Creative & Education Iowa City, IA Pop. 74,828

Museum Curator Salary in Iowa City, Iowa

The median museum curator salary in Iowa City, IA is $57,105 per year, which is 5% below the national median and 6.7% above the Iowa state average.

City Median
$57,105
vs State Avg
+$3,607
vs National
$-3,005
Cost of Living
95%

Museum Curator Pay in Iowa City: What to Expect (2026)

Iowa City offers a median museum curator salary of $57,105, which is $3,607 above the Iowa state average of $53,498. Compared to the national median of $60,110, Iowa City pays below the national benchmark for this role.

Iowa City's cost of living is 95% of the national average, meaning salary figures here closely reflect actual purchasing power. This makes direct comparisons to other cities straightforward.

The salary range for museum curators in Iowa City spans from $33,250 at the 10th percentile to $93,100 at the 90th percentile — a $59,850 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $36,100, while senior museum curators with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $87,400. Iowa City is a smaller market (pop. 74,828), which may mean fewer openings but also less competition for available positions.

Museum Curator Salary in Iowa City by Experience

In Iowa City, an entry-level museum curator earns around $36,100, while experienced professionals earn up to $87,400 per year. The local cost of living index is 95% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$36,100
$-1,900 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$58,900
$-3,100 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$87,400
$-4,600 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Iowa City, IA

Percentile Iowa City
10th Percentile $33,250
25th Percentile $41,800
Median (50th) $57,105
75th Percentile $74,100
90th Percentile $93,100

Museum Curator Salary in Other Iowa Cities

Des Moines, IA
$55,301
Pop. 214,133
Cedar Rapids, IA
$52,897
Pop. 137,710
Davenport, IA
$51,695
Pop. 101,724
Sioux City, IA
$50,492
Pop. 85,797

How to Become a Museum Curator in Iowa City

Education

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

Find Museum Curator Jobs in Iowa City

Browse open museum curator positions in Iowa City, IA:

Indeed → LinkedIn → ZipRecruiter → Glassdoor →

Frequently Asked Questions: Museum Curator Salary in Iowa City

How much does a Museum Curator make in Iowa City, IA? ▼
The median museum curator salary in Iowa City, Iowa is $57,105 per year, which is 5% below the national median of $60,110. Salaries range from $33,250 (10th percentile) to $93,100 (90th percentile).
How much does a Museum Curator make per hour in Iowa City? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $57,105, a museum curator in Iowa City earns approximately $27 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Iowa City compare to the Iowa state average for museum curator pay? ▼
Iowa City's median museum curator salary of $57,105 is 6.7% above the Iowa state average of $53,498. The local cost of living index is 95% of the national average.
What is the cost of living in Iowa City, IA? ▼
Iowa City has a cost of living index of 95% compared to the national average. This means a museum curator salary of $57,105 in Iowa City has more purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a museum curator in Iowa City? ▼
Most museum curator positions in Iowa City 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.