U.S. Federal Government (non-Defense) / Smithsonian Institution / Museum Curator

Job-title file

Museum Curator

Carry out the duties of this position in support of the agency's public mission.

134 employees hold this title in Smithsonian Institution. Median total compensation for the role is $145,489, above the department median of $91,039.

Employees: 134
Total payroll: $20M
Role median: $145,489
Agency median: $91,039
Comparison: Above

What the records show

Role pay distribution

Pay distribution for this role

$72,965$206,275+

Hover a bar for its range; click to filter the list below.

How total compensation varies among the 134 people in this role. Even for one job title, pay differs with seniority, step, overtime, and tenure. Each bar is a pay range; the far-right bar collects the highest earners.

Compared with the local labor market

Museum Curator pay vs. the United States

Across all employers in the United States, the median wage for Curators — about 12,150 people — is $63,420. Smithsonian Institution pays a median base salary of $145,489 for this role, 129% above that figure — above the 90th percentile of local pay for the occupation.

Where Smithsonian Institution sits in the local pay range

10th

25th

Median

75th

90th

$40,470

$48,870

$63,420

$83,080

$107,140

Smithsonian Institution median · $145,489

The bar is the range of annual wages for Curators across every employer in the United States, from the 10th to the 90th percentile, with the middle 50% highlighted. The marker shows Smithsonian Institution’s median base salary for this role. Both figures are base pay only.

Median total compensation for this role at Smithsonian Institution is $145,489, which includes overtime and employer-paid benefits. The benchmark above excludes both, so total compensation is deliberately not compared against it.

Benchmark: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025). BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) covers all employers in the area — private, non-profit, and government alike — so this is a comparison against the whole local labor market for the occupation, not against private-sector pay. OEWS wages are straight-time pay and exclude overtime, shift differentials, and employer-paid benefits, so the government figure shown here is base pay on the same basis. Total compensation is not comparable to it. Job titles are matched to the closest standard occupation, so the comparison is between similar work rather than an identical job classification.

Compare departments

This role across U.S. Federal Government (non-Defense)

Museum Curator is held in 11 U.S. Federal Government (non-Defense) departments. In Smithsonian Institution, the median of $145,489 ranks #5 of 11.

Highest-paying departments for this role

U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum

$181,216 · 4

Department of State

$152,093 · 12

Department of Veterans Affairs

$150,713 · 1

Department of Treasury

$149,422 · 3

Department of Commerce

$144,127 · 1

Presidio Trust

$133,864 · 1

Nat Archives and Records Administration

$127,902 · 12

Department of Health and Human Services

$123,478 · 4

Department of Homeland Security

$114,078 · 2

Department of Interior

$94,317 · 168

Median total compensation for the Museum Curator role in other U.S. Federal Government (non-Defense)departments (highest first). Each bar links to that department’s page for this role.

Compare jurisdictions

Museum Curator beyond U.S. Federal Government (non-Defense)

This role is reported in 3 jurisdictions. In U.S. Federal Government (non-Defense), the median of $117,681 ranks #1 of 3. See Museum Curator across all of U.S. Federal Government (non-Defense) →

Highest-paying jurisdictions for this role

California

$77,573 · 30

Tennessee

$60,441 · 6

Median total compensation for comparable Museum Curatorroles in other jurisdictions. Titles are matched by normalized name across sources, not identical job classification, and pay is not cost-of-living adjusted. Each bar links to that jurisdiction’s page for the role.

Record list

Employees with this title

Page 1

Alexandra Lord

Museum Curator/Smithsonian Institution

2024 total comp

$192,339

Sub-department: Smithsonian Inst (Exc Sep Brds of Trust)
Base pay: $191,900
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $439
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $192,339
Pay grade: 15
Work city: Washington
Work county: District of Columbia
Work state: District of Columbia

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $191,900
Basic Pay (before locality): $147,647
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 110010001
Length of Service (Years): 22
Occupation Code (OPM): 1015
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Alexandra Lord is a Museum Curator at Smithsonian Institution based in Washington, District of Columbia. 2024 total compensation came to $192,339. They are classified at grade 15.

Elaine Nichols

Museum Curator/Smithsonian Institution

2024 total comp

$191,900

Sub-department: Smithsonian Inst (Exc Sep Brds of Trust)
Base pay: $191,900
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $191,900
Pay grade: 15
Work city: Washington
Work county: District of Columbia
Work state: District of Columbia

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $191,900
Basic Pay (before locality): $151,748
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 110010001
Length of Service (Years): 14
Occupation Code (OPM): 1015
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Elaine Nichols is a Museum Curator at Smithsonian Institution based in Washington, District of Columbia. 2024 total compensation came to $191,900. They are classified at grade 15.

Fath Ruffins

Museum Curator/Smithsonian Institution

2024 total comp

$191,900

Sub-department: Smithsonian Inst (Exc Sep Brds of Trust)
Base pay: $191,900
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $191,900
Pay grade: 15
Work city: Washington
Work county: District of Columbia
Work state: District of Columbia

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $191,900
Basic Pay (before locality): $155,849
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 110010001
Length of Service (Years): 41
Occupation Code (OPM): 1015
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

At Smithsonian Institution, Fath Ruffins serves as a Museum Curator based in Washington, District of Columbia. Their 2024 pay totaled $191,900. They are classified at grade 15.

Jeffrey Stine

Museum Curator/Smithsonian Institution

2024 total comp

$191,900

Sub-department: Smithsonian Inst (Exc Sep Brds of Trust)
Base pay: $191,900
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $191,900
Pay grade: 15
Work city: Washington
Work county: District of Columbia
Work state: District of Columbia

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $191,900
Basic Pay (before locality): $159,950
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 110010001
Length of Service (Years): 35
Occupation Code (OPM): 1015
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Jeffrey Stine holds the role of Museum Curator at Smithsonian Institution based in Washington, District of Columbia. In 2024, their total compensation was $191,900. Their pay grade is 15.

Jennifer Jones

Museum Curator/Smithsonian Institution

2024 total comp

$191,900

Sub-department: Smithsonian Inst (Exc Sep Brds of Trust)
Base pay: $191,900
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $191,900
Pay grade: 15
Work city: Washington
Work county: District of Columbia
Work state: District of Columbia

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $191,900
Basic Pay (before locality): $155,849
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 110010001
Length of Service (Years): 31
Occupation Code (OPM): 1015
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Jennifer Jones works as a Museum Curator for Smithsonian Institution based in Washington, District of Columbia. Jennifer earned $191,900 in 2024. Their pay grade is 15.

Nancy Anderson

Museum Curator/Smithsonian Institution

2024 total comp

$191,900

Sub-department: National Gallery of Art
Base pay: $191,900
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $191,900
Pay grade: 15
Work city: Washington
Work county: District of Columbia
Work state: District of Columbia

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $191,900
Basic Pay (before locality): $147,647
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 110010001
Length of Service (Years): 35
Occupation Code (OPM): 1015
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

At Smithsonian Institution, Nancy Anderson serves as a Museum Curator based in Washington, District of Columbia. Their 2024 pay totaled $191,900. They are classified at grade 15.

Virginia Mecklenburg

Museum Curator/Smithsonian Institution

2024 total comp

$191,900

Sub-department: Smithsonian Inst (Exc Sep Brds of Trust)
Base pay: $191,900
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $191,900
Pay grade: 15
Work city: Washington
Work county: District of Columbia
Work state: District of Columbia

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $191,900
Basic Pay (before locality): $159,950
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 110010001
Length of Service (Years): 44
Occupation Code (OPM): 1015
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

At Smithsonian Institution, Virginia Mecklenburg serves as a Museum Curator based in Washington, District of Columbia. Their 2024 pay totaled $191,900. They are classified at grade 15.

Katherine Ott

Museum Curator/Smithsonian Institution

2024 total comp

$191,900

Sub-department: Smithsonian Inst (Exc Sep Brds of Trust)
Base pay: $191,900
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $191,900
Pay grade: 15
Work city: Washington
Work county: District of Columbia
Work state: District of Columbia

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $191,900
Basic Pay (before locality): $147,647
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 110010001
Length of Service (Years): 26
Occupation Code (OPM): 1015
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Katherine Ott works as a Museum Curator for Smithsonian Institution based in Washington, District of Columbia. Katherine earned $191,900 in 2024. Their pay grade is 15.

Kenneth Slowik

Museum Curator/Smithsonian Institution

2024 total comp

$191,900

Sub-department: Smithsonian Inst (Exc Sep Brds of Trust)
Base pay: $191,900
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $191,900
Pay grade: 15
Work city: Washington
Work county: District of Columbia
Work state: District of Columbia

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $191,900
Basic Pay (before locality): $159,950
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 110010001
Length of Service (Years): 40
Occupation Code (OPM): 1015
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

At Smithsonian Institution, Kenneth Slowik serves as a Museum Curator based in Washington, District of Columbia. Their 2024 pay totaled $191,900. They are classified at grade 15.

Barbara Smith

Museum Curator/Smithsonian Institution

2024 total comp

$191,900

Sub-department: Smithsonian Inst (Exc Sep Brds of Trust)
Base pay: $191,900
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $191,900
Pay grade: 15
Work city: Washington
Work county: District of Columbia
Work state: District of Columbia

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $191,900
Basic Pay (before locality): $159,950
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 110010001
Length of Service (Years): 41
Occupation Code (OPM): 1015
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Barbara Smith is a Museum Curator at Smithsonian Institution based in Washington, District of Columbia. 2024 total compensation came to $191,900. They are classified at grade 15.

Carlene Stephens

Museum Curator/Smithsonian Institution

2024 total comp

$191,900

Sub-department: Smithsonian Inst (Exc Sep Brds of Trust)
Base pay: $191,900
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $191,900
Pay grade: 15
Work city: Washington
Work county: District of Columbia
Work state: District of Columbia

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $191,900
Basic Pay (before locality): $159,950
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 110010001
Length of Service (Years): 50
Occupation Code (OPM): 1015
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

At Smithsonian Institution, Carlene Stephens serves as a Museum Curator based in Washington, District of Columbia. Their 2024 pay totaled $191,900. They are classified at grade 15.

Frank Van Der Linden

Museum Curator/Smithsonian Institution

2024 total comp

$191,900

Sub-department: Smithsonian Inst (Exc Sep Brds of Trust)
Base pay: $191,900
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $191,900
Pay grade: 15
Work city: Washington
Work county: District of Columbia
Work state: District of Columbia

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $191,900
Basic Pay (before locality): $159,950
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 110010001
Length of Service (Years): 46
Occupation Code (OPM): 1015
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Frank Van Der Linden works as a Museum Curator for Smithsonian Institution based in Washington, District of Columbia. Frank earned $191,900 in 2024. Their pay grade is 15.

Deborah Warner

Museum Curator/Smithsonian Institution

2024 total comp

$191,900

Sub-department: Smithsonian Inst (Exc Sep Brds of Trust)
Base pay: $191,900
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $191,900
Pay grade: 15
Work city: Washington
Work county: District of Columbia
Work state: District of Columbia

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $191,900
Basic Pay (before locality): $159,950
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 110010001
Length of Service (Years): 60
Occupation Code (OPM): 1015
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

At Smithsonian Institution, Deborah Warner serves as a Museum Curator based in Washington, District of Columbia. Their 2024 pay totaled $191,900. They are classified at grade 15.

Mary Morton

Museum Curator/Smithsonian Institution

2024 total comp

$191,289

Sub-department: National Gallery of Art
Base pay: $191,289
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $191,289
Pay grade: 15
Work city: Washington
Work county: District of Columbia
Work state: District of Columbia

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $191,289
Basic Pay (before locality): $143,546
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 110010001
Length of Service (Years): 14
Occupation Code (OPM): 1015
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Mary Morton holds the role of Museum Curator at Smithsonian Institution based in Washington, District of Columbia. In 2024, their total compensation was $191,289. Their pay grade is 15.

Peggy Kidwell

Museum Curator/Smithsonian Institution

2024 total comp

$191,289

Sub-department: Smithsonian Inst (Exc Sep Brds of Trust)
Base pay: $191,289
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $191,289
Pay grade: 15
Work city: Washington
Work county: District of Columbia
Work state: District of Columbia

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $191,289
Basic Pay (before locality): $143,546
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 110010001
Length of Service (Years): 39
Occupation Code (OPM): 1015
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

At Smithsonian Institution, Peggy Kidwell serves as a Museum Curator based in Washington, District of Columbia. Their 2024 pay totaled $191,289. They are classified at grade 15.

Russell Lee

Museum Curator/Smithsonian Institution

2024 total comp

$191,289

Sub-department: Smithsonian Inst (Exc Sep Brds of Trust)
Base pay: $191,289
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $191,289
Pay grade: 15
Work city: Washington
Work county: District of Columbia
Work state: District of Columbia

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $191,289
Basic Pay (before locality): $143,546
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 110010001
Length of Service (Years): 41
Occupation Code (OPM): 1015
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Russell Lee works as a Museum Curator for Smithsonian Institution based in Washington, District of Columbia. Russell earned $191,289 in 2024. Their pay grade is 15.

Dwandalyn Reece

Museum Curator/Smithsonian Institution

2024 total comp

$188,908

Sub-department: Smithsonian Inst (Exc Sep Brds of Trust)
Base pay: $188,908
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $188,908
Pay grade: 00
Work city: Washington
Work county: District of Columbia
Work state: District of Columbia

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $188,908
Basic Pay (before locality): $188,908
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 110010001
Length of Service (Years): 24
Occupation Code (OPM): 1015
Pay Plan (OPM): SL

At Smithsonian Institution, Dwandalyn Reece serves as a Museum Curator based in Washington, District of Columbia. Their 2024 pay totaled $188,908. They are classified at grade 00.