Librarian salary
BLS occupation: Librarians and Media Collections Specialists · Education and libraries · data for May 2025
Median salary $68,270 a year, US
Median hourly pay $32.82 an hour
Middle half earn $56,310–$84,480 25th to 75th percentile
Librarians employed 133,790 +2.6% projected by 2035
How much does a librarian make?
- The median librarian salary in the US is $68,270 a year ($32.82 an hour): half of the 133,790 librarians BLS counts earn more and half earn less. The average (mean) is $72,840.
- The middle half earn between $56,310 and $84,480. The lowest-paid 10% earn less than $43,660 and the top 10% more than $103,990.
- That is 34% more than the median for all US workers ($50,980).
- Washington pays librarians the most (median $100,030), followed by the District of Columbia ($96,550) and California ($89,790). West Virginia pays the least ($42,980).
- After adjusting for prices, the pay goes furthest in Washington, where the median is worth $93,475 in typical US prices, then the District of Columbia and Nevada.
- In 225 of the 350 metro areas with data, the median librarian salary is enough to rent a typical home without spending more than 30% of income on rent.
- BLS projects the number of librarians to grow 2.6% from 2025 to 2035 (all jobs: 3.5%), with about 12,600 openings a year. The typical entry education is a master's degree.
official From BLS's survey of employers: what librarians are actually paid, not job ads or self-reports. Adjusted figures are derived. How we calculate.
How does your pay compare?
Librarian salary range
Half of librarians earn between $56,310 and $84,480 a year
Yearly pay at each point of the range, US, May 2025. For comparison, the median for all US jobs is $50,980.
Lowest 10% earn under Yearly pay: $43,660
Lowest 25% earn under Yearly pay: $56,310
Median Yearly pay: $68,270
Top 25% earn over Yearly pay: $84,480
Top 10% earn over Yearly pay: $103,990
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025.
Show the numbers
| Yearly pay | |
|---|---|
| Lowest 10% earn under | $43,660 |
| Lowest 25% earn under | $56,310 |
| Median | $68,270 |
| Top 25% earn over | $84,480 |
| Top 10% earn over | $103,990 |
Librarian salary by state
Washington pays librarians the most; West Virginia the least
Median yearly pay by state compared with the US median ($68,270), May 2025. Blue = higher pay.
- 20%+ below US
- 10–20% below
- 3–10% below
- Within 3%
- 3–10% above
- 10–20% above
- 20%+ above US
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS May 2025.
Show the numbers
| State | Median pay |
|---|---|
| Washington | $100,030 median |
| District of Columbia | $96,550 median |
| California | $89,790 median |
| Maryland | $88,570 median |
| Nevada | $84,540 median |
| Connecticut | $79,210 median |
| Alaska | $78,810 median |
| New York | $78,590 median |
| Massachusetts | $78,540 median |
| New Jersey | $78,380 median |
| Oregon | $78,070 median |
| Delaware | $77,700 median |
| Minnesota | $77,650 median |
| Virginia | $77,430 median |
| Georgia | $76,750 median |
| Colorado | $76,480 median |
| Rhode Island | $75,860 median |
| Texas | $71,860 median |
| Hawaii | $68,270 median |
| Florida | $67,060 median |
| Wisconsin | $66,870 median |
| Kentucky | $65,200 median |
| Alabama | $64,650 median |
| Nebraska | $64,060 median |
| Montana | $63,870 median |
| New Hampshire | $63,580 median |
| Pennsylvania | $62,880 median |
| North Dakota | $62,830 median |
| Illinois | $62,700 median |
| South Carolina | $62,640 median |
| New Mexico | $62,530 median |
| Vermont | $62,360 median |
| Tennessee | $62,090 median |
| Kansas | $61,900 median |
| North Carolina | $61,420 median |
| Louisiana | $60,650 median |
| Ohio | $60,630 median |
| Arizona | $60,500 median |
| Michigan | $60,010 median |
| Maine | $59,540 median |
| Missouri | $58,700 median |
| Iowa | $58,440 median |
| Oklahoma | $58,180 median |
| Mississippi | $56,970 median |
| Arkansas | $56,800 median |
| Idaho | $54,130 median |
| Utah | $53,730 median |
| Indiana | $53,500 median |
| South Dakota | $51,210 median |
| Wyoming | $46,530 median |
| West Virginia | $42,980 median |
Where librarian pay goes furthest
A salary buys more where prices are low. We divide each state's median by its price level from the Bureau of Economic Analysis, so every figure is in typical US prices. derived
Librarians' pay goes furthest in Washington once prices are counted
Median pay ÷ the state's price level (BEA, 2024; US = 100), shown in typical US prices. Top 10 states.
US median
Source: BLS OEWS May 2025; BEA Regional Price Parities 2024. Our calculation.
Show the numbers
| Worth, in US prices | |
|---|---|
| Washington | $93,475 |
| District of Columbia | $87,852 |
| Nevada | $84,558 |
| Maryland | $84,385 |
| California | $81,096 |
| Georgia | $79,705 |
| Minnesota | $78,736 |
| Delaware | $77,849 |
| Alaska | $76,994 |
| Virginia | $76,585 |
Librarian pay in every state
| State | Median a year | Hourly | Lowest 10% | Top 10% | Employed | After cost of living |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Washington | $100,030 | $48.09 | $64,440 | $129,690 | 2,750 | $93,475 |
| District of Columbia | $96,550 | $46.42 | $63,540 | $126,660 | 960 | $87,852 |
| California | $89,790 | $43.17 | $50,750 | $132,870 | 10,180 | $81,096 |
| Maryland | $88,570 | $42.58 | $57,380 | $123,910 | 3,220 | $84,385 |
| Nevada | $84,540 | $40.64 | $56,310 | $102,940 | 610 | $84,558 |
| Connecticut | $79,210 | $38.08 | $50,340 | $116,720 | 2,550 | $76,450 |
| Alaska | $78,810 | $37.89 | $48,760 | $98,530 | 350 | $76,994 |
| New York | $78,590 | $37.78 | $52,340 | $129,970 | 11,870 | $72,822 |
| Massachusetts | $78,540 | $37.76 | $50,260 | $109,060 | 4,980 | $74,265 |
| New Jersey | $78,380 | $37.68 | $56,320 | $107,050 | 4,100 | $72,037 |
| Oregon | $78,070 | $37.53 | $43,740 | $116,250 | 1,690 | $75,531 |
| Delaware | $77,700 | $37.36 | $56,940 | $102,160 | 370 | $77,849 |
| Minnesota | $77,650 | $37.33 | $48,040 | $99,990 | 2,220 | $78,736 |
| Virginia | $77,430 | $37.23 | $48,510 | $107,600 | 4,590 | $76,585 |
| Georgia | $76,750 | $36.90 | $48,500 | $101,730 | 3,330 | $79,705 |
| Colorado | $76,480 | $36.77 | $51,200 | $101,280 | 1,990 | $74,215 |
| Rhode Island | $75,860 | $36.47 | $50,040 | $100,990 | 780 | $74,169 |
| Texas | $71,860 | $34.55 | $49,240 | $100,790 | 9,150 | $74,039 |
| Hawaii | $68,270 | $32.82 | $51,280 | $97,760 | 300 | $62,091 |
| Florida | $67,060 | $32.24 | $49,320 | $92,240 | 6,670 | $64,846 |
| Wisconsin | $66,870 | $32.15 | $46,350 | $85,970 | 2,450 | $71,066 |
| Kentucky | $65,200 | $31.35 | $45,950 | $85,190 | 1,980 | $72,317 |
| Alabama | $64,650 | $31.08 | $37,890 | $78,310 | 2,750 | $72,785 |
| Nebraska | $64,060 | $30.80 | $33,820 | $92,860 | 1,200 | $71,096 |
| Montana | $63,870 | $30.71 | $40,750 | $84,440 | 640 | $67,484 |
| New Hampshire | $63,580 | $30.57 | $40,560 | $94,300 | 1,150 | $61,038 |
| Pennsylvania | $62,880 | $30.23 | $37,240 | $98,490 | 5,050 | $64,445 |
| North Dakota | $62,830 | $30.21 | $36,400 | $98,000 | 570 | $70,628 |
| Illinois | $62,700 | $30.14 | $38,650 | $103,540 | 5,390 | $62,726 |
| South Carolina | $62,640 | $30.12 | $36,490 | $92,890 | 2,130 | $66,817 |
| New Mexico | $62,530 | $30.06 | $41,600 | $97,490 | 580 | $67,811 |
| Vermont | $62,360 | $29.98 | $36,390 | $86,070 | 600 | $63,660 |
| Tennessee | $62,090 | $29.85 | $36,860 | $80,140 | 2,540 | $67,585 |
| Kansas | $61,900 | $29.76 | $34,780 | $80,570 | 1,620 | $68,726 |
| North Carolina | $61,420 | $29.53 | $44,600 | $83,650 | 4,010 | $65,115 |
| Louisiana | $60,650 | $29.16 | $46,800 | $78,240 | 2,130 | $68,759 |
| Ohio | $60,630 | $29.15 | $39,710 | $92,900 | 4,820 | $65,352 |
| Arizona | $60,500 | $29.09 | $35,730 | $96,490 | 1,990 | $60,093 |
| Michigan | $60,010 | $28.85 | $39,450 | $89,750 | 3,940 | $62,369 |
| Maine | $59,540 | $28.63 | $36,580 | $83,640 | 780 | $61,350 |
| Missouri | $58,700 | $28.22 | $34,510 | $86,850 | 2,970 | $64,635 |
| Iowa | $58,440 | $28.10 | $31,620 | $86,600 | 1,770 | $66,589 |
| Oklahoma | $58,180 | $27.97 | $32,350 | $82,650 | 1,820 | $66,232 |
| Mississippi | $56,970 | $27.39 | $29,340 | $68,970 | 1,060 | $65,518 |
| Arkansas | $56,800 | $27.31 | $31,640 | $73,210 | 1,490 | $65,335 |
| Idaho | $54,130 | $26.02 | $35,940 | $90,950 | 650 | $56,684 |
| Utah | $53,730 | $25.83 | $35,810 | $99,890 | 1,630 | $54,347 |
| Indiana | $53,500 | $25.72 | $32,520 | $79,300 | 1,920 | $57,324 |
| South Dakota | $51,210 | $24.62 | $37,760 | $77,500 | 490 | $57,808 |
| Wyoming | $46,530 | $22.37 | $27,990 | $74,290 | 440 | $50,199 |
| West Virginia | $42,980 | $20.66 | $29,910 | $63,130 | 610 | $48,024 |
After cost of living = median ÷ (BEA price level ÷ 100).
Librarian salary by city
Metro areas where BLS publishes librarian pay: 354 of 387. Rent share = typical rent (September 2026, Zillow) × 12 ÷ the median salary; under 30% is affordable by the usual rule.
Highest-paying metro areas
- Naples, FL $106,550
- Kennewick, WA $105,240
- San Jose, CA $103,240
- Seattle, WA $101,780
- San Francisco, CA $101,490
- Bremerton, WA $100,240
- Merced, CA $98,630
- Los Angeles, CA $97,510
- Yakima, WA $96,250
- Washington, DC $95,480
Where the pay goes furthest
- Kennewick, WA $105,157
- Naples, FL $103,246
- Yakima, WA $100,738
- Merced, CA $100,361
- Bremerton, WA $94,918
- McAllen, TX $94,848
- Laredo, TX $94,450
- San Jose, CA $93,495
- Seattle, WA $91,584
- Brunswick, GA $90,824
All 354 metro areas
| Metro area | Median a year | Employed | After cost of living | Rent share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Naples, FL | $106,550 | 90 | $103,246 | 29% |
| Kennewick, WA | $105,240 | 90 | $105,157 | 19% |
| San Jose, CA | $103,240 | 700 | $93,495 | 44% |
| Seattle, WA | $101,780 | 1,590 | $91,584 | 27% |
| San Francisco, CA | $101,490 | 1,940 | $87,784 | 41% |
| Bremerton, WA | $100,240 | 110 | $94,918 | 25% |
| Merced, CA | $98,630 | 50 | $100,361 | 25% |
| Los Angeles, CA | $97,510 | 3,270 | $85,862 | 36% |
| Yakima, WA | $96,250 | 80 | $100,738 | 17% |
| Washington, DC | $95,480 | 3,630 | $87,690 | 30% |
| Santa Maria, CA | $94,380 | 130 | $86,748 | 42% |
| Olympia, WA | $92,610 | 130 | $89,332 | 26% |
| San Luis Obispo, CA | $92,140 | 110 | $84,847 | 36% |
| Santa Cruz, CA | $91,090 | 40 | $82,887 | 46% |
| Bakersfield, CA | $87,490 | 100 | $86,722 | 25% |
| Mount Vernon, WA | $85,730 | 40 | $83,686 | 31% |
| San Diego, CA | $84,810 | 820 | $75,800 | 42% |
| Las Vegas, NV | $84,540 | 420 | $84,359 | 25% |
| Charlottesville, VA | $84,430 | 250 | $85,157 | 29% |
| Odessa, TX | $84,260 | 30 | $89,738 | 23% |
| Sacramento, CA | $83,890 | 540 | $78,644 | 32% |
| Bellingham, WA | $83,810 | 100 | $81,106 | 28% |
| Ann Arbor, MI | $83,200 | 330 | $82,474 | 28% |
| Baltimore, MD | $83,090 | 1,540 | $79,522 | 28% |
| Bend, OR | $82,430 | 90 | $79,560 | 32% |
| New Haven, CT | $82,420 | 570 | $78,826 | 30% |
| Trenton, NJ | $82,280 | 390 | $79,744 | 37% |
| Laredo, TX | $82,130 | 100 | $94,450 | 16% |
| Portland, OR | $82,130 | 1,070 | $77,907 | 26% |
| Anchorage, AK | $82,110 | 170 | $77,888 | 28% |
| Santa Rosa, CA | $81,890 | 150 | $75,976 | 39% |
| Lincoln, NE | $81,810 | 160 | $89,331 | 19% |
| New York, NY | $81,670 | 10,690 | $72,555 | 52% |
| Bridgeport, CT | $81,610 | 540 | $76,368 | 42% |
| Boulder, CO | $81,550 | 170 | $77,518 | 32% |
| McAllen, TX | $81,470 | 310 | $94,848 | 16% |
| Modesto, CA | $80,860 | 80 | $77,669 | 31% |
| Chico, CA | $80,840 | 70 | $79,884 | 23% |
| Minneapolis, MN | $80,800 | 1,390 | $77,083 | 26% |
| Fresno, CA | $80,450 | 220 | $78,751 | 31% |
| Rochester, MN | $80,250 | 130 | $88,361 | 24% |
| Spokane, WA | $79,880 | 140 | $79,605 | 23% |
| Brunswick, GA | $79,660 | 40 | $90,824 | 25% |
| Denver, CO | $79,620 | 1,000 | $75,268 | 29% |
| Salisbury, MD | $79,520 | 80 | $83,165 | 29% |
| Boston, MA | $79,450 | 3,660 | $73,384 | 45% |
| Mankato, MN | $79,420 | 40 | $87,318 | 19% |
| Oxnard, CA | $79,290 | 160 | $71,734 | 45% |
| Amherst-Northampton, MA | $78,780 | 250 | $78,589 | – |
| Tyler, TX | $78,500 | 60 | $85,182 | 20% |
| Napa, CA | $78,490 | 40 | $69,735 | 44% |
| Atlanta, GA | $78,460 | 1,810 | $78,415 | 28% |
| Ithaca, NY | $78,460 | 110 | $75,941 | 30% |
| Albany, OR | $78,330 | 30 | $76,719 | 25% |
| Bozeman, MT | $78,160 | 80 | $76,246 | 34% |
| El Centro, CA | $78,110 | 30 | $82,071 | 28% |
| Madison, WI | $78,050 | 440 | $80,227 | 27% |
| Eugene, OR | $77,950 | 140 | $76,747 | 27% |
| Brownsville, TX | $77,930 | 140 | $90,643 | 23% |
| Vallejo, CA | $77,860 | 70 | $71,774 | 38% |
| Hartford, CT | $77,800 | 900 | $75,721 | 31% |
| Panama City, FL | $77,760 | 70 | $79,921 | 27% |
| Iowa City, IA | $77,680 | 170 | $84,888 | 27% |
| Crestview, FL | $77,640 | 50 | $80,016 | 30% |
| State College, PA | $77,560 | 180 | $80,155 | 30% |
| Virginia Beach, VA | $77,520 | 880 | $79,150 | 29% |
| Gainesville, GA | $77,460 | 70 | $80,049 | 26% |
| Richmond, VA | $77,430 | 720 | $79,125 | 26% |
| Philadelphia, PA | $77,330 | 2,430 | $75,404 | 30% |
| Salem, OR | $77,320 | 140 | $74,598 | 26% |
| Hilton Head Island, SC | $77,030 | 60 | $78,588 | 31% |
| Redding, CA | $76,970 | 40 | $76,447 | 26% |
| Elizabethtown, KY | $76,920 | 40 | $84,927 | 20% |
| Reno, NV | $76,840 | 110 | $76,069 | 32% |
| Atlantic City, NJ | $76,720 | 130 | $77,607 | 32% |
| Poughkeepsie-Newburgh, NY | $76,680 | 370 | $70,077 | 35% |
| Savannah, GA | $76,660 | 140 | $80,520 | 28% |
| Harrisonburg, VA | $76,240 | 110 | $80,344 | 27% |
| Clarksville, TN | $76,110 | 80 | $83,686 | 21% |
| Salinas, CA | $76,080 | 150 | $69,771 | 44% |
| Corvallis, OR | $76,030 | 50 | $73,094 | 29% |
| Dalton, GA | $76,000 | 30 | $84,591 | 22% |
| Des Moines, IA | $75,960 | 280 | $82,834 | 20% |
| Warner Robins, GA | $75,910 | 60 | $80,937 | 24% |
| Dover, DE | $75,880 | 70 | $77,820 | 28% |
| Providence, RI | $75,730 | 970 | $74,411 | 34% |
| Houston, TX | $75,280 | 1,880 | $76,326 | 26% |
| Winchester, VA | $75,250 | 60 | $78,020 | 29% |
| Worcester, MA | $75,160 | 490 | $73,310 | 34% |
| Durham, NC | $74,980 | 470 | $76,846 | 26% |
| Allentown, PA | $74,930 | 280 | $74,954 | 29% |
| Kingston, NY | $74,890 | 100 | $74,363 | 32% |
| Wausau, WI | $74,780 | 30 | $80,711 | 15% |
| Stockton, CA | $74,760 | 120 | $71,140 | 39% |
| Binghamton, NY | $74,720 | 110 | $80,463 | 26% |
| Dallas, TX | $74,340 | 2,550 | $72,112 | 27% |
| Milwaukee, WI | $74,240 | 610 | $76,586 | 25% |
| Lexington Park, MD | $74,010 | 190 | $73,452 | 33% |
| Elmira, NY | $73,850 | 30 | $78,233 | 19% |
| Vineland, NJ | $73,540 | 40 | $76,630 | 27% |
| El Paso, TX | $73,160 | 360 | $81,368 | 25% |
| Bismarck, ND | $73,120 | 70 | $80,330 | 21% |
| Grand Forks, ND | $72,990 | 70 | $84,223 | 19% |
| Owensboro, KY | $72,490 | 50 | $81,808 | 20% |
| Greenville, SC | $72,270 | 310 | $77,493 | 26% |
| Green Bay, WI | $72,020 | 120 | $77,369 | 19% |
| Syracuse, NY | $71,850 | 470 | $75,045 | 27% |
| College Station, TX | $71,780 | 140 | $78,922 | 25% |
| Columbus, GA | $71,690 | 110 | $80,284 | 23% |
| Springfield, MA | $71,430 | 270 | $74,359 | 33% |
| Louisville, KY | $71,260 | 440 | $76,563 | 23% |
| Omaha, NE | $71,050 | 410 | $77,303 | 24% |
| Lansing, MI | $71,030 | 250 | $74,776 | 22% |
| Honolulu, HI | $71,000 | 230 | $63,986 | 51% |
| Valdosta, GA | $70,840 | 40 | $80,253 | 23% |
| Miami, FL | $70,090 | 1,660 | $61,399 | 45% |
| Albany, NY | $69,870 | 650 | $70,175 | 29% |
| Fort Collins, CO | $69,850 | 120 | $69,071 | 34% |
| Kenosha, WI | $69,640 | 40 | $68,870 | – |
| Roanoke, VA | $69,210 | 170 | $73,928 | 24% |
| North Port, FL | $68,980 | 190 | $67,352 | 37% |
| Champaign, IL | $68,910 | 160 | $74,333 | 24% |
| Austin, TX | $68,800 | 910 | $70,157 | 28% |
| Tampa, FL | $68,800 | 1,020 | $68,193 | 35% |
| Albany, GA | $68,660 | 50 | $78,317 | 19% |
| Augusta, GA | $68,430 | 230 | $74,459 | 26% |
| Decatur, AL | $68,220 | 50 | $78,223 | 19% |
| Cape Coral, FL | $68,210 | 140 | $66,645 | 32% |
| Mobile, AL | $68,200 | 190 | $77,414 | 23% |
| Racine, WI | $68,100 | 40 | $70,966 | 26% |
| Visalia, CA | $67,970 | 70 | $68,089 | 31% |
| Jacksonville, FL | $67,840 | 530 | $68,192 | 30% |
| Billings, MT | $67,760 | 100 | $72,450 | 25% |
| Daphne, AL | $67,550 | 100 | $71,338 | 30% |
| Waterbury, CT | $67,250 | 190 | $67,400 | – |
| Buffalo, NY | $67,090 | 500 | $69,999 | 26% |
| Gainesville, FL | $67,060 | 460 | $69,325 | 29% |
| Orlando, FL | $67,040 | 800 | $66,103 | 35% |
| Barnstable, MA | $66,940 | 180 | $68,062 | 46% |
| San Antonio, TX | $66,870 | 810 | $70,601 | 25% |
| Huntsville, AL | $66,750 | 430 | $71,719 | 25% |
| Midland, TX | $66,720 | 50 | $69,657 | 28% |
| Killeen, TX | $66,400 | 130 | $72,861 | 24% |
| Chicago, IL | $66,250 | 3,740 | $63,951 | 39% |
| Burlington, VT | $66,190 | 150 | $65,568 | 47% |
| Bloomington, IL | $66,180 | 130 | $70,753 | 23% |
| Las Cruces, NM | $66,170 | 60 | $73,349 | 27% |
| Oshkosh, WI | $66,020 | 70 | $71,043 | 23% |
| Helena, MT | $65,870 | 50 | $68,848 | 30% |
| Memphis, TN | $65,820 | 420 | $71,405 | 25% |
| Bloomington, IN | $65,720 | 160 | $69,118 | 32% |
| Amarillo, TX | $65,620 | 90 | $71,466 | 24% |
| Raleigh, NC | $65,550 | 660 | $66,781 | 31% |
| Anniston, AL | $65,540 | 50 | $76,255 | 18% |
| Birmingham, AL | $65,450 | 650 | $71,418 | 26% |
| Duluth, MN | $65,340 | 120 | $73,608 | 24% |
| Norwich, CT | $65,300 | 180 | $65,011 | 39% |
| Reading, PA | $65,290 | 140 | $67,268 | 29% |
| Bowling Green, KY | $65,280 | 110 | $72,389 | 22% |
| Sheboygan, WI | $65,250 | 50 | $69,405 | 25% |
| Pensacola, FL | $65,180 | 130 | $66,703 | 32% |
| Columbus, OH | $65,120 | 850 | $68,211 | 28% |
| Fond du Lac, WI | $65,120 | 40 | $71,058 | 21% |
| Minot, ND | $65,090 | 30 | $74,792 | 23% |
| Lawrence, KS | $64,990 | 110 | $72,017 | 29% |
| Wichita, KS | $64,990 | 290 | $73,067 | 22% |
| Salt Lake City, UT | $64,970 | 610 | $64,411 | 30% |
| Nashville, TN | $64,830 | 830 | $67,294 | 33% |
| Lubbock, TX | $64,820 | 140 | $70,983 | 25% |
| Myrtle Beach, SC | $64,710 | 80 | $69,104 | 32% |
| Logan, UT | $64,560 | 110 | $67,301 | 27% |
| Athens, GA | $64,550 | 120 | $69,154 | 33% |
| Portland, ME | $64,550 | 290 | $63,373 | 43% |
| Santa Fe, NM | $64,500 | 70 | $65,305 | 36% |
| St. Louis, MO | $64,350 | 1,220 | $67,674 | 27% |
| Auburn, AL | $64,240 | 110 | $73,056 | 30% |
| Charlotte, NC | $64,240 | 960 | $65,990 | 32% |
| New Orleans, LA | $64,240 | 480 | $69,376 | 29% |
| Kansas City, MO | $64,180 | 1,040 | $69,352 | 29% |
| Cincinnati, OH | $64,070 | 870 | $67,180 | 29% |
| Monroe, MI | $64,060 | 40 | $68,519 | 24% |
| La Crosse, WI | $64,050 | 100 | $69,795 | 25% |
| Grand Junction, CO | $63,980 | 60 | $67,012 | 32% |
| Williamsport, PA | $63,960 | 50 | $69,258 | 20% |
| Corpus Christi, TX | $63,940 | 140 | $68,997 | 27% |
| Eau Claire, WI | $63,920 | 70 | $68,882 | 22% |
| Utica, NY | $63,890 | 170 | $68,938 | 27% |
| Tuscaloosa, AL | $63,800 | 160 | $72,730 | 31% |
| Lewiston, ME | $63,750 | 50 | $67,292 | 30% |
| Tallahassee, FL | $63,620 | 330 | $67,739 | 28% |
| Cedar Rapids, IA | $63,550 | 140 | $71,434 | 23% |
| Knoxville, TN | $63,500 | 310 | $68,597 | 33% |
| Rochester, NY | $63,490 | 760 | $65,430 | 29% |
| Waco, TX | $63,290 | 130 | $68,385 | 27% |
| Pueblo, CO | $63,240 | 50 | $68,917 | 25% |
| Waterloo, IA | $63,180 | 80 | $72,573 | 19% |
| Florence, AL | $63,170 | 60 | $74,478 | 20% |
| Shreveport, LA | $63,100 | 160 | $74,440 | 24% |
| Dothan, AL | $63,040 | 70 | $75,197 | 23% |
| Wilmington, NC | $63,030 | 160 | $65,369 | 33% |
| Spartanburg, SC | $62,940 | 160 | $69,126 | 28% |
| Fayetteville, AR | $62,900 | 300 | $68,854 | 30% |
| Lexington, KY | $62,900 | 380 | $67,715 | 31% |
| Paducah, KY | $62,900 | 50 | $73,068 | 22% |
| Manchester, NH | $62,860 | 280 | $59,494 | 41% |
| Fargo, ND | $62,830 | 130 | $69,142 | 21% |
| Fort Smith, AR | $62,770 | 100 | $73,084 | 21% |
| Montgomery, AL | $62,730 | 290 | $69,947 | 26% |
| Appleton, WI | $62,670 | 90 | $67,811 | 23% |
| Hagerstown, MD | $62,630 | 90 | $66,507 | 31% |
| Beaumont, TX | $62,570 | 100 | $69,487 | 25% |
| Cheyenne, WY | $62,570 | 30 | $64,845 | 29% |
| Albuquerque, NM | $62,530 | 230 | $65,445 | 29% |
| Greeley, CO | $62,400 | 140 | $62,290 | 32% |
| Cleveland, TN | $62,390 | 40 | $70,833 | 27% |
| Lawton, OK | $62,320 | 50 | $72,515 | 22% |
| Bay City, MI | $62,190 | 30 | $67,656 | 20% |
| Chattanooga, TN | $62,150 | 110 | $67,950 | 29% |
| Slidell, LA | $62,150 | 120 | $67,025 | – |
| Bangor, ME | $62,090 | 70 | $64,337 | 29% |
| Hot Springs, AR | $62,060 | 30 | $72,390 | 24% |
| Cleveland, OH | $61,970 | 1,050 | $65,980 | 28% |
| Florence, SC | $61,970 | 90 | $71,415 | 29% |
| Toledo, OH | $61,950 | 290 | $67,738 | 24% |
| Kalamazoo, MI | $61,920 | 160 | $65,289 | 25% |
| Charleston, SC | $61,900 | 500 | $61,310 | 39% |
| Springfield, IL | $61,790 | 90 | $66,624 | 23% |
| Little Rock, AR | $61,720 | 280 | $69,066 | 24% |
| Rome, GA | $61,560 | 40 | $68,278 | 25% |
| Janesville, WI | $61,520 | 40 | $65,654 | 25% |
| Port St. Lucie, FL | $61,460 | 60 | $61,320 | 45% |
| Colorado Springs, CO | $61,370 | 230 | $60,939 | 34% |
| Gadsden, AL | $61,330 | 50 | $71,603 | 21% |
| Columbia, SC | $61,290 | 440 | $65,437 | 30% |
| Oklahoma City, OK | $61,290 | 730 | $67,793 | 27% |
| Burlington, NC | $61,210 | 60 | $65,679 | 26% |
| Morgantown, WV | $61,110 | 60 | $65,482 | 27% |
| Monroe, LA | $61,090 | 60 | $73,077 | 23% |
| Phoenix, AZ | $61,070 | 1,210 | $59,110 | 34% |
| Harrisburg, PA | $61,000 | 250 | $61,835 | 29% |
| Dayton, OH | $60,980 | 390 | $65,786 | 26% |
| Topeka, KS | $60,980 | 190 | $68,656 | 25% |
| Indianapolis, IN | $60,890 | 390 | $63,629 | 30% |
| Huntington, WV | $60,800 | 120 | $68,761 | 21% |
| Medford, OR | $60,770 | 100 | $59,911 | 36% |
| Pittsburgh, PA | $60,760 | 1,180 | $64,180 | 29% |
| Johnson City, TN | $60,650 | 50 | $68,977 | 29% |
| Rockford, IL | $60,630 | 100 | $65,792 | 26% |
| Ames, IA | $60,610 | 90 | $68,231 | 23% |
| Columbia, MO | $60,570 | 140 | $67,723 | 29% |
| Houma, LA | $60,570 | 50 | $71,173 | 26% |
| Midland, MI | $60,530 | 50 | $65,850 | 27% |
| Tucson, AZ | $60,500 | 360 | $62,438 | 30% |
| Longview, TX | $60,480 | 70 | $67,587 | 23% |
| Palm Bay, FL | $60,460 | 220 | $60,457 | 37% |
| Gettysburg, PA | $60,440 | 40 | $63,368 | 27% |
| Winston-Salem, NC | $60,440 | 220 | $65,665 | 30% |
| San Angelo, TX | $60,430 | 40 | $65,363 | 26% |
| Baton Rouge, LA | $60,420 | 480 | $66,557 | 27% |
| Kokomo, IN | $60,400 | 30 | $67,375 | 22% |
| Manhattan, KS | $60,370 | 70 | $66,957 | 25% |
| St. Cloud, MN | $60,330 | 40 | $68,845 | 24% |
| Lancaster, PA | $60,240 | 180 | $61,309 | 31% |
| Ocala, FL | $60,210 | 110 | $63,223 | 32% |
| Greensboro, NC | $60,090 | 270 | $64,707 | 28% |
| Detroit, MI | $60,060 | 1,520 | $59,882 | 30% |
| Boise, ID | $60,030 | 240 | $61,012 | 38% |
| Rapid City, SD | $59,990 | 40 | $67,284 | 29% |
| Great Falls, MT | $59,800 | 40 | $61,748 | 29% |
| Flint, MI | $59,640 | 90 | $64,106 | 21% |
| Sumter, SC | $59,520 | 40 | $67,621 | 30% |
| Kingsport, TN | $59,500 | 150 | $68,828 | 27% |
| Fayetteville, NC | $59,440 | 140 | $64,624 | 29% |
| Jonesboro, AR | $59,260 | 70 | $69,006 | 25% |
| Muskegon, MI | $59,180 | 40 | $63,965 | 26% |
| Gulfport, MS | $59,070 | 140 | $65,629 | 29% |
| Lafayette, LA | $58,920 | 150 | $67,562 | 28% |
| Deltona, FL | $58,890 | 180 | $59,265 | 36% |
| Asheville, NC | $58,870 | 140 | $61,001 | 35% |
| Mansfield, OH | $58,860 | 80 | $66,230 | 18% |
| Jackson, MI | $58,780 | 40 | $64,045 | 24% |
| Lakeland, FL | $58,730 | 190 | $60,459 | 37% |
| Pittsfield, MA | $58,710 | 130 | $61,731 | 36% |
| Battle Creek, MI | $58,610 | 60 | $64,733 | 23% |
| Missoula, MT | $58,570 | 70 | $60,729 | 33% |
| Decatur, IL | $58,550 | 40 | $66,217 | 22% |
| Glens Falls, NY | $58,430 | 90 | $61,592 | 30% |
| Lynchburg, VA | $58,390 | 110 | $65,340 | 26% |
| Hickory, NC | $58,370 | 90 | $65,965 | 33% |
| Blacksburg, VA | $58,310 | 130 | $62,895 | 34% |
| The Villages, FL | $58,210 | 40 | $68,142 | 36% |
| Tulsa, OK | $58,040 | 390 | $65,057 | 28% |
| Evansville, IN | $57,930 | 110 | $63,292 | 23% |
| Scranton, PA | $57,920 | 190 | $61,909 | 28% |
| Sebastian, FL | $57,900 | 50 | $58,897 | 44% |
| South Bend, IN | $57,780 | 150 | $62,224 | 26% |
| Yuma, AZ | $57,650 | 50 | $62,186 | 30% |
| Grand Rapids, MI | $57,630 | 420 | $60,316 | 34% |
| Jackson, TN | $57,560 | 70 | $67,304 | 29% |
| Riverside, CA | $57,410 | 930 | $53,935 | 53% |
| Flagstaff, AZ | $57,220 | 70 | $57,035 | 45% |
| Watertown, NY | $57,220 | 80 | $65,253 | 31% |
| Greenville, NC | $57,050 | 70 | $64,535 | 31% |
| Lake Havasu City, AZ | $57,020 | 30 | $60,596 | 32% |
| Davenport, IA | $56,850 | 200 | $63,820 | 21% |
| Macon, GA | $56,850 | 90 | $64,217 | 26% |
| Springfield, MO | $56,840 | 160 | $64,164 | 26% |
| Springfield, OH | $56,720 | 40 | $62,687 | 25% |
| Texarkana, TX | $56,650 | 30 | $67,431 | 27% |
| Jackson, MS | $56,540 | 240 | $63,494 | 31% |
| Kankakee, IL | $56,090 | 50 | $58,188 | 28% |
| Sandusky, OH | $56,070 | 50 | $62,802 | 39% |
| Saginaw, MI | $56,050 | 90 | $61,667 | 23% |
| Joplin, MO | $55,700 | 80 | $64,981 | 27% |
| Youngstown, OH | $55,430 | 130 | $63,425 | 23% |
| Morristown, TN | $55,160 | 40 | $63,869 | 34% |
| Abilene, TX | $54,110 | 50 | $59,880 | 44% |
| Lake Charles, LA | $53,940 | 140 | $62,829 | 30% |
| Jefferson City, MO | $53,370 | 80 | $60,665 | 23% |
| Lafayette, IN | $52,850 | 50 | $56,566 | 33% |
| Jacksonville, NC | $51,460 | 40 | $55,883 | 37% |
| Erie, PA | $51,300 | 80 | $56,405 | 26% |
| Akron, OH | $51,260 | 240 | $54,900 | 31% |
| Sioux Falls, SD | $51,210 | 130 | $56,504 | 30% |
| Pinehurst, NC | $50,870 | 30 | $57,587 | 44% |
| Terre Haute, IN | $50,840 | 60 | $57,906 | 23% |
| Idaho Falls, ID | $50,810 | 70 | $53,817 | 34% |
| Charleston, WV | $50,740 | 60 | $57,193 | 29% |
| Sioux City, IA | $50,700 | 50 | $58,644 | 31% |
| Muncie, IN | $50,280 | 40 | $57,040 | 25% |
| Canton, OH | $50,220 | 140 | $56,171 | 27% |
| Elkhart, IN | $50,150 | 40 | $55,522 | 28% |
| Niles, MI | $50,120 | 90 | $54,260 | 34% |
| Alexandria, LA | $49,860 | 80 | $58,189 | 25% |
| Goldsboro, NC | $49,780 | 30 | $56,273 | 37% |
| Traverse City, MI | $49,680 | 90 | $53,207 | 45% |
| Peoria, IL | $49,580 | 150 | $54,346 | 28% |
| Provo, UT | $49,400 | 370 | $50,289 | 43% |
| Fort Wayne, IN | $48,690 | 160 | $52,597 | 31% |
| Homosassa Springs, FL | $48,360 | 40 | $51,740 | 44% |
| Wichita Falls, TX | $48,230 | 50 | $53,880 | 32% |
| York, PA | $47,840 | 130 | $49,833 | 35% |
| St. George, UT | $47,800 | 80 | $49,116 | 46% |
| St. Joseph, MO | $47,670 | 50 | $55,185 | 25% |
| Lebanon, PA | $47,450 | 40 | $50,904 | 37% |
| Rocky Mount, NC | $46,550 | 40 | $52,891 | 33% |
| Sierra Vista, AZ | $46,550 | 30 | $52,161 | 33% |
| Ogden, UT | $46,380 | 260 | $46,219 | 42% |
| Lima, OH | $46,180 | 30 | $51,501 | 31% |
| Prescott Valley, AZ | $45,130 | 80 | $45,932 | 50% |
| Wheeling, WV | $43,560 | 60 | $49,319 | 24% |
| Chambersburg, PA | $42,800 | 120 | $45,223 | 37% |
| Johnstown, PA | $42,400 | 60 | $49,343 | 25% |
| Hattiesburg, MS | $39,720 | 50 | $45,325 | 39% |
What the median librarian salary pays per paycheck
| Period | Before taxes |
|---|---|
| Year | $68,270 |
| Month | $5,689 |
| Every two weeks | $2,626 |
| Week | $1,313 |
| Hour | $32.82 |
Gross pay, 52 weeks a year, 2,080 hours. Hourly to salary calculator.
Becoming a librarian: education and job outlook
| Typical entry education | Master's degree |
|---|---|
| Work experience needed | None |
| On-the-job training | None |
| Projected change in jobs, 2025–35 | +2.6% (all jobs: +3.5%) |
| Openings a year (average) | 12,600 |
| Self-employed | % |
official BLS Employment Projections, 2025–35. Openings include workers who retire or change jobs. What the work involves: BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook.
Similar jobs
| Job | Median a year | Typical education |
|---|---|---|
| Elementary school teacher | $63,970 | Bachelor's degree |
| Middle school teacher | $64,370 | Bachelor's degree |
| Kindergarten teacher | $62,680 | Bachelor's degree |
| High school teacher | $72,040 | Bachelor's degree |
| Teacher assistant | $36,780 | Some college |
| Preschool teacher | $38,140 | Associate's degree |
| Substitute teacher | $41,670 | Bachelor's degree |
| Special education teacher | $65,120 | Bachelor's degree |
Questions about librarian pay
How much does a librarian make an hour?
The median is $32.82 an hour. The lowest-paid 10% earn under $20.99 and the top 10% over $50.00.
How much does a librarian make a month?
About $5,689 a month before taxes at the median salary of $68,270, or $2,626 every two weeks.
What state pays librarians the most?
Washington, with a median of $100,030. The District of Columbia ($96,550), California ($89,790), Maryland ($88,570) and Nevada ($84,540) follow.
Where do librarians make the most after cost of living?
Washington: its median of $100,030 is worth $93,475 at typical US prices. The District of Columbia, Nevada and Maryland come next.
How much do entry-level librarians make?
BLS does not report pay by experience. The lowest-paid 10% of librarians earn under $43,660 a year, and the lowest-paid quarter under $56,310, which is a reasonable guide to starting pay.
What education do you need to become a librarian?
BLS lists the typical entry-level education as a master's degree. Work experience in a related job: none. On-the-job training: none.
Sources and limits
- Pay and employment: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation 25-4022 (Librarians and Media Collections Specialists). Downloaded 2026-10-24.
- OEWS counts wage and salary workers at employers, including tips and commissions but not overtime pay, bonuses that are not tied to production, or benefits. It leaves out the self-employed. BLS does not publish figures above $239,200 a year or for states and metro areas with too few workers.
- Cost of living: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024 (US = 100). Rents: Zillow Observed Rent Index, September 2026; Data Provided by Zillow Group.
- Outlook and education: BLS Employment Projections, 2025–35.
- Pay is not broken down by experience, employer or specialty (for example, ER or pediatric nursing); BLS does not publish those splits.