Creative & Education Owensboro, KY Pop. 60,183

Museum Curator Salary in Owensboro, Kentucky

The median museum curator salary in Owensboro, KY is $49,290 per year, which is 18% below the national median and 5.7% below the Kentucky state average.

City Median
$49,290
vs State Avg
$-3,006
vs National
$-10,820
Cost of Living
82%

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

Owensboro offers a median museum curator salary of $49,290, which is $3,006 below the Kentucky state average of $52,296. Compared to the national median of $60,110, Owensboro pays below the national benchmark for this role.

One of Owensboro's biggest advantages is its low cost of living at 82% of the national average. This means the $49,290 salary stretches further here — equivalent to roughly $60,110 in an average-cost city. This makes Owensboro an attractive option for museum curators seeking strong real-dollar compensation.

The salary range for museum curators in Owensboro spans from $28,700 at the 10th percentile to $80,360 at the 90th percentile — a $51,660 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $31,160, while senior museum curators with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $75,440. Owensboro is a smaller market (pop. 60,183), which may mean fewer openings but also less competition for available positions.

Museum Curator Salary in Owensboro by Experience

In Owensboro, an entry-level museum curator earns around $31,160, while experienced professionals earn up to $75,440 per year. The local cost of living index is 82% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$31,160
$-6,840 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$50,840
$-11,160 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$75,440
$-16,560 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Owensboro, KY

Percentile Owensboro
10th Percentile $28,700
25th Percentile $36,080
Median (50th) $49,290
75th Percentile $63,960
90th Percentile $80,360

Museum Curator Salary in Other Kentucky Cities

Lexington, KY
$55,902
Pop. 322,570
Louisville, KY
$55,301
Pop. 633,045
Covington, KY
$52,897
Pop. 40,961
Bowling Green, KY
$50,492
Pop. 74,735

How to Become a Museum Curator in Owensboro

Education

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

Find Museum Curator Jobs in Owensboro

Browse open museum curator positions in Owensboro, KY:

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Frequently Asked Questions: Museum Curator Salary in Owensboro

How much does a Museum Curator make in Owensboro, KY? ▼
The median museum curator salary in Owensboro, Kentucky is $49,290 per year, which is 18% below the national median of $60,110. Salaries range from $28,700 (10th percentile) to $80,360 (90th percentile).
How much does a Museum Curator make per hour in Owensboro? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $49,290, a museum curator in Owensboro earns approximately $24 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Owensboro compare to the Kentucky state average for museum curator pay? ▼
Owensboro's median museum curator salary of $49,290 is 5.7% below the Kentucky state average of $52,296. The local cost of living index is 82% of the national average.
What is the cost of living in Owensboro, KY? ▼
Owensboro has a cost of living index of 82% compared to the national average. This means a museum curator salary of $49,290 in Owensboro has more purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a museum curator in Owensboro? ▼
Most museum curator positions in Owensboro 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.