Curator salary in Richmond, VA
Curators in the Richmond, VA metro area earn a median of $66,650 a year ($32.04 an hour), based on BLS data for 80 workers.
Pay ranges from $42,870 for the lowest-paid 10% to $111,070 for the top 10%. That is 5% higher than the national median of $63,420. Pay here is 15% higher than the Virginia statewide median of $58,200. There are 0.11 curators per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.5× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $74,460, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for curators in Richmond, VA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $42,870 | $20.61 |
| 25th percentile | $47,860 | $23.01 |
| Median | $66,650 | $32.04 |
| 75th percentile | $95,660 | $45.99 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $111,070 | $53.40 |
| Average (mean) | $74,460 | $35.80 |
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 | $5,554.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,777.08 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,563.46 |
| Weekly | $1,281.73 |
| Hourly | $32.04 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $87,400 | 270 |
| Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC | $58,200 | 150 |
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 Virginia statewide figures.
Related jobs in Richmond, VA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Librarians and Media Collections Specialists | $77,430 | $37.23 |
| Library Technician | $40,510 | $19.48 |
| Archivist | $65,240 | $31.37 |
| Museum Technicians and Conservators | $52,190 | $25.09 |
| Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education | $61,290 | — |
| Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education | $62,000 | — |
| Substitute Teachers, Short-Term | $35,230 | $16.94 |
| Teaching Assistants, Except Postsecondary | $37,050 | — |
| Middle School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education | $61,350 | — |
| Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education | $35,980 | $17.30 |
| Self-Enrichment Teacher | $45,280 | $21.77 |
| Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary | $101,080 | — |
| Special Education Teachers, Secondary School | $61,120 | — |
| Instructional Coordinator | $81,850 | $39.35 |
More: Educational Instruction and Library Occupations · all salaries in Richmond, VA
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 Richmond, VA?
The median salary for curators in the Richmond, VA metro area is $66,650 a year, or $32.04 an hour. Pay ranges from $42,870 for the lowest-paid 10% to $111,070 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid curators make in Richmond, VA?
The top 10% of curators in the Richmond, VA metro area earn at least $111,070 a year. The top 25% earn $95,660 or more.
What is the starting pay for curators in Richmond, VA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $42,870 a year, and a quarter of curators earn $47,860 or less.
How many curators work in Richmond, VA?
About 80 curators are employed in the Richmond, VA metro area, not counting the self-employed.