Creative & Education Richmond, VA Pop. 226,610

Museum Curator Salary in Richmond, Virginia

The median museum curator salary in Richmond, VA is $60,110 per year, which is 0.0% above the national median and 3.8% below the Virginia state average.

City Median
$60,110
vs State Avg
$-2,404
vs National
+$0
Cost of Living
100%

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

Richmond offers a median museum curator salary of $60,110, which is $2,404 below the Virginia state average of $62,514. Compared to the national median of $60,110, Richmond pays above average for this role.

Richmond's cost of living is 100% 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 Richmond spans from $35,000 at the 10th percentile to $98,000 at the 90th percentile — a $63,000 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $38,000, while senior museum curators with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $92,000. With a population of 226,610, Richmond is a mid-sized metro with a growing job market.

Museum Curator Salary in Richmond by Experience

In Richmond, an entry-level museum curator earns around $38,000, while experienced professionals earn up to $92,000 per year. The local cost of living index is 100% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$38,000
+$0 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$62,000
+$0 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$92,000
+$0 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Richmond, VA

Percentile Richmond
10th Percentile $35,000
25th Percentile $44,000
Median (50th) $60,110
75th Percentile $78,000
90th Percentile $98,000

Museum Curator Salary in Other Virginia Cities

How to Become a Museum Curator in Richmond

Education

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

Find Museum Curator Jobs in Richmond

Browse open museum curator positions in Richmond, VA:

Frequently Asked Questions: Museum Curator Salary in Richmond

How much does a Museum Curator make in Richmond, VA? ▼
The median museum curator salary in Richmond, Virginia is $60,110 per year, which is 0.0% above the national median of $60,110. Salaries range from $35,000 (10th percentile) to $98,000 (90th percentile).
How much does a Museum Curator make per hour in Richmond? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $60,110, a museum curator in Richmond earns approximately $29 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Richmond compare to the Virginia state average for museum curator pay? ▼
Richmond's median museum curator salary of $60,110 is 3.8% below the Virginia state average of $62,514. The local cost of living index is 100% of the national average.
What is the cost of living in Richmond, VA? ▼
Richmond has a cost of living index of 100% compared to the national average. This means a museum curator salary of $60,110 in Richmond has more purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a museum curator in Richmond? ▼
Most museum curator positions in Richmond 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.