly | $951.35 |
| Hourly | $23.78 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Curator salary in cities in North Carolina
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Raleigh-Cary, NC | $65,670 | 160 |
| Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC | $58,200 | 150 |
| Greensboro-High Point, NC | $55,170 | 60 |
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | $53,100 | 50 |
| Durham-Chapel Hill, NC | $49,240 | 80 |
| Wilmington, NC | $48,230 | 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 North Carolina
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Librarians and Media Collections Specialists | $61,420 | $29.53 |
| Library Technician | $46,520 | $22.37 |
| Museum Technicians and Conservators | $39,290 | $18.89 |
| Archivist | $55,370 | $26.62 |
| Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education | $54,930 | — |
| Teaching Assistants, Except Postsecondary | $29,790 | — |
| Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education | $57,650 | — |
| Middle School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education | $52,010 | — |
| Substitute Teachers, Short-Term | $33,780 | $16.24 |
| Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education | $35,710 | $17.17 |
| Self-Enrichment Teacher | $41,710 | $20.05 |
| Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary | $103,220 | — |
| Instructional Coordinator | $63,340 | $30.45 |
| Career/Technical Education Teachers, Postsecondary | $62,390 | $30.00 |
More: Educational Instruction and Library Occupations · all salaries in North Carolina
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 North Carolina?
The median salary for curators in North Carolina is $49,470 a year, or $23.78 an hour. Pay ranges from $42,240 for the lowest-paid 10% to $76,890 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid curators make in North Carolina?
The top 10% of curators in North Carolina earn at least $76,890 a year. The top 25% earn $69,360 or more.
What is the starting pay for curators in North Carolina?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $42,240 a year, and a quarter of curators earn $47,560 or less.
How many curators work in North Carolina?
About 600 curators are employed in North Carolina, not counting the self-employed.