Creative & Education Sioux City, IA Pop. 85,797

Museum Curator Salary in Sioux City, Iowa

The median museum curator salary in Sioux City, IA is $50,492 per year, which is 16% below the national median and 5.6% below the Iowa state average.

City Median
$50,492
vs State Avg
$-3,006
vs National
$-9,618
Cost of Living
84%

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

Sioux City offers a median museum curator salary of $50,492, which is $3,006 below the Iowa state average of $53,498. Compared to the national median of $60,110, Sioux City pays below the national benchmark for this role.

One of Sioux City's biggest advantages is its low cost of living at 84% of the national average. This means the $50,492 salary stretches further here — equivalent to roughly $60,110 in an average-cost city. This makes Sioux City an attractive option for museum curators seeking strong real-dollar compensation.

The salary range for museum curators in Sioux City spans from $29,400 at the 10th percentile to $82,320 at the 90th percentile — a $52,920 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $31,920, while senior museum curators with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $77,280. Sioux City is a smaller market (pop. 85,797), which may mean fewer openings but also less competition for available positions.

Museum Curator Salary in Sioux City by Experience

In Sioux City, an entry-level museum curator earns around $31,920, while experienced professionals earn up to $77,280 per year. The local cost of living index is 84% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$31,920
$-6,080 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$52,080
$-9,920 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$77,280
$-14,720 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Sioux City, IA

Percentile Sioux City
10th Percentile $29,400
25th Percentile $36,960
Median (50th) $50,492
75th Percentile $65,520
90th Percentile $82,320

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
Davenport, IA
$51,695
Pop. 101,724

How to Become a Museum Curator in Sioux City

Education

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

Find Museum Curator Jobs in Sioux City

Browse open museum curator positions in Sioux City, IA:

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Frequently Asked Questions: Museum Curator Salary in Sioux City

How much does a Museum Curator make in Sioux City, IA? ▼
The median museum curator salary in Sioux City, Iowa is $50,492 per year, which is 16% below the national median of $60,110. Salaries range from $29,400 (10th percentile) to $82,320 (90th percentile).
How much does a Museum Curator make per hour in Sioux City? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $50,492, a museum curator in Sioux City earns approximately $24 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Sioux City compare to the Iowa state average for museum curator pay? ▼
Sioux City's median museum curator salary of $50,492 is 5.6% below the Iowa state average of $53,498. The local cost of living index is 84% of the national average.
What is the cost of living in Sioux City, IA? ▼
Sioux City has a cost of living index of 84% compared to the national average. This means a museum curator salary of $50,492 in Sioux 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 Sioux City? ▼
Most museum curator positions in Sioux 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.