Creative & Education Wilmington, DE Pop. 70,898

Museum Curator Salary in Wilmington, Delaware

The median museum curator salary in Wilmington, DE is $63,116 per year, which is 5.0% above the national median and 4.0% above the Delaware state average.

City Median
$63,116
vs State Avg
+$2,405
vs National
+$3,006
Cost of Living
105%

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

Wilmington offers a median museum curator salary of $63,116, which is $2,405 above the Delaware state average of $60,711. Compared to the national median of $60,110, Wilmington pays above average for this role.

Wilmington's cost of living is 105% 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 Wilmington spans from $36,750 at the 10th percentile to $102,900 at the 90th percentile — a $66,150 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $39,900, while senior museum curators with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $96,600. Wilmington is a smaller market (pop. 70,898), which may mean fewer openings but also less competition for available positions.

Museum Curator Salary in Wilmington by Experience

In Wilmington, an entry-level museum curator earns around $39,900, while experienced professionals earn up to $96,600 per year. The local cost of living index is 105% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$39,900
+$1,900 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$65,100
+$3,100 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$96,600
+$4,600 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Wilmington, DE

Percentile Wilmington
10th Percentile $36,750
25th Percentile $46,200
Median (50th) $63,116
75th Percentile $81,900
90th Percentile $102,900

Museum Curator Salary in Other Delaware Cities

Newark, DE
$61,312
Pop. 33,398
Bear, DE
$59,509
Pop. 21,000
Middletown, DE
$58,908
Pop. 22,350
Dover, DE
$57,706
Pop. 39,403

How to Become a Museum Curator in Wilmington

Education

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

Find Museum Curator Jobs in Wilmington

Browse open museum curator positions in Wilmington, DE:

Indeed → LinkedIn → ZipRecruiter → Glassdoor →

Frequently Asked Questions: Museum Curator Salary in Wilmington

How much does a Museum Curator make in Wilmington, DE? ▼
The median museum curator salary in Wilmington, Delaware is $63,116 per year, which is 5.0% above the national median of $60,110. Salaries range from $36,750 (10th percentile) to $102,900 (90th percentile).
How much does a Museum Curator make per hour in Wilmington? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $63,116, a museum curator in Wilmington earns approximately $30 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Wilmington compare to the Delaware state average for museum curator pay? ▼
Wilmington's median museum curator salary of $63,116 is 4.0% above the Delaware state average of $60,711. The local cost of living index is 105% of the national average.
What is the cost of living in Wilmington, DE? ▼
Wilmington has a cost of living index of 105% compared to the national average. This means a museum curator salary of $63,116 in Wilmington has less purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a museum curator in Wilmington? ▼
Most museum curator positions in Wilmington 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.