Curator salary in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA
Curators in the Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA metro area earn a median of $78,340 a year ($37.66 an hour), based on BLS data for 150 workers.
Pay ranges from $46,170 for the lowest-paid 10% to $129,360 for the top 10%. That is 24% higher than the national median of $63,420. Pay here is 6% higher than the Washington statewide median of $74,030. There are 0.07 curators per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $82,120, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for curators in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $46,170 | $22.20 |
| 25th percentile | $62,640 | $30.11 |
| Median | $78,340 | $37.66 |
| 75th percentile | $98,630 | $47.42 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $129,360 | $62.19 |
| Average (mean) | $82,120 | $39.48 |
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 | $6,528.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,264.17 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,013.08 |
| Weekly | $1,506.54 |
| Hourly | $37.66 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA | $64,060 | 140 |
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 Washington statewide figures.
Related jobs in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Librarians and Media Collections Specialists | $101,780 | $48.93 |
| Library Technician | $65,690 | $31.58 |
| Archivist | $78,530 | $37.75 |
| Museum Technicians and Conservators | $61,370 | $29.50 |
| Teaching Assistants, Except Postsecondary | $53,950 | — |
| Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education | $102,920 | — |
| Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education | $46,380 | $22.30 |
| Self-Enrichment Teacher | $48,530 | $23.33 |
| Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education | $102,670 | — |
| Substitute Teachers, Short-Term | $60,070 | $28.88 |
| Middle School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education | $102,560 | — |
| Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary | $164,860 | — |
| Instructional Coordinator | $97,130 | $46.70 |
| Kindergarten Teachers, Except Special Education | $101,580 | — |
More: Educational Instruction and Library Occupations · all salaries in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA
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 Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA?
The median salary for curators in the Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA metro area is $78,340 a year, or $37.66 an hour. Pay ranges from $46,170 for the lowest-paid 10% to $129,360 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid curators make in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA?
The top 10% of curators in the Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA metro area earn at least $129,360 a year. The top 25% earn $98,630 or more.
What is the starting pay for curators in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $46,170 a year, and a quarter of curators earn $62,640 or less.
How many curators work in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA?
About 150 curators are employed in the Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA metro area, not counting the self-employed.