Occupation Summary

Curators

O*NET 25-4012.00

Description:

Administer collections, such as artwork, collectibles, historic items, or scientific specimens of museums or other institutions. May conduct instructional, research, or public service activities of institution.

Annual Wages:
$61,731.00
Employment Rate:
Employment is expected to increase by 23.33%.
Education Level:
Master's Degree. According to O*Net, the majority of people employed in this occupation have this level of education.
Endorsement:
Business and Industry

  1. Develop and maintain an institution's registration, cataloging, and basic record-keeping systems, using computer databases.
  2. Provide information from the institution's holdings to other curators and to the public.
  3. Inspect premises to assess the need for repairs and to ensure that climate and pest control issues are addressed.
  4. Train and supervise curatorial, fiscal, technical, research, and clerical staff, as well as volunteers or interns.
  5. Negotiate and authorize purchase, sale, exchange, or loan of collections.
  6. Plan and conduct special research projects in area of interest or expertise.
  7. Confer with the board of directors to formulate and interpret policies, to determine budget requirements, and to plan overall operations.
  8. Attend meetings, conventions, and civic events to promote use of institution's services, to seek financing, and to maintain community alliances.
  9. Schedule events and organize details, including refreshment, entertainment, decorations, and the collection of any fees.
  10. Write and review grant proposals, journal articles, institutional reports, and publicity materials.
  11. Study, examine, and test acquisitions to authenticate their origin, composition, history, and to assess their current value.
  12. Arrange insurance coverage for objects on loan or for special exhibits and recommend changes in coverage for the entire collection.
  13. Establish specifications for reproductions and oversee their manufacture or select items from commercially available replica sources.
  14. Plan and organize the acquisition, storage, and exhibition of collections and related materials, including the selection of exhibition themes and designs, and develop or install exhibit materials.
  15. Design, organize, or conduct tours, workshops, and instructional or educational sessions to acquaint individuals with an institution's facilities and materials.

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National Industry Employment Patterns


Industry % of Curators employed Annual Growth Rate
Colleges, universities, and professional schools 14.4 0.49


Labor Market Information


2024 Statewide average hourly wage $29.68
2024 National average hourly wage $33.68
2022 National employment 13,900
2022 Texas employment 660
Texas projected employment by 2032 814
Texas projected annual employment and Turnover openings through 2032 101




TEXAS COUNTY MAP BY WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT AREA
* Due to confidentiality rules, not all regions may have the data displayed. The sum of all the regions may not be equal to the state total.


Top 10 Relevant Knowledge Areas Relevant Importance Levels
English Language
Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
91.40%
History and Archeology
Knowledge of historical events and their causes, indicators, and effects on civilizations and cultures.
90.40%
Fine Arts
Knowledge of the theory and techniques required to compose, produce, and perform works of music, dance, visual arts, drama, and sculpture.
75.20%
Administration and Management
Knowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, human resources modeling, leadership technique, production methods, and coordination of people and resources.
66.60%
Sociology and Anthropology
Knowledge of group behavior and dynamics, societal trends and influences, human migrations, ethnicity, cultures, and their history and origins.
66.00%
Communications and Media
Knowledge of media production, communication, and dissemination techniques and methods. This includes alternative ways to inform and entertain via written, oral, and visual media.
64.00%
Administrative
Knowledge of administrative and office procedures and systems such as word processing, managing files and records, stenography and transcription, designing forms, and workplace terminology.
62.80%
Education and Training
Knowledge of principles and methods for curriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.
62.00%
Geography
Knowledge of principles and methods for describing the features of land, sea, and air masses, including their physical characteristics, locations, interrelationships, and distribution of plant, animal, and human life.
61.60%
Customer and Personal Service
Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.
61.20%


Top 10 Relevant Skill Areas Relevant Importance Levels
Reading Comprehension
Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work-related documents.
80.00%
Speaking
Talking to others to convey information effectively.
80.00%
Active Listening
Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
77.60%
Writing
Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.
77.60%
Critical Thinking
Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems.
75.00%
Complex Problem Solving
Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.
72.40%
Active Learning
Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.
70.00%
Judgment and Decision Making
Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
70.00%
Systems Analysis
Determining how a system should work and how changes in conditions, operations, and the environment will affect outcomes.
67.60%
Monitoring
Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
67.60%


Top 10 Relevant Abilities Relevant Importance Levels
Oral Comprehension
The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.
80.00%
Written Comprehension
The ability to read and understand information and ideas presented in writing.
80.00%
Oral Expression
The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.
80.00%
Written Expression
The ability to communicate information and ideas in writing so others will understand.
77.60%
Deductive Reasoning
The ability to apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense.
77.60%
Near Vision
The ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).
77.60%
Speech Clarity
The ability to speak clearly so others can understand you.
75.00%
Inductive Reasoning
The ability to combine pieces of information to form general rules or conclusions (includes finding a relationship among seemingly unrelated events).
75.00%
Category Flexibility
The ability to generate or use different sets of rules for combining or grouping things in different ways.
75.00%
Problem Sensitivity
The ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. It does not involve solving the problem, only recognizing that there is a problem.
72.40%


  • Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events
    -- Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.
  • Documenting/Recording Information
    -- Entering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.
  • Getting Information
    -- Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
  • Thinking Creatively
    -- Developing, designing, or creating new applications, ideas, relationships, systems, or products, including artistic contributions.
  • Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work
    -- Developing specific goals and plans to prioritize, organize, and accomplish your work.
Other Activities


  • Achievement
    - Occupations that satisfy this work value are results oriented and allow employees to use their strongest abilities, giving them a feeling of accomplishment. Corresponding needs are Ability Utilization and Achievement.
  • Independence
    - Occupations that satisfy this work value allow employees to work on their own and make decisions. Corresponding needs are Creativity, Responsibility and Autonomy.



Tools

Claw hammer: Claw hammers;

Desktop computers: Desktop computers;

Digital cameras: Digital cameras;

Handheld thermometer: Handheld digital thermometers;

Levels: Precision levels;

Lux or light meter: Light meters;

Mat cutter: Mat cutters;

Notebook computers: Laptop computers;

Paint brushes: Paint brushes;

Personal computers: Personal computers;

Power drills: Power drills;

Rulers: Precision rulers;

Scanners: Scanners; Digitizers;

Screwdrivers: Slotted screwdrivers;

T squares: T squares;

Two way radios: Two way radios;

Utility knives: Precision knives; Utility knives;


Technology

Analytical or scientific software: SAS;

Calendar and scheduling software: Scheduling software;

Computer aided design CAD software: Autodesk AutoCAD;

Data base user interface and query software: Cuadra Associates STAR/Museums; Database software; FileMaker Pro; Gallery Systems EmbARK; Gallery Systems The Museum System; Ex Libris Group DigiTool; KE Software EMu; Microsoft Access; Artsystems Collections; MINISIS MINT; PastPerfect Software PastPerfect; Questor Systems ARGUS; Structure query language SQL; Vernon Systems Limited Vernon CMS; Willoughby Associates MIMSY XG; Re:discovery Software Proficio;

Desktop publishing software: Desktop publishing software; Adobe InDesign;

Development environment software: Microsoft Visual Studio;

Document management software: Adobe Acrobat;

Electronic mail software: Microsoft Outlook;

Enterprise application integration software: Extensible markup language XML;

Graphics or photo imaging software: Microsoft Paint; Adobe Creative Cloud software; Adobe FreeHand MX; Adobe Illustrator; Adobe Photoshop; Graphics software;

Internet browser software: Web browser software;

Object or component oriented development software: R; Perl; Python;

Office suite software: Microsoft Office software; Corel WordPerfect Office Suite;

Operating system software: Apple macOS; Linux;

Presentation software: Microsoft PowerPoint;

Project management software: Eloquent Systems Eloquent;

Spreadsheet software: Microsoft Excel;

Web page creation and editing software: Facebook; Social media sites;

Word processing software: Word processing software; Microsoft Word;


Related O*NET occupational titles for Curators include:
  • 19-3091.00 Anthropologists and Archeologists
  • 25-1061.00 Anthropology and Archeology Teachers, Postsecondary
  • 25-4011.00 Archivists
  • 27-1011.00 Art Directors
  • 19-3093.00 Historians
  • 25-1125.00 History Teachers, Postsecondary
  • 25-4022.00 Librarians and Media Collections Specialists
  • 25-1082.00 Library Science Teachers, Postsecondary
  • 25-4013.00 Museum Technicians and Conservators
  • 27-1027.00 Set and Exhibit Designers


Sources of Additional Information
  • For information about archivists and about schools offering courses in archival studies, visit: Society of American Archivists
  • For more information about archivists and archivist certification, visit: Academy of Certified Archivists
  • For information about government archivists, visit: Council of State Archivists
  • U.S. National Archives and Records Administration
  • For information about museum technicians, registrars, or collections specialists, visit: Association of Registrars and Collections Specialists
  • For more information about museum careers, including schools offering museum studies and related programs, visit: American Alliance of Museums
  • For more information about careers and education programs in conservation and preservation for conservators, visit: American Institute for Conservation
  • For information about job openings as curators, museum technicians, and conservators with the federal government, visit: USAJobs
  • CareerOneStop

  • For a career video on archivists, visit: Archivists
  • Archivists
  • Curators
  • Museum Technicians and Conservators

  • Contact Texas Workforce Commission
    Labor Market and Career Information  |  101 E. 15th Street, Annex Room 0252  |  Austin, Texas 78778
    Official Website  |  1-800-822-PLAN (7526)  |  512.936.3200

    ** The information in this report may be derived from many sources like O*NET, BLS (Bureau of Labor Statistics), OOH (Occupational Outlook Handbook), and Career One Stop.