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Occupation · SOC 25-4012

Curators

There are 12,150 jobs in the U.S. Median pay is $63,420 a year. The most jobs are in New York–Newark–Jersey City, NY–NJ.

Education & LibraryTypical education: Master's degree
12,150
Jobs in the U.S.
People employed, May 2025
$63,420
Median pay a year
Middle half: $48,870–$83,080
1,600
Annual openings
10-year change: +4.9%
65
LCA filings, last 4 quarters

Metro areas with the highest employment

10 of 80 metro areas with BLS data for this occupation. LCA filings: Apr 2025–Mar 2026.

Metro areaEmploymentMedian payLCA filings
New York–Newark–Jersey City, NY–NJMedian pay $83,110 · LCA filings 20970$83,11020
Los Angeles–Long Beach–Anaheim, CAMedian pay $77,160 · LCA filings 5390$77,1605
Chicago–Naperville–Elgin, IL–INMedian pay $63,060 · LCA filings 5290$63,0605
Philadelphia–Camden–Wilmington, PA–NJ–DE–MDMedian pay $63,860 · LCA filings 1290$63,8601
Washington–Arlington–Alexandria, DC–VA–MD–WVMedian pay $87,400 · LCA filings 4270$87,4004
San Francisco–Oakland–Fremont, CAMedian pay $90,800 · LCA filings 3240$90,8003
Boston–Cambridge–Newton, MA–NHMedian pay $78,720 · LCA filings 4220$78,7204
Denver–Aurora–Centennial, COMedian pay $77,700 · LCA filings 1180$77,7001
San Diego–Chula Vista–Carlsbad, CAMedian pay $75,800 · LCA filings 0170$75,8000
Raleigh–Cary, NCMedian pay $65,670 · LCA filings 0160$65,6700

Metro areas with the highest median pay

Median pay for this occupation in each metro area, May 2025.

Metro areaMedian payEmploymentLCA filings
New Haven, CTEmployment 70 · LCA filings 1$102,110701
Dayton–Kettering–Beavercreek, OHEmployment 40 · LCA filings 0$94,740400
San Francisco–Oakland–Fremont, CAEmployment 240 · LCA filings 3$90,8002403
Washington–Arlington–Alexandria, DC–VA–MD–WVEmployment 270 · LCA filings 4$87,4002704
Phoenix–Mesa–Chandler, AZEmployment 70 · LCA filings 0$84,150700

Metro areas with the most LCA filings

Labor Condition Applications filed by employers with the U.S. Department of Labor, Apr 2025–Mar 2026. They’re used in the H-1B process and show filing history, not hires or current job openings.

Metro areaLCA filingsEmployers with LCA filingsEmployment
New York–Newark–Jersey City, NY–NJEmployers with LCA filings 15 · Employment 9702015970
Los Angeles–Long Beach–Anaheim, CAEmployers with LCA filings 2 · Employment 39052390
Chicago–Naperville–Elgin, IL–INEmployers with LCA filings 3 · Employment 29053290
Washington–Arlington–Alexandria, DC–VA–MD–WVEmployers with LCA filings 4 · Employment 27044270
Boston–Cambridge–Newton, MA–NHEmployers with LCA filings 1 · Employment 22041220

Prevailing wage levels (H-1B and PERM)

The minimum yearly wage by level. Level I is entry level and Level IV is fully competent; an H-1B employer must pay at least the level that fits the job.

Metro areaLevel ILevel IILevel IIILevel IV
New York–Newark–Jersey City, NY–NJLevel II $77,917 · Level III $99,694 · Level IV $121,451$56,160$77,917$99,694$121,451
Los Angeles–Long Beach–Anaheim, CALevel II $71,718 · Level III $85,218 · Level IV $98,717$58,219$71,718$85,218$98,717
Chicago–Naperville–Elgin, IL–INLevel II $59,322 · Level III $71,906 · Level IV $84,490$46,738$59,322$71,906$84,490
Philadelphia–Camden–Wilmington, PA–NJ–DE–MDLevel II $60,008 · Level III $72,280 · Level IV $84,531$47,757$60,008$72,280$84,531
Washington–Arlington–Alexandria, DC–VA–MD–WVLevel II $75,379 · Level III $92,851 · Level IV $110,323$57,907$75,379$92,851$110,323
San Francisco–Oakland–Fremont, CALevel II $83,179 · Level III $98,051 · Level IV $112,923$68,307$83,179$98,051$112,923
Boston–Cambridge–Newton, MA–NHLevel II $67,059 · Level III $83,699 · Level IV $100,318$50,440$67,059$83,699$100,318
Denver–Aurora–Centennial, COLevel II $68,952 · Level III $79,976 · Level IV $90,979$57,949$68,952$79,976$90,979
San Diego–Chula Vista–Carlsbad, CALevel II $76,253 · Level III $88,171 · Level IV $100,110$64,314$76,253$88,171$100,110
Raleigh–Cary, NCLevel II $55,390 · Level III $63,024 · Level IV $70,637$47,778$55,390$63,024$70,637

Source: U.S. Department of Labor, OFLC Online Wage Library, July 2026–June 2027.

Related majors

Majors most closely related to this occupation. International graduates: 2024–25 academic year.

MajorInternational graduatesSTEM OPT
HistoryCIP 54.01 · Usually needs more educationOPT · up to 12 months684OPT · up to 12 months
Museology/Museum StudiesCIP 30.14 · Usually needs more educationOPT · up to 12 months55OPT · up to 12 months
Fine and Studio ArtsCIP 50.07 · Usually needs more educationOPT · up to 12 months1,905OPT · up to 12 months

See Curators in every metro area

All 80 metro areas, pay in each, related majors, schools in each job market, and employers with LCA filing history.

Employers with LCA filings for this occupation

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Related occupations · Education & Library

Teaching Assistants, except PostsecondaryElementary School Teachers, except Special EducationPreschool Teachers, except Special EducationSubstitute Teachers, Short-TermSecondary School Teachers, except Special and Career/Technical EducationSelf-Enrichment TeachersMiddle School Teachers, except Special and Career/Technical EducationTutors

Sources: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 · BLS Employment Projections 2025-35 · U.S. Department of Labor LCA disclosure data, Apr 2025–Mar 2026 · IPEDS 2024–25. Prevailing wages: U.S. Department of Labor, OFLC Online Wage Library, July 2026–June 2027. Methodology