Curator salary in Rhode Island
Curators in Rhode Island earn a median of $77,930 a year ($37.47 an hour), based on BLS data for 70 workers.
Pay ranges from $46,740 for the lowest-paid 10% to $108,900 for the top 10%. That is 23% higher than the national median of $63,420. Rhode Island ranks 5th of 49 states for curators pay, one of the best-paying states for this job. There are 0.15 curators per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.9× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $82,470, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for curators in Rhode Island
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $46,740 | $22.47 |
| 25th percentile | $64,430 | $30.97 |
| Median | $77,930 | $37.47 |
| 75th percentile | $104,350 | $50.17 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $108,900 | $52.36 |
| Average (mean) | $82,470 | $39.65 |
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 | $6,494.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,247.08 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,997.31 |
| Weekly | $1,498.65 |
| Hourly | $37.47 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Curator salary in cities in Rhode Island
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Providence-Warwick, RI-MA | $77,670 | 90 |
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 Rhode Island
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Librarians and Media Collections Specialists | $75,860 | $36.47 |
| Library Technician | $48,740 | $23.43 |
| Museum Technicians and Conservators | $55,470 | $26.67 |
| Archivist | $76,990 | $37.01 |
| Teaching Assistants, Except Postsecondary | $37,220 | — |
| Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education | $92,610 | — |
| Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education | $90,930 | — |
| Middle School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education | $92,760 | — |
| Substitute Teachers, Short-Term | $45,590 | $21.92 |
| Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education | $36,830 | $17.71 |
| Self-Enrichment Teacher | $41,960 | $20.17 |
| Instructional Coordinator | $63,110 | $30.34 |
| Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten and Elementary School | $84,300 | — |
| Special Education Teachers, Secondary School | $92,990 | — |
More: Educational Instruction and Library Occupations · all salaries in Rhode Island
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 Rhode Island?
The median salary for curators in Rhode Island is $77,930 a year, or $37.47 an hour. Pay ranges from $46,740 for the lowest-paid 10% to $108,900 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid curators make in Rhode Island?
The top 10% of curators in Rhode Island earn at least $108,900 a year. The top 25% earn $104,350 or more.
What is the starting pay for curators in Rhode Island?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $46,740 a year, and a quarter of curators earn $64,430 or less.
How many curators work in Rhode Island?
About 70 curators are employed in Rhode Island, not counting the self-employed.