Creative & Education Durham, NC Pop. 283,506

Museum Curator Salary in Durham, North Carolina

The median museum curator salary in Durham, NC is $57,105 per year, which is 5% below the national median and 3.3% above the North Carolina state average.

City Median
$57,105
vs State Avg
+$1,804
vs National
$-3,005
Cost of Living
95%

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

Durham offers a median museum curator salary of $57,105, which is $1,804 above the North Carolina state average of $55,301. Compared to the national median of $60,110, Durham pays below the national benchmark for this role.

Durham's cost of living is 95% 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 Durham spans from $33,250 at the 10th percentile to $93,100 at the 90th percentile — a $59,850 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $36,100, while senior museum curators with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $87,400. With a population of 283,506, Durham is a mid-sized metro with a growing job market.

Museum Curator Salary in Durham by Experience

In Durham, an entry-level museum curator earns around $36,100, while experienced professionals earn up to $87,400 per year. The local cost of living index is 95% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$36,100
$-1,900 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$58,900
$-3,100 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$87,400
$-4,600 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Durham, NC

Percentile Durham
10th Percentile $33,250
25th Percentile $41,800
Median (50th) $57,105
75th Percentile $74,100
90th Percentile $93,100

Museum Curator Salary in Other North Carolina Cities

Charlotte, NC
$58,908
Pop. 874,579
Raleigh, NC
$58,908
Pop. 467,665
Greensboro, NC
$52,897
Pop. 299,035
Winston-Salem, NC
$51,695
Pop. 249,545

How to Become a Museum Curator in Durham

Education

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

Find Museum Curator Jobs in Durham

Browse open museum curator positions in Durham, NC:

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Frequently Asked Questions: Museum Curator Salary in Durham

How much does a Museum Curator make in Durham, NC? ▼
The median museum curator salary in Durham, North Carolina is $57,105 per year, which is 5% below the national median of $60,110. Salaries range from $33,250 (10th percentile) to $93,100 (90th percentile).
How much does a Museum Curator make per hour in Durham? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $57,105, a museum curator in Durham earns approximately $27 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Durham compare to the North Carolina state average for museum curator pay? ▼
Durham's median museum curator salary of $57,105 is 3.3% above the North Carolina state average of $55,301. The local cost of living index is 95% of the national average.
What is the cost of living in Durham, NC? ▼
Durham has a cost of living index of 95% compared to the national average. This means a museum curator salary of $57,105 in Durham has more purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a museum curator in Durham? ▼
Most museum curator positions in Durham 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.