Also called: Curator
Decides what a museum collects and displays, and tells the stories behind the objects.
Researches a newly donated collection of Civil War letters, plans an exhibit layout, writes the wall labels, and meets with designers.
BLS May 2024 (approx).
Approximate: anchored on Bureau of Labor Statistics data for a broader job group.
Master's degree, about 6 years after high school. Master's in museum studies, art history, history, or a specialty; PhD for major museums.
Ways in: 4-year college, Graduate school. Training cost: $60k – $150k.
Majors to look at: Art History, History, Museum Studies.
Growing faster than average (about 6% over 10 years). BLS 2024-34 archivists, curators & museum workers.
Low risk in 5 years, medium in 10. AI drafts labels and searches collections; choosing objects, building exhibits and telling true stories stay human.
Classes: AP Art History, AP US History, AP English Language.
Official data: O*NET occupation 25-4012.
Career Universe is an early version. Pay, training and AI-risk figures are estimates to start your own research, not verified facts. The research was written with AI research assistants, checked by validation scripts and spot-checked by hand. Check anything important with schools, employers and official sources. How the numbers work.