Creative & Education Minneapolis, MN Pop. 429,954

Museum Curator Salary in Minneapolis, Minnesota

The median museum curator salary in Minneapolis, MN is $63,116 per year, which is 5.0% above the national median and 8.2% above the Minnesota state average.

City Median
$63,116
vs State Avg
+$4,809
vs National
+$3,006
Cost of Living
105%

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

Minneapolis offers a median museum curator salary of $63,116, which is $4,809 above the Minnesota state average of $58,307. Compared to the national median of $60,110, Minneapolis pays above average for this role.

Minneapolis's cost of living is 105% 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 Minneapolis spans from $36,750 at the 10th percentile to $102,900 at the 90th percentile — a $66,150 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $39,900, while senior museum curators with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $96,600. With a population of 429,954, Minneapolis is a mid-sized metro with a growing job market.

Museum Curator Salary in Minneapolis by Experience

In Minneapolis, an entry-level museum curator earns around $39,900, while experienced professionals earn up to $96,600 per year. The local cost of living index is 105% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$39,900
+$1,900 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$65,100
+$3,100 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$96,600
+$4,600 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Minneapolis, MN

Percentile Minneapolis
10th Percentile $36,750
25th Percentile $46,200
Median (50th) $63,116
75th Percentile $81,900
90th Percentile $102,900

Museum Curator Salary in Other Minnesota Cities

Bloomington, MN
$61,312
Pop. 89,987
Saint Paul, MN
$60,110
Pop. 311,527
Rochester, MN
$58,908
Pop. 121,395
Duluth, MN
$54,099
Pop. 90,884

How to Become a Museum Curator in Minneapolis

Education

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

Find Museum Curator Jobs in Minneapolis

Browse open museum curator positions in Minneapolis, MN:

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Frequently Asked Questions: Museum Curator Salary in Minneapolis

How much does a Museum Curator make in Minneapolis, MN? ▼
The median museum curator salary in Minneapolis, Minnesota is $63,116 per year, which is 5.0% above the national median of $60,110. Salaries range from $36,750 (10th percentile) to $102,900 (90th percentile).
How much does a Museum Curator make per hour in Minneapolis? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $63,116, a museum curator in Minneapolis earns approximately $30 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Minneapolis compare to the Minnesota state average for museum curator pay? ▼
Minneapolis's median museum curator salary of $63,116 is 8.2% above the Minnesota state average of $58,307. The local cost of living index is 105% of the national average.
What is the cost of living in Minneapolis, MN? ▼
Minneapolis has a cost of living index of 105% compared to the national average. This means a museum curator salary of $63,116 in Minneapolis has less purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a museum curator in Minneapolis? ▼
Most museum curator positions in Minneapolis 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.