Creative & Education Rochester, MN Pop. 121,395

Museum Curator Salary in Rochester, Minnesota

The median museum curator salary in Rochester, MN is $58,908 per year, which is 2% below the national median and 1.0% above the Minnesota state average.

City Median
$58,908
vs State Avg
+$601
vs National
$-1,202
Cost of Living
98%

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

Rochester offers a median museum curator salary of $58,908, which is $601 above the Minnesota state average of $58,307. Compared to the national median of $60,110, Rochester pays below the national benchmark for this role.

Rochester's cost of living is 98% 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 Rochester spans from $34,300 at the 10th percentile to $96,040 at the 90th percentile — a $61,740 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $37,240, while senior museum curators with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $90,160. With a population of 121,395, Rochester is a mid-sized metro with a growing job market.

Museum Curator Salary in Rochester by Experience

In Rochester, an entry-level museum curator earns around $37,240, while experienced professionals earn up to $90,160 per year. The local cost of living index is 98% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$37,240
$-760 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$60,760
$-1,240 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$90,160
$-1,840 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Rochester, MN

Percentile Rochester
10th Percentile $34,300
25th Percentile $43,120
Median (50th) $58,908
75th Percentile $76,440
90th Percentile $96,040

Museum Curator Salary in Other Minnesota Cities

How to Become a Museum Curator in Rochester

Education

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

Find Museum Curator Jobs in Rochester

Browse open museum curator positions in Rochester, MN:

Frequently Asked Questions: Museum Curator Salary in Rochester

How much does a Museum Curator make in Rochester, MN? ▼
The median museum curator salary in Rochester, Minnesota is $58,908 per year, which is 2% below the national median of $60,110. Salaries range from $34,300 (10th percentile) to $96,040 (90th percentile).
How much does a Museum Curator make per hour in Rochester? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $58,908, a museum curator in Rochester earns approximately $28 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Rochester compare to the Minnesota state average for museum curator pay? ▼
Rochester's median museum curator salary of $58,908 is 1.0% above the Minnesota state average of $58,307. The local cost of living index is 98% of the national average.
What is the cost of living in Rochester, MN? ▼
Rochester has a cost of living index of 98% compared to the national average. This means a museum curator salary of $58,908 in Rochester has more purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a museum curator in Rochester? ▼
Most museum curator positions in Rochester 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.