Librarians and library media specialists (SOC 25-4022) earned a median annual wage of approximately $62,400 — about $30.00 per hour — according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics most recent OEWS data.
BLS projects employment in this field to grow about 4 percent through 2032, slightly above the national average, with roughly 16,300 openings expected each year.
Librarians work in public libraries, school and academic settings, special libraries within corporations and law firms, medical institutions, and government agencies.
Job duties typically include curating collections, assisting patrons with research, managing digital resources, and developing community programming.
Compensation varies significantly by setting — academic and special librarians tend to earn more than public librarians — as well as by geographic location and education level.
Most professional librarian positions require a Master of Library Science (MLS) or Master of Library and Information Science (MLIS) degree from an American Library Association (ALA)-accredited program, which influences baseline salary expectations.
For related education and information profession salaries, see the teacher salary and the social worker salary.
Librarian Salary Overview (2026)
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, librarians and library media specialists (SOC 25-4022) earned a median annual wage of approximately $62,400 ($30.00/hr) based on the most recent OEWS data. The table below shows the national wage distribution across percentile levels.
| Percentile | Annual Salary | Hourly Rate |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $39,000 | $18.75 |
| 25th | $48,000 | $23.08 |
| 50th (Median) | $62,400 | $30.00 |
| 75th | $80,000 | $38.46 |
| 90th | $100,000 | $48.08 |
These figures are national estimates from the BLS OEWS program. Academic and special librarians typically earn above the median, while school and entry-level public librarians often earn below it.
To see exactly how wages like $30 an hour translate to annual, monthly, and after-tax take-home, our guide on $30 an hour is how much a year breaks down every pay period. For other rates in the range above, browse our hourly wage conversion guide index.
Librarian Pay by Experience Level
Librarian salaries tend to increase with years of experience, advanced credentials, and administrative responsibilities. The table below reflects typical annual ranges by career stage based on BLS data and industry benchmarks as of 2026.
| Experience Level | Typical Annual Range |
|---|---|
| Entry-Level (0–3 years) | $40,000 – $52,000 |
| Mid-Career (4–10 years) | $52,000 – $75,000 |
| Senior / Management (11+ years) | $75,000 – $100,000+ |
Librarians who advance to branch management, department head, or director roles — or who transition into higher-paying special library settings — typically see the fastest wage growth.
Academic librarians at research universities with faculty status may also earn above the typical career-stage median.
Librarian Salary by State and Region
Geographic location plays a meaningful role in librarian compensation, with state funding levels for public libraries and the concentration of academic institutions both influencing wages. BLS OEWS data shows substantial variation across states.
Top-Paying States
Based on BLS data, states that typically report the highest median wages for librarians include California, New Jersey, Connecticut, Maryland, and Washington, D.C. (treated as a state equivalent in BLS data).
Median wages in these areas may range from $75,000 to $95,000, driven by higher costs of living and robust funding for both public library systems and research universities.
Librarians evaluating positions in California should factor in the cost of living in California, while those considering the New York metro area should review the cost of living in New York when assessing real take-home pay against higher nominal wages.
Regional Patterns
The Northeast and West Coast consistently report above-average librarian wages.
The Southeast and parts of the Midwest and Mountain West typically report wages at or below the national median, reflecting differences in state library funding and the concentration of large academic institutions.
Urban public libraries in cities such as New York, Chicago, and Los Angeles may offer significantly higher pay than suburban or rural public library systems in the same state.
Factors That Affect Librarian Pay
Several factors beyond location and experience may significantly influence a librarian's annual earnings.
Library Type and Setting
Special librarians — those working in corporate law firms, investment banks, pharmaceutical companies, government agencies, and medical institutions — typically earn the highest wages among librarians, often $75,000 to $110,000 or more for senior positions.
Academic librarians at research universities generally earn more than those at community colleges.
Public librarians' wages vary widely based on state and local funding and public employee union contracts.
Librarians comparing their compensation against similar master's-level public-sector careers should see the psychologist salary overview for context.
Education and Credentials
The Master of Library Science (MLS) or Master of Library and Information Science (MLIS) from an ALA-accredited institution is the baseline credential for most professional librarian positions.
A second master's degree or a Ph.D. in a related subject area (law, medicine, business) may significantly increase earning potential in special library settings.
School librarians may need state teaching credentials in addition to the MLS.
Administrative and Leadership Roles
Librarians who move into department head, branch manager, or library director roles typically earn well above the median. Library directors at large public library systems or major research universities may earn $100,000 to $150,000 or more depending on the size and funding of the institution.
Digital and Information Technology Skills
Librarians with expertise in data management, digital preservation, institutional repository management, or emerging technologies such as AI-assisted cataloging may command above-average wages, particularly in academic and special library settings.
Employers increasingly value these technical skills alongside traditional library science training.
Librarian Career Outlook
The BLS projects employment of librarians and library media specialists to grow approximately 4 percent through 2032 — slightly above the national average of 3 percent — with approximately 16,300 openings expected per year.
The majority of these openings will arise from the need to replace librarians who retire or transfer to other occupations, rather than from net new job creation.
Demand is expected to remain relatively stable in academic and special library settings, where information management, data curation, and research support functions remain essential.
Public library funding is subject to municipal and state budget cycles, which can create employment variability from year to year.
Librarians who develop expertise in digital services, electronic resource management, and community programming are likely to be most competitive in this evolving job market.
School librarians face additional variability based on school district budgets and staffing decisions.
Librarians should apply salary negotiation principles when transitioning between library types, maximize contributions through a Roth IRA or public employer 403(b), and review retirement savings targets aligned with their career earnings trajectory.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average librarian salary in 2026?
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, librarians and library media specialists (SOC 25-4022) earned a median annual wage of approximately $62,400 — about $30.00 per hour — based on the most recent OEWS data.
Wages vary significantly by library type, geographic location, and level of experience.
For comparable master's-level public service salaries, the social worker salary provides a useful benchmark.
What degree do you need to become a librarian?
Most professional librarian positions require a Master of Library Science (MLS) or Master of Library and Information Science (MLIS) degree from a program accredited by the American Library Association (ALA).
School librarians typically also need a state teaching license.
Some specialized special library roles may prefer candidates with a second master's degree in a subject area such as law, medicine, or business.
Do academic librarians earn more than public librarians?
Generally, yes.
Academic librarians at research universities tend to earn above the national median, and those with faculty status may receive additional benefits comparable to tenure-track faculty.
Public librarian wages vary significantly by state and local government funding and may be below the median in lower-funded library systems.
Special librarians in corporate or legal settings often earn the most among all librarian types.
What is the job outlook for librarians?
The BLS projects about 4 percent employment growth for librarians through 2032, with approximately 16,300 openings per year.
Most openings will arise from retirements and turnover rather than new positions.
Librarians with digital resource management, data curation, and technology skills are expected to be most competitive in the evolving job market.
Those entering the workforce should also review savings benchmarks and open a high-yield savings account to build an emergency fund on a public-sector salary.
Can librarians earn a six-figure salary?
Yes, in certain settings.
Library directors at large public systems or major research universities, special librarians at large law firms or financial institutions, and senior academic librarians at well-funded research universities may earn $100,000 or more.
According to BLS data, the 90th percentile wage for librarians nationally is approximately $100,000, meaning roughly 10 percent of librarians earn at or above that level.
High-earning librarians should track their financial progress against average net worth by age benchmarks and review 401(k) contribution strategy to optimize their public-employer retirement plan.
Sources & References
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook: Librarians and Library Media Specialists — https://www.bls.gov/ooh/education-training-and-library/librarians.htm
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics: Librarians and Library Media Specialists (SOC 25-4022) — https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes254022.htm
- U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Information Network (O*NET): Librarians — https://www.dol.gov/
Last updated: April 27, 2026