Creative & Education Aberdeen, SD Pop. 28,324

Museum Curator Salary in Aberdeen, South Dakota

The median museum curator salary in Aberdeen, SD is $50,492 per year, which is 16% below the national median and 4.5% below the South Dakota state average.

City Median
$50,492
vs State Avg
$-2,405
vs National
$-9,618
Cost of Living
84%

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

Aberdeen offers a median museum curator salary of $50,492, which is $2,405 below the South Dakota state average of $52,897. Compared to the national median of $60,110, Aberdeen pays below the national benchmark for this role.

One of Aberdeen's biggest advantages is its low cost of living at 84% of the national average. This means the $50,492 salary stretches further here — equivalent to roughly $60,110 in an average-cost city. This makes Aberdeen an attractive option for museum curators seeking strong real-dollar compensation.

The salary range for museum curators in Aberdeen spans from $29,400 at the 10th percentile to $82,320 at the 90th percentile — a $52,920 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $31,920, while senior museum curators with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $77,280. Aberdeen is a smaller market (pop. 28,324), which may mean fewer openings but also less competition for available positions.

Museum Curator Salary in Aberdeen by Experience

In Aberdeen, an entry-level museum curator earns around $31,920, while experienced professionals earn up to $77,280 per year. The local cost of living index is 84% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$31,920
$-6,080 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$52,080
$-9,920 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$77,280
$-14,720 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Aberdeen, SD

Percentile Aberdeen
10th Percentile $29,400
25th Percentile $36,960
Median (50th) $50,492
75th Percentile $65,520
90th Percentile $82,320

Museum Curator Salary in Other South Dakota Cities

Sioux Falls, SD
$55,301
Pop. 192,517
Rapid City, SD
$54,099
Pop. 74,703
Brookings, SD
$51,695
Pop. 24,194
Mitchell, SD
$49,290
Pop. 15,660

How to Become a Museum Curator in Aberdeen

Education

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

Find Museum Curator Jobs in Aberdeen

Browse open museum curator positions in Aberdeen, SD:

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Frequently Asked Questions: Museum Curator Salary in Aberdeen

How much does a Museum Curator make in Aberdeen, SD? ▼
The median museum curator salary in Aberdeen, South Dakota is $50,492 per year, which is 16% below the national median of $60,110. Salaries range from $29,400 (10th percentile) to $82,320 (90th percentile).
How much does a Museum Curator make per hour in Aberdeen? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $50,492, a museum curator in Aberdeen earns approximately $24 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Aberdeen compare to the South Dakota state average for museum curator pay? ▼
Aberdeen's median museum curator salary of $50,492 is 4.5% below the South Dakota state average of $52,897. The local cost of living index is 84% of the national average.
What is the cost of living in Aberdeen, SD? ▼
Aberdeen has a cost of living index of 84% compared to the national average. This means a museum curator salary of $50,492 in Aberdeen has more purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a museum curator in Aberdeen? ▼
Most museum curator positions in Aberdeen 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.