Creative & Education Chesapeake, VA Pop. 249,422

Museum Curator Salary in Chesapeake, Virginia

The median museum curator salary in Chesapeake, VA is $58,908 per year, which is 2% below the national median and 5.8% below the Virginia state average.

City Median
$58,908
vs State Avg
$-3,606
vs National
$-1,202
Cost of Living
98%

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

Chesapeake offers a median museum curator salary of $58,908, which is $3,606 below the Virginia state average of $62,514. Compared to the national median of $60,110, Chesapeake pays below the national benchmark for this role.

Chesapeake's cost of living is 98% 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 Chesapeake spans from $34,300 at the 10th percentile to $96,040 at the 90th percentile — a $61,740 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $37,240, while senior museum curators with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $90,160. With a population of 249,422, Chesapeake is a mid-sized metro with a growing job market.

Museum Curator Salary in Chesapeake by Experience

In Chesapeake, an entry-level museum curator earns around $37,240, while experienced professionals earn up to $90,160 per year. The local cost of living index is 98% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$37,240
$-760 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$60,760
$-1,240 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$90,160
$-1,840 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Chesapeake, VA

Percentile Chesapeake
10th Percentile $34,300
25th Percentile $43,120
Median (50th) $58,908
75th Percentile $76,440
90th Percentile $96,040

Museum Curator Salary in Other Virginia Cities

Arlington, VA
$79,345
Pop. 238,643
Virginia Beach, VA
$61,312
Pop. 449,974
Richmond, VA
$60,110
Pop. 226,610
Norfolk, VA
$57,706
Pop. 238,005

How to Become a Museum Curator in Chesapeake

Education

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

Find Museum Curator Jobs in Chesapeake

Browse open museum curator positions in Chesapeake, VA:

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Frequently Asked Questions: Museum Curator Salary in Chesapeake

How much does a Museum Curator make in Chesapeake, VA? ▼
The median museum curator salary in Chesapeake, Virginia is $58,908 per year, which is 2% below the national median of $60,110. Salaries range from $34,300 (10th percentile) to $96,040 (90th percentile).
How much does a Museum Curator make per hour in Chesapeake? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $58,908, a museum curator in Chesapeake earns approximately $28 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Chesapeake compare to the Virginia state average for museum curator pay? ▼
Chesapeake's median museum curator salary of $58,908 is 5.8% below the Virginia state average of $62,514. The local cost of living index is 98% of the national average.
What is the cost of living in Chesapeake, VA? ▼
Chesapeake has a cost of living index of 98% compared to the national average. This means a museum curator salary of $58,908 in Chesapeake has more purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a museum curator in Chesapeake? ▼
Most museum curator positions in Chesapeake 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.