Curator salary in South Carolina
Curators in South Carolina earn a median of $47,200 a year ($22.69 an hour), based on BLS data for 120 workers.
Pay ranges from $35,800 for the lowest-paid 10% to $78,430 for the top 10%. That is 26% lower than the national median of $63,420. South Carolina ranks 48th of 49 states for curators pay. There are 0.05 curators per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.67). The average (mean) salary is $55,640, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for curators in South Carolina
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $35,800 | $17.21 |
| 25th percentile | $41,990 | $20.19 |
| Median | $47,200 | $22.69 |
| 75th percentile | $69,060 | $33.20 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $78,430 | $37.71 |
| Average (mean) | $55,640 | $26.75 |
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 | $3,933.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,966.67 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,815.38 |
| Weekly | $907.69 |
| Hourly | $22.69 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Curator salary in cities in South Carolina
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Columbia, SC | $56,270 | 30 |
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | $53,100 | 50 |
| Charleston-North Charleston, SC | $47,200 | 30 |
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 South Carolina
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Librarians and Media Collections Specialists | $62,640 | $30.12 |
| Library Technician | $36,070 | $17.34 |
| Museum Technicians and Conservators | $38,290 | $18.41 |
| Archivist | $52,810 | $25.39 |
| Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education | $60,820 | — |
| Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education | $62,580 | — |
| Teaching Assistants, Except Postsecondary | $27,860 | — |
| Middle School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education | $60,810 | — |
| Substitute Teachers, Short-Term | $30,400 | $14.62 |
| Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education | $34,500 | $16.59 |
| Instructional Coordinator | $65,460 | $31.47 |
| Self-Enrichment Teacher | $39,800 | $19.14 |
| Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten and Elementary School | $62,360 | — |
| Teaching Assistants, Postsecondary | $46,760 | — |
More: Educational Instruction and Library Occupations · all salaries in South Carolina
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 South Carolina?
The median salary for curators in South Carolina is $47,200 a year, or $22.69 an hour. Pay ranges from $35,800 for the lowest-paid 10% to $78,430 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid curators make in South Carolina?
The top 10% of curators in South Carolina earn at least $78,430 a year. The top 25% earn $69,060 or more.
What is the starting pay for curators in South Carolina?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $35,800 a year, and a quarter of curators earn $41,990 or less.
How many curators work in South Carolina?
About 120 curators are employed in South Carolina, not counting the self-employed.