Creative & Education Cedar Rapids, IA Pop. 137,710

Museum Curator Salary in Cedar Rapids, Iowa

The median museum curator salary in Cedar Rapids, IA is $52,897 per year, which is 12% below the national median and 1.1% below the Iowa state average.

City Median
$52,897
vs State Avg
$-601
vs National
$-7,213
Cost of Living
88%

Museum Curator Pay in Cedar Rapids: What to Expect (2026)

Cedar Rapids offers a median museum curator salary of $52,897, which is $601 below the Iowa state average of $53,498. Compared to the national median of $60,110, Cedar Rapids pays below the national benchmark for this role.

One of Cedar Rapids's biggest advantages is its low cost of living at 88% of the national average. This means the $52,897 salary stretches further here — equivalent to roughly $60,110 in an average-cost city. This makes Cedar Rapids an attractive option for museum curators seeking strong real-dollar compensation.

The salary range for museum curators in Cedar Rapids spans from $30,800 at the 10th percentile to $86,240 at the 90th percentile — a $55,440 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $33,440, while senior museum curators with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $80,960. With a population of 137,710, Cedar Rapids is a mid-sized metro with a growing job market.

Museum Curator Salary in Cedar Rapids by Experience

In Cedar Rapids, an entry-level museum curator earns around $33,440, while experienced professionals earn up to $80,960 per year. The local cost of living index is 88% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$33,440
$-4,560 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$54,560
$-7,440 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$80,960
$-11,040 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Cedar Rapids, IA

Percentile Cedar Rapids
10th Percentile $30,800
25th Percentile $38,720
Median (50th) $52,897
75th Percentile $68,640
90th Percentile $86,240

Museum Curator Salary in Other Iowa Cities

Iowa City, IA
$57,105
Pop. 74,828
Des Moines, IA
$55,301
Pop. 214,133
Davenport, IA
$51,695
Pop. 101,724
Sioux City, IA
$50,492
Pop. 85,797

How to Become a Museum Curator in Cedar Rapids

Education

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

Find Museum Curator Jobs in Cedar Rapids

Browse open museum curator positions in Cedar Rapids, IA:

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Frequently Asked Questions: Museum Curator Salary in Cedar Rapids

How much does a Museum Curator make in Cedar Rapids, IA? ▼
The median museum curator salary in Cedar Rapids, Iowa is $52,897 per year, which is 12% below the national median of $60,110. Salaries range from $30,800 (10th percentile) to $86,240 (90th percentile).
How much does a Museum Curator make per hour in Cedar Rapids? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $52,897, a museum curator in Cedar Rapids earns approximately $25 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Cedar Rapids compare to the Iowa state average for museum curator pay? ▼
Cedar Rapids's median museum curator salary of $52,897 is 1.1% below the Iowa state average of $53,498. The local cost of living index is 88% of the national average.
What is the cost of living in Cedar Rapids, IA? ▼
Cedar Rapids has a cost of living index of 88% compared to the national average. This means a museum curator salary of $52,897 in Cedar Rapids has more purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a museum curator in Cedar Rapids? ▼
Most museum curator positions in Cedar Rapids 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.