A museum curator manages the collections of a museum. All types of museums require at least one curator. A museum curator usually has a background or interest in history, archaeology and anthropology.

The difference between a museum curator and a museum archivist is that archivists are often involved with valuable documents, while curators work with cultural specimens. A museum curator could deal with any type of historical collection such as coins or art. It is extremely important for a museum curator to be able to evaluate collection items as genuine and to negotiate prices for acquiring collection items.

A museum curator plans, displays and catalogs collection items. Planning and overseeing tours, programs and workshops may also be part of a museum curator's duties. A museum director is often the head curator at a museum.

Large museums may employ several curators that each specialize in a certain field. Small museums may have just one museum curator that does many different tasks and works with collections in many different subject areas. A museum curator employed in a large museum may travel often to seek out items to add to the museum's collection, while a museum curator in a small museum does not usually travel as part of the job.

Besides education and knowledge of museum studies, a museum curator needs writing and business skills. Grant requests and other fund raising materials must sometimes be written. Museum curators also often manage staff. Computer knowledge is also required as a museum curator usually must work with a database. Knowledge of public relations and marketing is also helpful for a museum curator and designing exhibits that appeal to the public is a crucial skill for a museum curator to have.

Competition is steep for those interested in becoming a museum curator. There are only a few schools in the United States with graduate degree programs in museum studies. A graduate degree as well as work experience in a museum is needed to become a museum curator. Many students interested in becoming a museum curator work in a museum to gain experience to help them get a job as a museum curator after they receive their graduate degree.