Curators Salary in Des Moines, IA

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA

Median annual salary $48,600 -21.3% vs national
Median hourly $23.36
10th percentile $35,410
90th percentile $98,600
Employed locally 40
National median $61,770

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Curators
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Des Moines, IA
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $35,410
    25th
    $43,960
    50th (median)
    $48,600
    75th
    $75,870
    90th
    $98,600

    Des Moines economic context

    Unemployment rate 3.00% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $84,209 2023 • Census ACS
    Curators salary vs area income 58% Median Curators salary is 42% below the area median household income

    Top-paying metros for Curators

    Metro areaMedian salary
    New Haven, CT $97,820
    Ann Arbor, MI $97,090
    Dayton-Kettering-Beavercreek, OH $96,640
    San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA $94,110
    San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $90,290
    New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ $86,420

    Nearby metros — Curators salary comparison

    Metro areaMedian salary
    District of Columbia $81,990
    Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV $80,300
    Omaha, NE-IA $79,420
    California $78,710
    Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA $71,380
    Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO $71,040

    Related occupations in Des Moines, IA

    OccupationMedian salary
    Teaching Assistants, Except Postsecondary $33,280
    Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education $57,060
    Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education $59,950
    Substitute Teachers, Short-Term $38,760
    Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education $30,230
    Middle School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education $59,180

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Curators make per hour in Des Moines?

    The median hourly wage for Curators in Des Moines, IA is $23.36, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $47.41 or more per hour.

    Is Des Moines above or below average for Curators salaries?

    The median Curators salary in Des Moines, IA is 21.3% below the national median of $61,770. The national figure is from BLS OEWS 2025 data covering all US metropolitan areas.

    What is the entry-level salary for Curators in Des Moines?

    Entry-level Curators (10th percentile) earn around $35,410 per year in Des Moines, IA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $43,960.