Museum Curator Salary in Honolulu, HI: $105,193 (2026)

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

Honolulu offers a median museum curator salary of $105,193, which is $3,006 above the Hawaii state average of $102,187. Compared to the national median of $60,110, Honolulu pays above average for this role.

However, Honolulu's cost of living index is 175%, significantly above the national average. After adjusting for local costs, the $105,193 salary has an effective purchasing power of approximately $60,110. Housing, transportation, and food costs in Honolulu should be factored into any relocation or job-change decision.

The salary range for museum curators in Honolulu spans from $61,250 at the 10th percentile to $171,500 at the 90th percentile — a $110,250 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $66,500, while senior museum curators with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $161,000. With a population of 350,964, Honolulu is a mid-sized metro with a growing job market.

Museum Curator Salary in Honolulu by Experience

In Honolulu, an entry-level museum curator earns around $66,500, while experienced professionals earn up to $161,000 per year. The local cost of living index is 175% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)

$66,500

+$28,500 vs national

Mid Level (3-7 yrs)

$108,500

+$46,500 vs national

Senior Level (8+ yrs)

$161,000

+$69,000 vs national

Percentile	Honolulu	HI State	National
10th Percentile	$61,250	$59,500	$35,000
25th Percentile	$77,000	$74,800	$44,000
Median (50th)	$105,193	$102,187	$60,110
75th Percentile	$136,500	$132,600	$78,000
90th Percentile	$171,500	$166,600	$98,000

Percentile

Honolulu

10th Percentile

$61,250

25th Percentile

$77,000

Median (50th)

$105,193

75th Percentile

$136,500

90th Percentile

$171,500

How to Become a Museum Curator in Honolulu

Education

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

Frequently Asked Questions: Museum Curator Salary in Honolulu

How much does a Museum Curator make in Honolulu, HI? ▼

The median museum curator salary in Honolulu, Hawaii is $105,193 per year, which is 75.0% above the national median of $60,110. Salaries range from $61,250 (10th percentile) to $171,500 (90th percentile).

How much does a Museum Curator make per hour in Honolulu? ▼

Based on the median annual salary of $105,193, a museum curator in Honolulu earns approximately $51 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.

How does Honolulu compare to the Hawaii state average for museum curator pay? ▼

Honolulu's median museum curator salary of $105,193 is 2.9% above the Hawaii state average of $102,187. The local cost of living index is 175% of the national average.

What is the cost of living in Honolulu, HI? ▼

Honolulu has a cost of living index of 175% compared to the national average. This means a museum curator salary of $105,193 in Honolulu has less purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.

What qualifications do I need to become a museum curator in Honolulu? ▼

Most museum curator positions in Honolulu 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.

Museum Curator Salary in Honolulu, Hawaii