Creative & Education Little Rock, AR Pop. 202,591

Museum Curator Salary in Little Rock, Arkansas

The median museum curator salary in Little Rock, AR is $52,296 per year, which is 13% below the national median and 3.6% above the Arkansas state average.

City Median
$52,296
vs State Avg
+$1,804
vs National
$-7,814
Cost of Living
87%

Museum Curator Pay in Little Rock: What to Expect (2026)

Little Rock offers a median museum curator salary of $52,296, which is $1,804 above the Arkansas state average of $50,492. Compared to the national median of $60,110, Little Rock pays below the national benchmark for this role.

One of Little Rock's biggest advantages is its low cost of living at 87% of the national average. This means the $52,296 salary stretches further here — equivalent to roughly $60,110 in an average-cost city. This makes Little Rock an attractive option for museum curators seeking strong real-dollar compensation.

The salary range for museum curators in Little Rock spans from $30,450 at the 10th percentile to $85,260 at the 90th percentile — a $54,810 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $33,060, while senior museum curators with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $80,040. With a population of 202,591, Little Rock is a mid-sized metro with a growing job market.

Museum Curator Salary in Little Rock by Experience

In Little Rock, an entry-level museum curator earns around $33,060, while experienced professionals earn up to $80,040 per year. The local cost of living index is 87% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$33,060
$-4,940 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$53,940
$-8,060 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$80,040
$-11,960 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Little Rock, AR

Percentile Little Rock
10th Percentile $30,450
25th Percentile $38,280
Median (50th) $52,296
75th Percentile $67,860
90th Percentile $85,260

Museum Curator Salary in Other Arkansas Cities

Fayetteville, AR
$52,897
Pop. 93,949
Springdale, AR
$50,492
Pop. 80,433
Jonesboro, AR
$49,290
Pop. 78,576
Fort Smith, AR
$48,088
Pop. 89,142

How to Become a Museum Curator in Little Rock

Education

Most museum curator positions require a master's degree. Little Rock and the surrounding Arkansas 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 Little Rock may vary based on local industry and population growth.

Find Museum Curator Jobs in Little Rock

Browse open museum curator positions in Little Rock, AR:

Indeed → LinkedIn → ZipRecruiter → Glassdoor →

Frequently Asked Questions: Museum Curator Salary in Little Rock

How much does a Museum Curator make in Little Rock, AR? ▼
The median museum curator salary in Little Rock, Arkansas is $52,296 per year, which is 13% below the national median of $60,110. Salaries range from $30,450 (10th percentile) to $85,260 (90th percentile).
How much does a Museum Curator make per hour in Little Rock? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $52,296, a museum curator in Little Rock earns approximately $25 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Little Rock compare to the Arkansas state average for museum curator pay? ▼
Little Rock's median museum curator salary of $52,296 is 3.6% above the Arkansas state average of $50,492. The local cost of living index is 87% of the national average.
What is the cost of living in Little Rock, AR? ▼
Little Rock has a cost of living index of 87% compared to the national average. This means a museum curator salary of $52,296 in Little Rock has more purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a museum curator in Little Rock? ▼
Most museum curator positions in Little Rock 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.