Creative & Education San Jose, CA Pop. 1,013,240

Museum Curator Salary in San Jose, California

The median museum curator salary in San Jose, CA is $100,985 per year, which is 68.0% above the national median and 21.7% above the California state average.

City Median
$100,985
vs State Avg
+$18,033
vs National
+$40,875
Cost of Living
168%

Museum Curator Salary in San Jose by Experience

In San Jose, an entry-level museum curator earns around $63,840, while experienced professionals earn up to $154,560 per year. The local cost of living index is 168% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$63,840
+$25,840 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$104,160
+$42,160 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$154,560
+$62,560 vs national

Salary Percentiles in San Jose, CA

Percentile San Jose
10th Percentile $58,800
25th Percentile $73,920
Median (50th) $100,985
75th Percentile $131,040
90th Percentile $164,640

Museum Curator Salary in Other California Cities

How to Become a Museum Curator in San Jose

Education

Most museum curator positions require a master's degree. San Jose and the surrounding California 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 San Jose may vary based on local industry and population growth.