Creative & Education Birmingham, AL Pop. 197,575

Museum Curator Salary in Birmingham, Alabama

The median museum curator salary in Birmingham, AL is $54,099 per year, which is 10% below the national median and 3.4% above the Alabama state average.

City Median
$54,099
vs State Avg
+$1,803
vs National
$-6,011
Cost of Living
90%

Museum Curator Pay in Birmingham: What to Expect (2026)

Birmingham offers a median museum curator salary of $54,099, which is $1,803 above the Alabama state average of $52,296. Compared to the national median of $60,110, Birmingham pays below the national benchmark for this role.

Birmingham's cost of living is 90% of the national average, meaning salary figures here closely reflect actual purchasing power. This makes direct comparisons to other cities straightforward.

The salary range for museum curators in Birmingham spans from $31,500 at the 10th percentile to $88,200 at the 90th percentile — a $56,700 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $34,200, while senior museum curators with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $82,800. With a population of 197,575, Birmingham is a mid-sized metro with a growing job market.

Museum Curator Salary in Birmingham by Experience

In Birmingham, an entry-level museum curator earns around $34,200, while experienced professionals earn up to $82,800 per year. The local cost of living index is 90% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$34,200
$-3,800 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$55,800
$-6,200 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$82,800
$-9,200 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Birmingham, AL

Percentile Birmingham
10th Percentile $31,500
25th Percentile $39,600
Median (50th) $54,099
75th Percentile $70,200
90th Percentile $88,200

Museum Curator Salary in Other Alabama Cities

Huntsville, AL
$55,301
Pop. 216,963
Tuscaloosa, AL
$52,897
Pop. 101,129
Montgomery, AL
$51,695
Pop. 200,603
Mobile, AL
$51,094
Pop. 187,041

How to Become a Museum Curator in Birmingham

Education

Most museum curator positions require a master's degree. Birmingham and the surrounding Alabama area have institutions offering relevant programs.

Key Skills

Collection ManagementExhibition DesignArt HistoryResearchGrant WritingPublic Programming

Job Outlook

Nationally, museum curator employment is projected to grow 12% over the next decade (much faster than average). Demand in Birmingham may vary based on local industry and population growth.

Find Museum Curator Jobs in Birmingham

Browse open museum curator positions in Birmingham, AL:

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Frequently Asked Questions: Museum Curator Salary in Birmingham

How much does a Museum Curator make in Birmingham, AL? ▼
The median museum curator salary in Birmingham, Alabama is $54,099 per year, which is 10% below the national median of $60,110. Salaries range from $31,500 (10th percentile) to $88,200 (90th percentile).
How much does a Museum Curator make per hour in Birmingham? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $54,099, a museum curator in Birmingham earns approximately $26 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Birmingham compare to the Alabama state average for museum curator pay? ▼
Birmingham's median museum curator salary of $54,099 is 3.4% above the Alabama state average of $52,296. The local cost of living index is 90% of the national average.
What is the cost of living in Birmingham, AL? ▼
Birmingham has a cost of living index of 90% compared to the national average. This means a museum curator salary of $54,099 in Birmingham has more purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a museum curator in Birmingham? ▼
Most museum curator positions in Birmingham require a master's degree. Key skills include Collection Management, Exhibition Design, Art History, Research. The job market is projected to grow 12% nationally over the next decade.