CFChooseField
Education

Curators

Administer collections, such as artwork, collectibles, historic items, or scientific specimens of museums or other institutions. May conduct instructional, research, or public service activities of institution.

Visual summary of pay, outlook, skills, interests, and preparation for Curators
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Median pay

$61,770
Median annual pay for Curators.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024
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10-year growth

7%
Projected employment growth from 2024 to 2034.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024–2034 projections
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Annual openings

1,800
Projected annual openings, including growth and replacement demand.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024–2034 projections
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Employment

15,100
Estimated U.S. employment for Curators in 2024.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024
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Jobs added or lost

+1,100
Projected numeric employment change from 2024 to 2034.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024–2034 projections
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Entry preparation

Master's degree
Typical education needed to enter Curators.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024 profile
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O*NET occupation profile

What the work involves

Strongest O*NET signals first.

Essential skills

  1. 1Reading Comprehension
  2. 2Speaking
  3. 3Active Listening
  4. 4Writing
  5. 5Critical Thinking
  6. 6Active Learning

Knowledge areas

  1. 1English Language
  2. 2History and Archeology
  3. 3Fine Arts
  4. 4Administration and Management
  5. 5Sociology and Anthropology
  6. 6Communications and Media

Abilities

  1. 1Oral Comprehension
  2. 2Oral Expression
  3. 3Written Comprehension
  4. 4Deductive Reasoning
  5. 5Near Vision
  6. 6Written Expression

Career interests

  1. 1Conventional
  2. 2Enterprising
  3. 3Social
  4. 4Investigative
  5. 5Artistic
  6. 6Realistic

Work styles

  1. 1Dependability
  2. 2Attention to Detail
  3. 3Intellectual Curiosity
  4. 4Innovation
  5. 5Integrity
  6. 6Achievement Orientation

Work activities

  1. 1Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events
  2. 2Documenting/Recording Information
  3. 3Getting Information
  4. 4Thinking Creatively
  5. 5Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work
  6. 6Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships

Work context

  1. 1E-Mail
  2. 2Determine Tasks, Priorities and Goals
  3. 3Telephone Conversations
  4. 4Face-to-Face Discussions with Individuals and Within Teams
  5. 5Freedom to Make Decisions
  6. 6Indoors, Environmentally Controlled

Representative tasks

  • Plan and organize the acquisition, storage, and exhibition of collections and related materials, including the selection of exhibition themes and designs, and develop or install exhibit materials.
  • Develop and maintain an institution's registration, cataloging, and basic record-keeping systems, using computer databases.
  • Plan and conduct special research projects in area of interest or expertise.
  • Provide information from the institution's holdings to other curators and to the public.
  • Negotiate and authorize purchase, sale, exchange, or loan of collections.
  • Study, examine, and test acquisitions to authenticate their origin, composition, history, and to assess their current value.
  • Inspect premises to assess the need for repairs and to ensure that climate and pest control issues are addressed.
  • Write and review grant proposals, journal articles, institutional reports, and publicity materials.

Software and tools

Microsoft PowerPoint · in demandMicrosoft Outlook · in demandMicrosoft Office software · in demandMicrosoft Excel · in demandAdobe Acrobat · hot technologySAS · hot technologyR · hot technologyPython · hot technologyPerl · hot technologyMicrosoft Word · hot technologyMicrosoft Visual Studio · hot technologyMicrosoft Access · hot technology

Sources

BLS provides national pay, employment, and projections. O*NET provides skills, interests, preparation, tasks, work context, and tools.

ChooseField compares fields using public labor-market and professional sources.