Creative & Education Hilo, HI Pop. 45,703

Museum Curator Salary in Hilo, Hawaii

The median museum curator salary in Hilo, HI is $91,367 per year, which is 52.0% above the national median and 10.6% below the Hawaii state average.

City Median
$91,367
vs State Avg
$-10,820
vs National
+$31,257
Cost of Living
152%

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

Hilo offers a median museum curator salary of $91,367, which is $10,820 below the Hawaii state average of $102,187. Compared to the national median of $60,110, Hilo pays above average for this role.

However, Hilo's cost of living index is 152%, significantly above the national average. After adjusting for local costs, the $91,367 salary has an effective purchasing power of approximately $60,110. Housing, transportation, and food costs in Hilo should be factored into any relocation or job-change decision.

The salary range for museum curators in Hilo spans from $53,200 at the 10th percentile to $148,960 at the 90th percentile — a $95,760 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $57,760, while senior museum curators with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $139,840. Hilo is a smaller market (pop. 45,703), which may mean fewer openings but also less competition for available positions.

Museum Curator Salary in Hilo by Experience

In Hilo, an entry-level museum curator earns around $57,760, while experienced professionals earn up to $139,840 per year. The local cost of living index is 152% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$57,760
+$19,760 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$94,240
+$32,240 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$139,840
+$47,840 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Hilo, HI

Percentile Hilo
10th Percentile $53,200
25th Percentile $66,880
Median (50th) $91,367
75th Percentile $118,560
90th Percentile $148,960

Museum Curator Salary in Other Hawaii Cities

Honolulu, HI
$105,193
Pop. 350,964
Kailua, HI
$102,187
Pop. 38,635
Pearl City, HI
$100,985
Pop. 47,698
Waipahu, HI
$97,378
Pop. 38,216

How to Become a Museum Curator in Hilo

Education

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

Find Museum Curator Jobs in Hilo

Browse open museum curator positions in Hilo, HI:

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Frequently Asked Questions: Museum Curator Salary in Hilo

How much does a Museum Curator make in Hilo, HI? ▼
The median museum curator salary in Hilo, Hawaii is $91,367 per year, which is 52.0% above the national median of $60,110. Salaries range from $53,200 (10th percentile) to $148,960 (90th percentile).
How much does a Museum Curator make per hour in Hilo? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $91,367, a museum curator in Hilo earns approximately $44 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Hilo compare to the Hawaii state average for museum curator pay? ▼
Hilo's median museum curator salary of $91,367 is 10.6% below the Hawaii state average of $102,187. The local cost of living index is 152% of the national average.
What is the cost of living in Hilo, HI? ▼
Hilo has a cost of living index of 152% compared to the national average. This means a museum curator salary of $91,367 in Hilo has less purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a museum curator in Hilo? ▼
Most museum curator positions in Hilo 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.