Creative & Education Virginia Beach, VA Pop. 449,974

Museum Curator Salary in Virginia Beach, Virginia

The median museum curator salary in Virginia Beach, VA is $61,312 per year, which is 2.0% above the national median and 1.9% below the Virginia state average.

City Median
$61,312
vs State Avg
$-1,202
vs National
+$1,202
Cost of Living
102%

Museum Curator Pay in Virginia Beach: What to Expect (2026)

Virginia Beach offers a median museum curator salary of $61,312, which is $1,202 below the Virginia state average of $62,514. Compared to the national median of $60,110, Virginia Beach pays above average for this role.

Virginia Beach's cost of living is 102% 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 Virginia Beach spans from $35,700 at the 10th percentile to $99,960 at the 90th percentile — a $64,260 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $38,760, while senior museum curators with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $93,840. With a population of 449,974, Virginia Beach is a mid-sized metro with a growing job market.

Museum Curator Salary in Virginia Beach by Experience

In Virginia Beach, an entry-level museum curator earns around $38,760, while experienced professionals earn up to $93,840 per year. The local cost of living index is 102% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$38,760
+$760 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$63,240
+$1,240 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$93,840
+$1,840 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Virginia Beach, VA

Percentile Virginia Beach
10th Percentile $35,700
25th Percentile $44,880
Median (50th) $61,312
75th Percentile $79,560
90th Percentile $99,960

Museum Curator Salary in Other Virginia Cities

Arlington, VA
$79,345
Pop. 238,643
Richmond, VA
$60,110
Pop. 226,610
Chesapeake, VA
$58,908
Pop. 249,422
Norfolk, VA
$57,706
Pop. 238,005

How to Become a Museum Curator in Virginia Beach

Education

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

Find Museum Curator Jobs in Virginia Beach

Browse open museum curator positions in Virginia Beach, VA:

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Frequently Asked Questions: Museum Curator Salary in Virginia Beach

How much does a Museum Curator make in Virginia Beach, VA? ▼
The median museum curator salary in Virginia Beach, Virginia is $61,312 per year, which is 2.0% above the national median of $60,110. Salaries range from $35,700 (10th percentile) to $99,960 (90th percentile).
How much does a Museum Curator make per hour in Virginia Beach? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $61,312, a museum curator in Virginia Beach earns approximately $29 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Virginia Beach compare to the Virginia state average for museum curator pay? ▼
Virginia Beach's median museum curator salary of $61,312 is 1.9% below the Virginia state average of $62,514. The local cost of living index is 102% of the national average.
What is the cost of living in Virginia Beach, VA? ▼
Virginia Beach has a cost of living index of 102% compared to the national average. This means a museum curator salary of $61,312 in Virginia Beach has less purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a museum curator in Virginia Beach? ▼
Most museum curator positions in Virginia Beach 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.