Creative & Education Lincoln, NE Pop. 291,082

Museum Curator Salary in Lincoln, Nebraska

The median museum curator salary in Lincoln, NE is $54,099 per year, which is 10% below the national median and 0.0% above the Nebraska state average.

City Median
$54,099
vs State Avg
+$0
vs National
$-6,011
Cost of Living
90%

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

Lincoln offers a median museum curator salary of $54,099, which is $0 above the Nebraska state average of $54,099. Compared to the national median of $60,110, Lincoln pays below the national benchmark for this role.

Lincoln's cost of living is 90% 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 Lincoln spans from $31,500 at the 10th percentile to $88,200 at the 90th percentile — a $56,700 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $34,200, while senior museum curators with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $82,800. With a population of 291,082, Lincoln is a mid-sized metro with a growing job market.

Museum Curator Salary in Lincoln by Experience

In Lincoln, an entry-level museum curator earns around $34,200, while experienced professionals earn up to $82,800 per year. The local cost of living index is 90% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$34,200
$-3,800 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$55,800
$-6,200 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$82,800
$-9,200 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Lincoln, NE

Percentile Lincoln
10th Percentile $31,500
25th Percentile $39,600
Median (50th) $54,099
75th Percentile $70,200
90th Percentile $88,200

Museum Curator Salary in Other Nebraska Cities

Omaha, NE
$55,902
Pop. 486,051
Bellevue, NE
$55,301
Pop. 64,176
Kearney, NE
$51,695
Pop. 33,464
Grand Island, NE
$50,492
Pop. 53,131

How to Become a Museum Curator in Lincoln

Education

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

Find Museum Curator Jobs in Lincoln

Browse open museum curator positions in Lincoln, NE:

Indeed → LinkedIn → ZipRecruiter → Glassdoor →

Frequently Asked Questions: Museum Curator Salary in Lincoln

How much does a Museum Curator make in Lincoln, NE? ▼
The median museum curator salary in Lincoln, Nebraska is $54,099 per year, which is 10% below the national median of $60,110. Salaries range from $31,500 (10th percentile) to $88,200 (90th percentile).
How much does a Museum Curator make per hour in Lincoln? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $54,099, a museum curator in Lincoln earns approximately $26 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Lincoln compare to the Nebraska state average for museum curator pay? ▼
Lincoln's median museum curator salary of $54,099 is 0.0% above the Nebraska state average of $54,099. The local cost of living index is 90% of the national average.
What is the cost of living in Lincoln, NE? ▼
Lincoln has a cost of living index of 90% compared to the national average. This means a museum curator salary of $54,099 in Lincoln has more purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a museum curator in Lincoln? ▼
Most museum curator positions in Lincoln 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.