Creative & Education Waipahu, HI Pop. 38,216

Museum Curator Salary in Waipahu, Hawaii

The median museum curator salary in Waipahu, HI is $97,378 per year, which is 62.0% above the national median and 4.7% below the Hawaii state average.

City Median
$97,378
vs State Avg
$-4,809
vs National
+$37,268
Cost of Living
162%

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

Waipahu offers a median museum curator salary of $97,378, which is $4,809 below the Hawaii state average of $102,187. Compared to the national median of $60,110, Waipahu pays above average for this role.

However, Waipahu's cost of living index is 162%, significantly above the national average. After adjusting for local costs, the $97,378 salary has an effective purchasing power of approximately $60,110. Housing, transportation, and food costs in Waipahu should be factored into any relocation or job-change decision.

The salary range for museum curators in Waipahu spans from $56,700 at the 10th percentile to $158,760 at the 90th percentile — a $102,060 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $61,560, while senior museum curators with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $149,040. Waipahu is a smaller market (pop. 38,216), which may mean fewer openings but also less competition for available positions.

Museum Curator Salary in Waipahu by Experience

In Waipahu, an entry-level museum curator earns around $61,560, while experienced professionals earn up to $149,040 per year. The local cost of living index is 162% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$61,560
+$23,560 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$100,440
+$38,440 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$149,040
+$57,040 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Waipahu, HI

Percentile Waipahu
10th Percentile $56,700
25th Percentile $71,280
Median (50th) $97,378
75th Percentile $126,360
90th Percentile $158,760

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
Hilo, HI
$91,367
Pop. 45,703

How to Become a Museum Curator in Waipahu

Education

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

Find Museum Curator Jobs in Waipahu

Browse open museum curator positions in Waipahu, HI:

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Frequently Asked Questions: Museum Curator Salary in Waipahu

How much does a Museum Curator make in Waipahu, HI? ▼
The median museum curator salary in Waipahu, Hawaii is $97,378 per year, which is 62.0% above the national median of $60,110. Salaries range from $56,700 (10th percentile) to $158,760 (90th percentile).
How much does a Museum Curator make per hour in Waipahu? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $97,378, a museum curator in Waipahu earns approximately $47 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Waipahu compare to the Hawaii state average for museum curator pay? ▼
Waipahu's median museum curator salary of $97,378 is 4.7% below the Hawaii state average of $102,187. The local cost of living index is 162% of the national average.
What is the cost of living in Waipahu, HI? ▼
Waipahu has a cost of living index of 162% compared to the national average. This means a museum curator salary of $97,378 in Waipahu has less purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a museum curator in Waipahu? ▼
Most museum curator positions in Waipahu 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.