Curator salary in South Dakota
Curators in South Dakota earn a median of $74,990 a year ($36.05 an hour), based on BLS data for 50 workers.
Pay ranges from $49,740 for the lowest-paid 10% to $98,490 for the top 10%. That is 18% higher than the national median of $63,420. South Dakota ranks 9th of 49 states for curators pay. There are 0.10 curators per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.3× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $74,800, close to the median.
Pay range for curators in South Dakota
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $49,740 | $23.91 |
| 25th percentile | $57,460 | $27.63 |
| Median | $74,990 | $36.05 |
| 75th percentile | $95,780 | $46.05 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $98,490 | $47.35 |
| Average (mean) | $74,800 | $35.96 |
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 | $6,249.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,124.58 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,884.23 |
| Weekly | $1,442.12 |
| Hourly | $36.05 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
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 Dakota
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Library Technician | $29,590 | $14.23 |
| Librarians and Media Collections Specialists | $51,210 | $24.62 |
| Teaching Assistants, Except Postsecondary | $28,220 | — |
| Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education | $50,130 | — |
| Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education | $51,050 | — |
| Middle School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education | $50,980 | — |
| Substitute Teachers, Short-Term | $27,840 | $13.39 |
| Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education | $44,500 | $21.39 |
| Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten and Elementary School | $51,090 | — |
| Kindergarten Teachers, Except Special Education | $49,410 | — |
| Instructional Coordinator | $57,910 | $27.84 |
| Special Education Teachers, Secondary School | $54,810 | — |
| Teaching Assistants, Postsecondary | $39,840 | — |
| Career/Technical Education Teachers, Secondary School | $56,070 | — |
More: Educational Instruction and Library Occupations · all salaries in South Dakota
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 Dakota?
The median salary for curators in South Dakota is $74,990 a year, or $36.05 an hour. Pay ranges from $49,740 for the lowest-paid 10% to $98,490 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid curators make in South Dakota?
The top 10% of curators in South Dakota earn at least $98,490 a year. The top 25% earn $95,780 or more.
What is the starting pay for curators in South Dakota?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $49,740 a year, and a quarter of curators earn $57,460 or less.
How many curators work in South Dakota?
About 50 curators are employed in South Dakota, not counting the self-employed.