Creative & Education Davenport, IA Pop. 101,724

Museum Curator Salary in Davenport, Iowa

The median museum curator salary in Davenport, IA is $51,695 per year, which is 14% below the national median and 3.4% below the Iowa state average.

City Median
$51,695
vs State Avg
$-1,803
vs National
$-8,415
Cost of Living
86%

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

Davenport offers a median museum curator salary of $51,695, which is $1,803 below the Iowa state average of $53,498. Compared to the national median of $60,110, Davenport pays below the national benchmark for this role.

One of Davenport's biggest advantages is its low cost of living at 86% of the national average. This means the $51,695 salary stretches further here — equivalent to roughly $60,110 in an average-cost city. This makes Davenport an attractive option for museum curators seeking strong real-dollar compensation.

The salary range for museum curators in Davenport spans from $30,100 at the 10th percentile to $84,280 at the 90th percentile — a $54,180 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $32,680, while senior museum curators with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $79,120. With a population of 101,724, Davenport is a mid-sized metro with a growing job market.

Museum Curator Salary in Davenport by Experience

In Davenport, an entry-level museum curator earns around $32,680, while experienced professionals earn up to $79,120 per year. The local cost of living index is 86% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$32,680
$-5,320 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$53,320
$-8,680 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$79,120
$-12,880 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Davenport, IA

Percentile Davenport
10th Percentile $30,100
25th Percentile $37,840
Median (50th) $51,695
75th Percentile $67,080
90th Percentile $84,280

Museum Curator Salary in Other Iowa Cities

Iowa City, IA
$57,105
Pop. 74,828
Des Moines, IA
$55,301
Pop. 214,133
Cedar Rapids, IA
$52,897
Pop. 137,710
Sioux City, IA
$50,492
Pop. 85,797

How to Become a Museum Curator in Davenport

Education

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

Find Museum Curator Jobs in Davenport

Browse open museum curator positions in Davenport, IA:

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Frequently Asked Questions: Museum Curator Salary in Davenport

How much does a Museum Curator make in Davenport, IA? ▼
The median museum curator salary in Davenport, Iowa is $51,695 per year, which is 14% below the national median of $60,110. Salaries range from $30,100 (10th percentile) to $84,280 (90th percentile).
How much does a Museum Curator make per hour in Davenport? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $51,695, a museum curator in Davenport earns approximately $25 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Davenport compare to the Iowa state average for museum curator pay? ▼
Davenport's median museum curator salary of $51,695 is 3.4% below the Iowa state average of $53,498. The local cost of living index is 86% of the national average.
What is the cost of living in Davenport, IA? ▼
Davenport has a cost of living index of 86% compared to the national average. This means a museum curator salary of $51,695 in Davenport has more purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a museum curator in Davenport? ▼
Most museum curator positions in Davenport 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.