The income of curators in different countries of the world
The income of curators in important countries of the world depends on various factors such as experience, education, location, and type of gallery. However, in general, it can be said that curatorial income is higher in developed countries than in developing countries.
The table below shows the minimum and maximum income of curators in important countries of the world.
These figures are compiled based on data from Indeed and Glassdoor websites. The minimum income is usually intended for novice curators or curators working in smaller galleries and the maximum income is intended for senior and experienced curators or curators working in larger galleries.
| Country | Minimum income (Indeed) | Maximum income (Indeed) | Average income (Indeed) | Minimum income (Glassdoor) | Maximum income (Glassdoor) | Average income (Glassdoor) |
| United States | 35,000 $ | 120,000 $ | 65,000 $ | 40,000 $ | 150,000 $ | 80,000 $ |
| England | 25,000 pounds | 70,000 pounds | 45,000 pounds | 30,000 pounds | 90,000 pounds | 60,000 pounds |
| France | 20,000 euros | 60,000 euros | 40,000 euros | 25,000 euros | 80,000 euros | 50,000 euros |
| Germany | 25,000 euros | 60,000 euros | 45,000 euros | 30,000 euros | 80,000 euros | 55,000 euros |
| Italy | 20,000 euros | 50,000 euros | 35,000 euros | 25,000 euros | 75,000 euros | 45,000 euros |
| China | 10,000 yuan | 40,000 yuan | 25,000 yuan | 15,000 yuan | 60,000 yuan | 35,000 yuan |
| Japan | 300,000 yen | 1,000,000 yen | 550,000 yen | 400,000 yen | 1,500,000 yen | 750,000 yen |
| South Korea | 3,000,000 won | 10,000,000 won | 6,500,000 won | 4,000,000 won | 15,000,000 won | 8,500,000 won |
| Spain | 15,000 euros | 45,000 euros | 30,000 euros | 20,000 euros | 60,000 euros | 40,000 euros |
| Canada | 40,000 Canadian dollars | 100,000 Canadian dollars | 65,000 Canadian dollars | 50,000 Canadian dollars | 125,000 Canadian dollars | 80,000 Canadian dollars |
| Australia | 50,000 Australian dollars | 125,000 Australian dollars | 75,000 Australian dollars | 60,000 Australian dollars | 150,000 Australian dollars | 90,000 Australian dollars |
| Russia | 50,000 rubles | 150,000 rubles | 85,000 rubles | 60,000 rubles | 180,000 rubles | 110,000 rubles |
| Austria | 25,000 euros | 60,000 euros | 45,000 euros | 30,000 euros | 80,000 euros | 55,000 euros |
| Sweden | 30,000 SEK | 70,000 SEK | 50,000 SEK | 40,000 SEK | 90,000 SEK | 60,000 SEK |
| Finland | 30,000 euros | 60,000 euros | 45,000 euros | 40,000 euros | 90,000 euros | 60,000 euros |
| Denmark | 35,000 Danish kroner | 75,000 Danish kroner | 55,000 Danish kroner | 40,000 Danish kroner | 90,000 Danish kroner | 65,000 Danish kroner |
| India | 20,000 rupees | 50,000 rupees | 35,000 rupees | 25,000 rupees | 75,000 rupees | 45,000 rupees |
| Türkiye | 10,000 lira | 30,000 lira | 20,000 lira | 15,000 lira | 45,000 lira | 25,000 lira |
As can be seen, the income of art gallery curators in the United States, Canada, Australia, and Europe is higher than in other countries. This may be due to stronger economies and more thriving art markets in these countries.
The income of this job seems to be lower in India, Russia, Turkey, and China, which shows the less developed art market in these countries.
Art gallery curators on Glassdoor in European countries earn an average of €10,000 more than Indeed. This difference can be due to various reasons, including the following factors:
How Data is Collected: Glassdoor uses data collected from actual employees to determine earnings, while Indeed uses information extracted from job postings to determine earnings. Data collected from actual employees is usually more accurate than data collected from job postings.
Geographic factors: Glassdoor uses data collected from employees around the world, while Indeed uses data from employees in the United States. The cost of living in European countries is usually higher than in the United States, so art gallery curators may earn more in European countries.
Factors affecting the income of curators
Various factors affect the income of art gallery curators, including:
Education: Curators usually have a bachelor’s or master’s degree in art, art history, or museum management. Curators with more education, such as a doctorate in art history, usually earn more. Because with more education, they have more knowledge and skills to perform their duties.
Experience: Curators with more experience earn more because they have a better understanding of the art industry and how to manage an art gallery. They also have a wider network of art professionals they can tap into to help with their work.
Gallery reputation: Curators of prestigious and large art galleries usually earn better. Prestigious art galleries usually offer higher quality art exhibitions and have a higher income level. Curators who work in these galleries often have more responsibility for planning and executing exhibitions.
Geographical location: the cost of living in some areas is higher than in others. Art gallery curators in areas where the cost of living is higher, naturally have higher salaries. Because employers have to consider the higher cost of living to attract and retain their employees.
Type of gallery: Curators of private galleries have a higher income. This is because these galleries usually have more funds to pay their staff. State or public art galleries have lower budgets and therefore cannot pay their staff as much.
Finally
Many factors may affect the income range of a curator, such as additional skills such as writing skills, or the natural talents of each person, which is different from another. But in general, the income of skilled and highly educated curators in countries with a wider, more valuable, and more welcoming art market is higher on average than their other colleagues. In these countries, the professional position of curator is more demanding and well-known, and the need for it is felt more.
