Creative & Education Knoxville, TN Pop. 190,740

Museum Curator Salary in Knoxville, Tennessee

The median museum curator salary in Knoxville, TN is $52,897 per year, which is 12% below the national median and 1.1% below the Tennessee state average.

City Median
$52,897
vs State Avg
$-601
vs National
$-7,213
Cost of Living
88%

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

Knoxville offers a median museum curator salary of $52,897, which is $601 below the Tennessee state average of $53,498. Compared to the national median of $60,110, Knoxville pays below the national benchmark for this role.

One of Knoxville'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 Knoxville an attractive option for museum curators seeking strong real-dollar compensation.

The salary range for museum curators in Knoxville 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. With a population of 190,740, Knoxville is a mid-sized metro with a growing job market.

Museum Curator Salary in Knoxville by Experience

In Knoxville, 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

Salary Percentiles in Knoxville, TN

Percentile Knoxville
10th Percentile $30,800
25th Percentile $38,720
Median (50th) $52,897
75th Percentile $68,640
90th Percentile $86,240

Museum Curator Salary in Other Tennessee Cities

Nashville, TN
$60,110
Pop. 689,447
Murfreesboro, TN
$55,301
Pop. 152,769
Chattanooga, TN
$52,897
Pop. 181,099
Memphis, TN
$51,695
Pop. 633,104

How to Become a Museum Curator in Knoxville

Education

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

Find Museum Curator Jobs in Knoxville

Browse open museum curator positions in Knoxville, TN:

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Frequently Asked Questions: Museum Curator Salary in Knoxville

How much does a Museum Curator make in Knoxville, TN? ▼
The median museum curator salary in Knoxville, Tennessee 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 Knoxville? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $52,897, a museum curator in Knoxville earns approximately $25 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Knoxville compare to the Tennessee state average for museum curator pay? ▼
Knoxville's median museum curator salary of $52,897 is 1.1% below the Tennessee state average of $53,498. The local cost of living index is 88% of the national average.
What is the cost of living in Knoxville, TN? ▼
Knoxville has a cost of living index of 88% compared to the national average. This means a museum curator salary of $52,897 in Knoxville has more purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a museum curator in Knoxville? ▼
Most museum curator positions in Knoxville 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.