Creative & Education Chicago, IL Pop. 2,693,976

Museum Curator Salary in Chicago, Illinois

The median museum curator salary in Chicago, IL is $64,318 per year, which is 7.0% above the national median and 12.6% above the Illinois state average.

City Median
$64,318
vs State Avg
+$7,213
vs National
+$4,208
Cost of Living
107%

Museum Curator Salary in Chicago by Experience

In Chicago, an entry-level museum curator earns around $40,660, while experienced professionals earn up to $98,440 per year. The local cost of living index is 107% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$40,660
+$2,660 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$66,340
+$4,340 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$98,440
+$6,440 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Chicago, IL

Percentile Chicago
10th Percentile $37,450
25th Percentile $47,080
Median (50th) $64,318
75th Percentile $83,460
90th Percentile $104,860

Museum Curator Salary in Other Illinois Cities

Naperville, IL
$64,919
Pop. 149,540
Aurora, IL
$57,105
Pop. 197,757
Springfield, IL
$51,094
Pop. 114,394
Rockford, IL
$49,290
Pop. 148,655

How to Become a Museum Curator in Chicago

Education

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