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 4

Walter Forsberg

Museum Curator/Smithsonian Institution

2024 total comp

$107,590

Sub-department: Smithsonian Inst (Exc Sep Brds of Trust)
Base pay: $107,590
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $107,590
Pay grade: 11
Work city: Washington
Work county: District of Columbia
Work state: District of Columbia

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $107,590
Basic Pay (before locality): $80,737
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 110010001
Length of Service (Years): 3
Occupation Code (OPM): 1015
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Walter Forsberg is a Museum Curator at Smithsonian Institution based in Washington, District of Columbia. 2024 total compensation came to $107,590. They are classified at grade 11.

Roger Sherman

Museum Curator/Smithsonian Institution

2024 total comp

$107,590

Sub-department: Smithsonian Inst (Exc Sep Brds of Trust)
Base pay: $107,590
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $107,590
Pay grade: 11
Work city: Washington
Work county: District of Columbia
Work state: District of Columbia

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $107,590
Basic Pay (before locality): $80,737
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 110010001
Length of Service (Years): 44
Occupation Code (OPM): 1015
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Roger Sherman works as a Museum Curator for Smithsonian Institution based in Washington, District of Columbia. Roger earned $107,590 in 2024. Their pay grade is 11.

Saisha Grayson

Museum Curator/Smithsonian Institution

2024 total comp

$105,812

Sub-department: Smithsonian Inst (Exc Sep Brds of Trust)
Base pay: $105,812
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $105,812
Pay grade: 12
Work city: Washington
Work county: District of Columbia
Work state: District of Columbia

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $105,812
Basic Pay (before locality): $79,403
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 110010001
Length of Service (Years): 6
Occupation Code (OPM): 1015
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Saisha Grayson holds the role of Museum Curator at Smithsonian Institution based in Washington, District of Columbia. In 2024, their total compensation was $105,812. Their pay grade is 12.

Laura Johnson

Museum Curator/Smithsonian Institution

2024 total comp

$105,812

Sub-department: Smithsonian Inst (Exc Sep Brds of Trust)
Base pay: $105,812
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $105,812
Pay grade: 12
Work city: Washington
Work county: District of Columbia
Work state: District of Columbia

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $105,812
Basic Pay (before locality): $79,403
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 110010001
Length of Service (Years): 0
Occupation Code (OPM): 1015
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Laura Johnson holds the role of Museum Curator at Smithsonian Institution based in Washington, District of Columbia. In 2024, their total compensation was $105,812. Their pay grade is 12.

Emily Pegues

Museum Curator/Smithsonian Institution

2024 total comp

$105,812

Sub-department: National Gallery of Art
Base pay: $105,812
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $105,812
Pay grade: 12
Work city: Washington
Work county: District of Columbia
Work state: District of Columbia

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $105,812
Basic Pay (before locality): $79,403
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 110010001
Length of Service (Years): 19
Occupation Code (OPM): 1015
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Emily Pegues works as a Museum Curator for Smithsonian Institution based in Washington, District of Columbia. Emily earned $105,812 in 2024. Their pay grade is 12.

Ryan Lintelman

Museum Curator/Smithsonian Institution

2024 total comp

$102,506

Sub-department: Smithsonian Inst (Exc Sep Brds of Trust)
Base pay: $102,506
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $102,506
Pay grade: 12
Work city: Washington
Work county: District of Columbia
Work state: District of Columbia

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $102,506
Basic Pay (before locality): $76,922
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 110010001
Length of Service (Years): 7
Occupation Code (OPM): 1015
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

At Smithsonian Institution, Ryan Lintelman serves as a Museum Curator based in Washington, District of Columbia. Their 2024 pay totaled $102,506. They are classified at grade 12.

Andrew Mcgee

Museum Curator/Smithsonian Institution

2024 total comp

$102,506

Sub-department: Smithsonian Inst (Exc Sep Brds of Trust)
Base pay: $102,506
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $102,506
Pay grade: 12
Work city: Washington
Work county: District of Columbia
Work state: District of Columbia

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $102,506
Basic Pay (before locality): $76,922
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 110010001
Length of Service (Years): 1
Occupation Code (OPM): 1015
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

At Smithsonian Institution, Andrew Mcgee serves as a Museum Curator based in Washington, District of Columbia. Their 2024 pay totaled $102,506. They are classified at grade 12.

Christina Deleon

Museum Curator/Smithsonian Institution

2024 total comp

$101,599

Sub-department: Smithsonian Inst (Exc Sep Brds of Trust)
Base pay: $96,599
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $5,000
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $101,599
Pay grade: 11
Work city: New York - New York
Work county: New York
Work state: New York

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $96,599
Basic Pay (before locality): $70,387
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 364170061
Length of Service (Years): 7
Occupation Code (OPM): 1015
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

At Smithsonian Institution, Christina Deleon serves as a Museum Curator based in New York - New York, New York. Their 2024 pay totaled $101,599. They are classified at grade 11.

Caitlin Condell

Museum Curator/Smithsonian Institution

2024 total comp

$99,440

Sub-department: Smithsonian Inst (Exc Sep Brds of Trust)
Base pay: $99,440
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $99,440
Pay grade: 11
Work city: New York - New York
Work county: New York
Work state: New York

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $99,440
Basic Pay (before locality): $72,457
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 364170061
Length of Service (Years): 6
Occupation Code (OPM): 1015
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Caitlin Condell holds the role of Museum Curator at Smithsonian Institution based in New York - New York, New York. In 2024, their total compensation was $99,440. Their pay grade is 11.

Andrew Sears

Museum Curator/Smithsonian Institution

2024 total comp

$96,556

Sub-department: National Gallery of Art
Base pay: $96,556
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $96,556
Pay grade: 11
Work city: Washington
Work county: District of Columbia
Work state: District of Columbia

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $96,556
Basic Pay (before locality): $72,457
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 110010001
Length of Service (Years): 0
Occupation Code (OPM): 1015
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

At Smithsonian Institution, Andrew Sears serves as a Museum Curator based in Washington, District of Columbia. Their 2024 pay totaled $96,556. They are classified at grade 11.

Colleen Anderson

Museum Curator/Smithsonian Institution

2024 total comp

$91,039

Sub-department: Smithsonian Inst (Exc Sep Brds of Trust)
Base pay: $91,039
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $91,039
Pay grade: 11
Work city: Washington
Work county: District of Columbia
Work state: District of Columbia

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $91,039
Basic Pay (before locality): $68,317
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 110010001
Length of Service (Years): 2
Occupation Code (OPM): 1015
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Colleen Anderson is a Museum Curator at Smithsonian Institution based in Washington, District of Columbia. 2024 total compensation came to $91,039. They are classified at grade 11.

Elizabeth Johnson

Museum Curator/Smithsonian Institution

2024 total comp

$91,039

Sub-department: Smithsonian Inst (Exc Sep Brds of Trust)
Base pay: $91,039
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $91,039
Pay grade: 11
Work city: Washington
Work county: District of Columbia
Work state: District of Columbia

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $91,039
Basic Pay (before locality): $68,317
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 110010001
Length of Service (Years): 6
Occupation Code (OPM): 1015
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Elizabeth Johnson works as a Museum Curator for Smithsonian Institution based in Washington, District of Columbia. Elizabeth earned $91,039 in 2024. Their pay grade is 11.

Reynolds Kapuni

Museum Curator/Smithsonian Institution

2024 total comp

$90,662

Sub-department: Smithsonian Inst (Exc Sep Brds of Trust)
Base pay: $90,662
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $90,662
Pay grade: 12
Work city: Hilo
Work county: Hawaii
Work state: Hawaii

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $90,662
Basic Pay (before locality): $74,441
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 151900001
Length of Service (Years): 0
Occupation Code (OPM): 1015
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Reynolds Kapuni is a Museum Curator at Smithsonian Institution based in Hilo, Hawaii. 2024 total compensation came to $90,662. They are classified at grade 12.

Caitlin Greenhill

Museum Curator/Smithsonian Institution

2024 total comp

$72,965

Sub-department: Smithsonian Inst (Exc Sep Brds of Trust)
Base pay: $72,965
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $72,965
Pay grade: 09
Work city: Washington
Work county: District of Columbia
Work state: District of Columbia

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $72,965
Basic Pay (before locality): $54,754
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 110010001
Length of Service (Years): 1
Occupation Code (OPM): 1015
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Caitlin Greenhill works as a Museum Curator for Smithsonian Institution based in Washington, District of Columbia. Caitlin earned $72,965 in 2024. Their pay grade is 09.