Creative & Education Columbia, SC Pop. 131,674

Museum Curator Salary in Columbia, South Carolina

The median museum curator salary in Columbia, SC is $54,099 per year, which is 10% below the national median and 1.1% above the South Carolina state average.

City Median
$54,099
vs State Avg
+$601
vs National
$-6,011
Cost of Living
90%

Museum Curator Salary in Columbia by Experience

In Columbia, 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 Columbia, SC

Percentile Columbia
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 South Carolina Cities

Mount Pleasant, SC
$63,116
Pop. 94,171
Charleston, SC
$60,110
Pop. 150,227
North Charleston, SC
$57,105
Pop. 115,382
Greenville, SC
$55,301
Pop. 72,095

How to Become a Museum Curator in Columbia

Education

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