Museum Curator Salary in Grand Forks, ND: $52,897 (2026)

Museum Curator Pay in Grand Forks: What to Expect (2026)

Grand Forks offers a median museum curator salary of $52,897, which is $1,202 below the North Dakota state average of $54,099. Compared to the national median of $60,110, Grand Forks pays below the national benchmark for this role.

One of Grand Forks's biggest advantages is its low cost of living at 88% of the national average. This means the $52,897 salary stretches further here — equivalent to roughly $60,110 in an average-cost city. This makes Grand Forks an attractive option for museum curators seeking strong real-dollar compensation.

The salary range for museum curators in Grand Forks spans from $30,800 at the 10th percentile to $86,240 at the 90th percentile — a $55,440 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $33,440, while senior museum curators with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $80,960. Grand Forks is a smaller market (pop. 56,588), which may mean fewer openings but also less competition for available positions.

Museum Curator Salary in Grand Forks by Experience

In Grand Forks, an entry-level museum curator earns around $33,440, while experienced professionals earn up to $80,960 per year. The local cost of living index is 88% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)

$33,440

$-4,560 vs national

Mid Level (3-7 yrs)

$54,560

$-7,440 vs national

Senior Level (8+ yrs)

$80,960

$-11,040 vs national

Percentile	Grand Forks	ND State	National
10th Percentile	$30,800	$31,500	$35,000
25th Percentile	$38,720	$39,600	$44,000
Median (50th)	$52,897	$54,099	$60,110
75th Percentile	$68,640	$70,200	$78,000
90th Percentile	$86,240	$88,200	$98,000

Percentile

Grand Forks

10th Percentile

$30,800

25th Percentile

$38,720

Median (50th)

$52,897

75th Percentile

$68,640

90th Percentile

$86,240

How to Become a Museum Curator in Grand Forks

Education

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

Frequently Asked Questions: Museum Curator Salary in Grand Forks

How much does a Museum Curator make in Grand Forks, ND? ▼

The median museum curator salary in Grand Forks, North Dakota is $52,897 per year, which is 12% below the national median of $60,110. Salaries range from $30,800 (10th percentile) to $86,240 (90th percentile).

How much does a Museum Curator make per hour in Grand Forks? ▼

Based on the median annual salary of $52,897, a museum curator in Grand Forks earns approximately $25 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.

How does Grand Forks compare to the North Dakota state average for museum curator pay? ▼

Grand Forks's median museum curator salary of $52,897 is 2.2% below the North Dakota state average of $54,099. The local cost of living index is 88% of the national average.

What is the cost of living in Grand Forks, ND? ▼

Grand Forks has a cost of living index of 88% compared to the national average. This means a museum curator salary of $52,897 in Grand Forks has more purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.

What qualifications do I need to become a museum curator in Grand Forks? ▼

Most museum curator positions in Grand Forks 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.

Museum Curator Salary in Grand Forks, North Dakota