Education & Library
Curators
Also called: Collections Curator, Collections Manager, Curator, Education Curator
US median pay
$63,420
per year, 2025
Job growth 2025–35
+4.9%
about average or slower
Openings a year (US)
1,600
14,200 employed
Typical entry education
Master's degree
Preparation 5/5 · Extensive preparation
What this job is
Administer collections, such as artwork, collectibles, historic items, or scientific specimens of museums or other institutions. May conduct instructional, research, or public service activities of institution.
What they do day to day
- Plan and organize the acquisition, storage, and exhibition of collections and related materials, including the selection of exhibition themes and designs, and develop or install exhibit materials.
- Develop and maintain an institution's registration, cataloging, and basic record-keeping systems, using computer databases.
- Plan and conduct special research projects in area of interest or expertise.
- Provide information from the institution's holdings to other curators and to the public.
- Negotiate and authorize purchase, sale, exchange, or loan of collections.
- Study, examine, and test acquisitions to authenticate their origin, composition, history, and to assess their current value.
- Inspect premises to assess the need for repairs and to ensure that climate and pest control issues are addressed.
- Write and review grant proposals, journal articles, institutional reports, and publicity materials.
- Design, organize, or conduct tours, workshops, and instructional or educational sessions to acquaint individuals with an institution's facilities and materials.
- Attend meetings, conventions, and civic events to promote use of institution's services, to seek financing, and to maintain community alliances.
Skills and knowledge that matter most
Skills
- Complex Problem Solving3.6/5
- Judgment and Decision Making3.5/5
- Systems Analysis3.4/5
- Systems Evaluation3.2/5
- Social Perceptiveness3.2/5
- Time Management3.1/5
- Coordination3.1/5
- Persuasion3.0/5
Knowledge
- English Language4.6/5
- History and Archeology4.5/5
- Fine Arts3.8/5
- Administration and Management3.3/5
- Sociology and Anthropology3.3/5
- Communications and Media3.2/5
Importance rated by people working in the job (1 = not important, 5 = extremely important).
Education and preparation
Preparation level 5 of 5 — Extensive preparation. Usually a graduate degree (master's, PhD, MD, JD) and extensive experience.
Typical entry education (BLS): Master's degree.
Highest education of people in this job:
- Master's degree44%
- Doctoral degree35%
Who this job suits
Mostly Conventional
Organising data, details and procedures
Enterprising
Leading, persuading and starting things
Social
Helping, teaching and caring for people
Based on the Holland (RIASEC) interest profile for this occupation.