Curator salary in Tennessee
Curators in Tennessee earn a median of $57,580 a year ($27.68 an hour), based on BLS data for 190 workers.
Pay ranges from $32,960 for the lowest-paid 10% to $89,130 for the top 10%. That is 9% lower than the national median of $63,420. Tennessee ranks 35th of 49 states for curators pay. There are 0.06 curators per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.75). The average (mean) salary is $61,280, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for curators in Tennessee
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $32,960 | $15.85 |
| 25th percentile | $46,530 | $22.37 |
| Median | $57,580 | $27.68 |
| 75th percentile | $76,690 | $36.87 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $89,130 | $42.85 |
| Average (mean) | $61,280 | $29.46 |
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 | $4,798.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,399.17 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,214.62 |
| Weekly | $1,107.31 |
| Hourly | $27.68 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Curator salary in cities in Tennessee
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN | $63,570 | 70 |
| Memphis, TN-MS-AR | $56,410 | 40 |
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 Tennessee
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Librarians and Media Collections Specialists | $62,090 | $29.85 |
| Library Technician | $36,400 | $17.50 |
| Museum Technicians and Conservators | $44,710 | $21.49 |
| Archivist | $53,210 | $25.58 |
| Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education | $59,980 | — |
| Teaching Assistants, Except Postsecondary | $29,210 | — |
| Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education | $61,860 | — |
| Middle School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education | $60,690 | — |
| Substitute Teachers, Short-Term | $29,500 | $14.18 |
| Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education | $34,280 | $16.48 |
| Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary | $98,870 | — |
| Instructional Coordinator | $74,390 | $35.77 |
| Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten and Elementary School | $62,560 | — |
| Self-Enrichment Teacher | $38,730 | $18.62 |
More: Educational Instruction and Library Occupations · all salaries in Tennessee
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 Tennessee?
The median salary for curators in Tennessee is $57,580 a year, or $27.68 an hour. Pay ranges from $32,960 for the lowest-paid 10% to $89,130 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid curators make in Tennessee?
The top 10% of curators in Tennessee earn at least $89,130 a year. The top 25% earn $76,690 or more.
What is the starting pay for curators in Tennessee?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $32,960 a year, and a quarter of curators earn $46,530 or less.
How many curators work in Tennessee?
About 190 curators are employed in Tennessee, not counting the self-employed.