Curator salary in Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA
Curators in the Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA metro area earn a median of $71,380 a year ($34.32 an hour), based on BLS data for 30 workers.
Pay ranges from $49,550 for the lowest-paid 10% to $94,280 for the top 10%. That is 13% higher than the national median of $63,420. Pay here is 9% lower than the California statewide median of $78,740. There are 0.16 curators per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 2.1× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $72,660, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for curators in Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $49,550 | $23.82 |
| 25th percentile | $58,150 | $27.96 |
| Median | $71,380 | $34.32 |
| 75th percentile | $87,280 | $41.96 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $94,280 | $45.33 |
| Average (mean) | $72,660 | $34.93 |
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 | $5,948.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,974.17 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,745.38 |
| Weekly | $1,372.69 |
| Hourly | $34.32 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | $90,800 | 240 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $78,420 | 50 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $77,160 | 390 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | $75,800 | 170 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | $74,950 | 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 California statewide figures.
Related jobs in Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Library Technician | $56,160 | $27.00 |
| Librarians and Media Collections Specialists | $94,380 | $45.37 |
| Museum Technicians and Conservators | $51,170 | $24.60 |
| Teaching Assistants, Except Postsecondary | $46,540 | — |
| Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education | $101,030 | — |
| Postsecondary Teachers, All Other | $71,200 | — |
| Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education | $102,840 | — |
| Self-Enrichment Teacher | $47,300 | $22.74 |
| Educational Instruction and Library Workers, All Other | $48,930 | $23.52 |
| Teaching Assistants, Postsecondary | $50,310 | — |
| Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education | $48,130 | $23.14 |
| Substitute Teachers, Short-Term | $62,310 | $29.96 |
| Instructional Coordinator | $95,790 | $46.05 |
| Tutor | $39,130 | $18.81 |
More: Educational Instruction and Library Occupations · all salaries in Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA
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 Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA?
The median salary for curators in the Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA metro area is $71,380 a year, or $34.32 an hour. Pay ranges from $49,550 for the lowest-paid 10% to $94,280 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid curators make in Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA?
The top 10% of curators in the Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA metro area earn at least $94,280 a year. The top 25% earn $87,280 or more.
What is the starting pay for curators in Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $49,550 a year, and a quarter of curators earn $58,150 or less.
How many curators work in Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA?
About 30 curators are employed in the Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA metro area, not counting the self-employed.