Curator salary in Rochester, NY
Curators in the Rochester, NY metro area earn a median of $59,120 a year ($28.42 an hour), based on BLS data for 70 workers.
Pay ranges from $39,520 for the lowest-paid 10% to $100,670 for the top 10%. That is 7% lower than the national median of $63,420. Pay here is 25% lower than the New York statewide median of $79,120. There are 0.14 curators per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.8× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $66,370, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for curators in Rochester, NY
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $39,520 | $19.00 |
| 25th percentile | $50,860 | $24.45 |
| Median | $59,120 | $28.42 |
| 75th percentile | $77,800 | $37.40 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $100,670 | $48.40 |
| Average (mean) | $66,370 | $31.91 |
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 | $4,926.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,463.33 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,273.85 |
| Weekly | $1,136.92 |
| Hourly | $28.42 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | $83,110 | 970 |
| Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY | $82,640 | 80 |
| Kiryas Joel-Poughkeepsie-Newburgh, NY | $73,680 | 40 |
| Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY | $55,290 | 60 |
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 New York statewide figures.
Related jobs in Rochester, NY
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Librarians and Media Collections Specialists | $63,490 | $30.52 |
| Library Technician | $39,240 | $18.87 |
| Museum Technicians and Conservators | $51,070 | $24.55 |
| Archivist | $66,050 | $31.76 |
| Teaching Assistants, Except Postsecondary | $36,240 | — |
| Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education | $62,840 | — |
| Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education | $76,190 | — |
| Substitute Teachers, Short-Term | $42,280 | $20.33 |
| Middle School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education | $76,160 | — |
| Self-Enrichment Teacher | $47,780 | $22.97 |
| Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education | $38,890 | $18.70 |
| Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten and Elementary School | $60,760 | — |
| Special Education Teachers, Secondary School | $63,190 | — |
| Instructional Coordinator | $66,840 | $32.13 |
More: Educational Instruction and Library Occupations · all salaries in Rochester, NY
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 Rochester, NY?
The median salary for curators in the Rochester, NY metro area is $59,120 a year, or $28.42 an hour. Pay ranges from $39,520 for the lowest-paid 10% to $100,670 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid curators make in Rochester, NY?
The top 10% of curators in the Rochester, NY metro area earn at least $100,670 a year. The top 25% earn $77,800 or more.
What is the starting pay for curators in Rochester, NY?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $39,520 a year, and a quarter of curators earn $50,860 or less.
How many curators work in Rochester, NY?
About 70 curators are employed in the Rochester, NY metro area, not counting the self-employed.