How much does a curator make in California?
$78,740a year
Median yearly pay for curators in California. That is $37.86 an hour or $6,562 a month.
- Hourly
- $37.86
- Vs. national median
- +24%
- Rank among states
- 4 of 49
- Jobs in the state
- 1,140
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $53,390Median: $78,740Highest 10%: $125,700
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $53,390 | $25.67 | |
| 25th | $66,480 | $31.96 | |
| Median | $78,740 | $37.86 | |
| 75th | $99,430 | $47.80 | |
| 90th | $125,700 | $60.42 |
Cities in California
Metro areas, median yearly pay.
| San Francisco, CA | $90,800 |
| Sacramento, CA | $78,420 |
| Los Angeles, CA | $77,160 |
| San Diego, CA | $75,800 |
| Riverside, CA | $74,950 |
| Santa Maria, CA | $71,380 |
Nearby in the ranking
States with similar pay for curators.
| 1. District of Columbia | $93,310 |
| 2. New Hampshire | $82,490 |
| 3. New York | $79,120 |
| 4. California | $78,740 |
| 5. Rhode Island | $77,930 |
| 6. New Jersey | $77,800 |
| 7. Massachusetts | $77,790 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a curator make an hour in California?
The median hourly pay in California is $37.86 ($78,740 a year).
Do curators make more in California than the national average?
Yes: $78,740 against $63,420 nationally, 24% more.
Where does California rank for curator pay?
California ranks 4 of 49 states.
Which city in California pays curators the most?
San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA, with a median of $90,800 a year.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS): pay in May 2025, published by BLS in 2026. Hourly pay is the yearly figure divided by 2,080 hours.