Career Overview
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.
Also Known As
- Collections Curator
- Collections Manager
- Curator
- Museum Curator
Alternate Job Titles
- Art Curator
- Art Handler
- Coin Collector
- Collections Curator
- Collections Manager
- Content Curator
- Curator
- Data Curator
- Digital Curator
- Education Curator
- Educational Institution Curator
- Educational Resource Coordinator
- Exhibitions Curator
- Exhibits Curator
- Field Collector
What You'll Do
In this role, your typical responsibilities include:
- 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.
Knowledge You'll Use
You'll need solid knowledge in these areas:
- English Language
- History and Archeology
- Fine Arts
Essential Skills
Success in this career requires strong skills in:
- Reading Comprehension
- Speaking
- Active Listening
- Writing
- Critical Thinking
- Complex Problem Solving
Key Abilities
This career requires key abilities in:
- Oral Comprehension
- Oral Expression
- Written Comprehension
- Written Expression
- Near Vision
- Deductive Reasoning
- Inductive Reasoning
- Category Flexibility
- Speech Clarity
- Speech Recognition
Work Style
People who excel in this career typically demonstrate:
- Dependability
- Attention to Detail
- Intellectual Curiosity
- Innovation
- Integrity
What Matters in This Career
This career tends to satisfy these work values:
- Independence
- Achievement
- Working Conditions
- Recognition
- Relationships
Education & Preparation
Typical Education: Master's Degree
Related Work Experience Needed: Over 4 years, up to and including 6 years
On-the-Job Training: Over 6 months, up to and including 1 year
Education Details: Most of these occupations require graduate school. For example, they may require a master's degree, and some require a Ph.D., M.D., or J.D. (law degree).
Experience Required: Extensive skill, knowledge, and experience are needed for these occupations. Many require more than five years of experience. For example, surgeons must complete four years of college and an additional five to seven years of specialized medical training to be able to do their job.
Technology You'll Use
Popular Technologies & Software
- Adobe Acrobat
- Adobe Creative Cloud software
- Adobe Illustrator
- Adobe InDesign
- Adobe Photoshop
- Apple macOS
- Autodesk AutoCAD
- Extensible markup language XML
- Linux
Tools & Equipment
- Claw hammers
- Desktop computers
- Digital cameras
- Digitizers
- Handheld digital thermometers
- Laptop computers
- Light meters
- Mat cutters
- Paint brushes
- Personal computers
- Power drills
- Precision knives
- Precision levels
- Precision rulers
- Scanners
Work Environment
- Determine Tasks, Priorities and Goals
- Telephone Conversations
- Face-to-Face Discussions with Individuals and Within Teams
- Freedom to Make Decisions
Salary & Job Market
| Salary Percentile | Annual Wage |
|---|---|
| Entry-Level (10th percentile) | $37,110 |
| Median | $61,770 |
| Top Earners (90th percentile) | $105,520 |
Workers Employed Nationally: 12,280
Related Careers
If you're interested in this career, you might also consider:
Archivists
Education: Master's Degree
Median Salary: $61,570
Historians
Education: Master's Degree
Median Salary: $74,050
Museum Technicians and Conservators
Education: Master's Degree
Median Salary: $47,460
Librarians and Media Collections Specialists
Education: Master's Degree
Median Salary: $64,320
Anthropology and Archeology Teachers, Postsecondary
Education: Doctoral Degree
Median Salary: $95,770
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Occupational data sourced from the O*NET OnLine database, developed by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration. Wage data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), 2024.