Curator salary in Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI
Curators in the Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI metro area earn a median of $66,310 a year ($31.88 an hour), based on BLS data for 80 workers.
Pay ranges from $43,210 for the lowest-paid 10% to $91,220 for the top 10%. That is 5% higher than the national median of $63,420. Pay here is 3% higher than the Wisconsin statewide median of $64,370. There are 0.10 curators per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.3× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $70,890, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for curators in Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $43,210 | $20.78 |
| 25th percentile | $59,050 | $28.39 |
| Median | $66,310 | $31.88 |
| 75th percentile | $76,400 | $36.73 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $91,220 | $43.86 |
| Average (mean) | $70,890 | $34.08 |
Half of curators earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $5,525.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,762.92 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,550.38 |
| Weekly | $1,275.19 |
| Hourly | $31.88 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $66,310 salary, see how much house you can afford in Wisconsin at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Curator salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI | $72,760 | 120 |
| Madison, WI | $68,060 | 80 |
Highest-paying states for curators
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $93,310 |
| New Hampshire | $82,490 |
| New York | $79,120 |
| California | $78,740 |
| Rhode Island | $77,930 |
| New Jersey | $77,800 |
| Massachusetts | $77,790 |
| Connecticut | $76,510 |
| South Dakota | $74,990 |
| Washington | $74,030 |
See Curator pay in every state or the Wisconsin statewide figures.
Related jobs in Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Library Technician | $37,860 | $18.20 |
| Librarians and Media Collections Specialists | $74,240 | $35.69 |
| Archivist | $59,620 | $28.66 |
| Museum Technicians and Conservators | $45,050 | $21.66 |
| Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education | $61,480 | — |
| Teaching Assistants, Except Postsecondary | $38,060 | — |
| Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education | $75,370 | — |
| Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education | $36,240 | $17.43 |
| Middle School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education | $64,360 | — |
| Self-Enrichment Teacher | $41,960 | $20.17 |
| Substitute Teachers, Short-Term | $46,190 | $22.21 |
| Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary | $82,340 | — |
| Teaching Assistants, Postsecondary | $30,670 | — |
| Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten and Elementary School | $62,110 | — |
More: Educational Instruction and Library Occupations · all salaries in Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 25-4012. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a curator make in Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI?
The median salary for curators in the Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI metro area is $66,310 a year, or $31.88 an hour. Pay ranges from $43,210 for the lowest-paid 10% to $91,220 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid curators make in Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI?
The top 10% of curators in the Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI metro area earn at least $91,220 a year. The top 25% earn $76,400 or more.
What is the starting pay for curators in Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $43,210 a year, and a quarter of curators earn $59,050 or less.
How many curators work in Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI?
About 80 curators are employed in the Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI metro area, not counting the self-employed.