Real salary data from 200+ library professionals across the United States. Updated January 2026.
Median Salary: $62,700/year · 25th Percentile: $52,000 · 75th Percentile: $76,960
Salary data reflects United States compensation. UK, Canadian and Australian salary guides coming soon.
The median librarian salary in the United States is $62,700 per year. The middle 50% of librarians earn between $52,000 and $76,960 per year.
Salaries vary significantly depending on library type, specialty, location, and years of experience. Library directors and law firm librarians often earn well above the median, while entry-level and paraprofessional roles sit below it.
| Specialty | Median Salary | Range |
|---|---|---|
| School Librarian | $73,000 | $70,720 – $77,200 |
| Library Director | $72,000 | $42,000 – $151,500 |
| Special Librarian | $66,625 | $35,000 – $125,000 |
| Academic Librarian | $64,000 | $24,500 – $157,000 |
| Archivist | $61,885 | $30,992 – $106,700 |
| Public Librarian | $60,574 | $30,784 – $120,000 |
| Library Assistant | $57,000 | $19,000 – $125,000 |
| Law Librarian | $48,000 | $45,760 – $122,000 |
| State | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| California | $76,440 |
| Colorado | $72,000 |
| New York | $65,400 |
| Iowa | $64,612 |
| Illinois | $64,480 |
| Alabama | $63,012 |
| Michigan | $62,650 |
| Washington | $60,320 |
| Texas | $58,500 |
| Nebraska | $57,165 |
| Massachusetts | $56,659 |
| Indiana | $53,000 |
| Arizona | $52,112 |
| Ohio | $47,840 |
| Tennessee | $46,000 |
| Oregon | $43,680 |
| Experience | Estimated Salary | Typical Role |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (0–2 yrs) | $40,000 – $52,000 | Library Assistant, Librarian I |
| Early Career (3–5 yrs) | $52,000 – $62,000 | Librarian II, Specialist |
| Mid Career (6–12 yrs) | $62,000 – $75,000 | Senior Librarian, Team Lead |
| Senior (12+ yrs) | $75,000 – $100,000 | Department Head, Branch Manager |
| Director / Admin | $72,000 – $151,500 | Library Director, Dean of Libraries |
What is the average salary for a librarian? The median librarian salary in the US is $62,700 per year. The middle 50% of library professionals earn between $52,000 and $76,960. Salaries vary by location, specialty, library type, and experience.
How much do school librarians make? School librarians earn a median salary of $73,000 per year. Pay typically follows district salary scales and is tied to teaching credentials and years of service.
How much do law librarians make? Law librarians earn between $45,760 and $122,000, depending on whether they work in a law firm, court, or academic law library. You generally don't need a JD for most law librarian positions.
Do librarians need an MLIS to earn more? Yes. An MLIS is typically required for professional librarian positions and is strongly correlated with higher pay. Without one, most roles are paraprofessional earning $40,000–$57,000.
Which states pay librarians the most? California has the highest median at $76,440, followed by Colorado ($72,000) and New York ($65,400).
How much do library directors make? Library directors earn a median of $72,000, ranging from $42,000 for small rural systems to over $151,500 for large urban systems.
Are librarian salaries growing? Modestly. Specialized roles — digital librarians, data librarians, UX librarians — command higher pay. Union membership, common in public libraries, also tends to result in better compensation.
Looking for a librarian role? Browse hundreds of library jobs across the US, UK, Canada, Australia and New Zealand.