Creative & Education Kearney, NE Pop. 33,464

Museum Curator Salary in Kearney, Nebraska

The median museum curator salary in Kearney, NE is $51,695 per year, which is 14% below the national median and 4.4% below the Nebraska state average.

City Median
$51,695
vs State Avg
$-2,404
vs National
$-8,415
Cost of Living
86%

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

Kearney offers a median museum curator salary of $51,695, which is $2,404 below the Nebraska state average of $54,099. Compared to the national median of $60,110, Kearney pays below the national benchmark for this role.

One of Kearney's biggest advantages is its low cost of living at 86% of the national average. This means the $51,695 salary stretches further here — equivalent to roughly $60,110 in an average-cost city. This makes Kearney an attractive option for museum curators seeking strong real-dollar compensation.

The salary range for museum curators in Kearney spans from $30,100 at the 10th percentile to $84,280 at the 90th percentile — a $54,180 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $32,680, while senior museum curators with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $79,120. Kearney is a smaller market (pop. 33,464), which may mean fewer openings but also less competition for available positions.

Museum Curator Salary in Kearney by Experience

In Kearney, an entry-level museum curator earns around $32,680, while experienced professionals earn up to $79,120 per year. The local cost of living index is 86% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$32,680
$-5,320 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$53,320
$-8,680 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$79,120
$-12,880 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Kearney, NE

Percentile Kearney
10th Percentile $30,100
25th Percentile $37,840
Median (50th) $51,695
75th Percentile $67,080
90th Percentile $84,280

Museum Curator Salary in Other Nebraska Cities

Omaha, NE
$55,902
Pop. 486,051
Bellevue, NE
$55,301
Pop. 64,176
Lincoln, NE
$54,099
Pop. 291,082
Grand Island, NE
$50,492
Pop. 53,131

How to Become a Museum Curator in Kearney

Education

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

Find Museum Curator Jobs in Kearney

Browse open museum curator positions in Kearney, NE:

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Frequently Asked Questions: Museum Curator Salary in Kearney

How much does a Museum Curator make in Kearney, NE? ▼
The median museum curator salary in Kearney, Nebraska is $51,695 per year, which is 14% below the national median of $60,110. Salaries range from $30,100 (10th percentile) to $84,280 (90th percentile).
How much does a Museum Curator make per hour in Kearney? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $51,695, a museum curator in Kearney earns approximately $25 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Kearney compare to the Nebraska state average for museum curator pay? ▼
Kearney's median museum curator salary of $51,695 is 4.4% below the Nebraska state average of $54,099. The local cost of living index is 86% of the national average.
What is the cost of living in Kearney, NE? ▼
Kearney has a cost of living index of 86% compared to the national average. This means a museum curator salary of $51,695 in Kearney has more purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a museum curator in Kearney? ▼
Most museum curator positions in Kearney 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.