Librarian Salary in 2026
Librarians manage library collections, help patrons find information, and develop programs for communities. They curate digital and physical resources and promote literacy and learning.
Median Salary
$68,270
$5,689/mo
Entry Level
$44,100
starting pay
Senior Level
$79,800
experienced
Job Growth
-3%
10-yr outlook
BLS OEWS May 2025 · official national figures
BLS reports Librarians and Media Collections Specialists (SOC 25-4022) at a national median of $68,270 per year (mean $72,840), or $32.82 per hour, with 133,790 people employed nationwide. The median above is this BLS figure; the entry, senior and top tiers are Salario estimates calibrated to it. Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 release.
Librarian Overview
Librarians manage library collections, help patrons find information, and develop programs for communities. They curate digital and physical resources and promote literacy and learning.
Education
Master's Degree (MLIS)
Experience
0-2 years
Industry
Education
Total Jobs (US)
134K
5-Year Growth
+8%
Category
Education
Hourly Rate
$32.82/hr
Monthly Pay
$5,689
Librarian Salary Calculator
Adjust your state and experience level to see the estimated Librarian salary in your area.
Mid Career (5-9 yrs)
Estimated Librarian Salary
$68,000
$5,667/month · $2,615/biweekly · $32.69/hr
Librarian Salary Range
Salary distribution from entry-level to top earners in the Librarian field.
Entry-level Librarians earn around $44,100, while the top 10% earn $90,300 or more.
Top Paying States for Librarians
| State | Est. Median Salary | vs National |
|---|---|---|
| California | $81,000 | +$12,730 |
| New York | $79,000 | +$10,730 |
| Massachusetts | $76,000 | +$7,730 |
| Illinois | $71,000 | +$2,730 |
| Texas | $67,000 | $-1,270 |
Top Paying Cities for Librarians
| City | Est. Median Salary | vs National |
|---|---|---|
| New York | $81,000 | +$12,730 |
| Los Angeles | $76,000 | +$7,730 |
| Boston | $76,000 | +$7,730 |
| Chicago | $72,000 | +$3,730 |
| Houston | $68,000 | $-270 |
City figures are Salario estimates that scale the national median by a city cost-of-labor multiplier; BLS does not publish a metro-level series for this title.
Required Skills & Certifications
Key Skills
Certifications
Librarian Career Progression
Typical salary growth path for a Librarian from entry level to expert.
$44,100
0-2 years
$62,000
3-7 years
$79,800
8-14 years
$100,800
15+ years
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Librarian Salary FAQ
How much does a Librarian make in 2026?
The median salary for a Librarian in the United States is $68,270 per year, the BLS OEWS May 2025 national median for Librarians and Media Collections Specialists (SOC 25-4022); the mean is $72,840. Salario's calibrated tiers put entry-level positions around $44,100, senior professionals around $79,800, and top earners at $100,800 or more annually.
What education is needed to become a Librarian?
A Librarian typically requires a Master's Degree (MLIS) with 0-2 years of experience. Key skills include Information Retrieval, Cataloging, Digital Resources. Relevant certifications such as State Certification or ALA Accredited MLIS can boost earning potential and career advancement.
What is the job outlook for Librarians?
The job market for Librarians is projected to grow by -3% over the next decade. There are currently approximately 134K Librarian positions in the US. Salary growth over the past 5 years has been approximately 8%, reflecting moderate demand for this role.
Which states pay Librarians the most?
The highest-paying states for Librarians include New York, California, Texas. In New York, the median salary is approximately $79,000. However, cost of living varies significantly, so adjusted purchasing power should be considered when comparing salaries across states.
How can I increase my Librarian salary?
To increase your Librarian salary, focus on gaining expertise in high-demand skills like Information Retrieval and Cataloging. Pursue certifications such as State Certification. Consider relocating to higher-paying markets like New York. With 0-2 years of experience, you can progress from $44,100 to $79,800 or more.
Methodology & Data Sources: Librarian Salary
How we calculate Librarian salary data: The national median is the official BLS OEWS May 2025 annual median wage for Librarians and Media Collections Specialists (SOC 25-4022), retrieved from the BLS Public Data API. The entry, senior and top tiers are a Salario model: the shape of the distribution is Salario's, rescaled so that its median equals the BLS median. State and most city figures are Salario estimates that apply cost-of-labor multipliers to that median.
- National median salary: $68,270, BLS OEWS May 2025 annual median for Librarians and Media Collections Specialists; BLS mean $72,840; BLS hourly median $32.82.
- Entry-level ($44,100) and senior-level ($79,800) are Salario tiers calibrated to the BLS median; they are not BLS percentiles. BLS publishes P10/P25/P75/P90 wages for this occupation in its OEWS tables.
- Job outlook: -3% projected growth is Salario's outlook figure; compare with the BLS Employment Projections program. BLS OEWS May 2025 counts 133,790 Librarians and Media Collections Specialists jobs nationwide.
- 5-year salary growth: 8% is a Salario estimate of past 5-year wage growth for the Education sector, informed by the BLS Employment Cost Index.
- Education requirement: Master's Degree (MLIS), per BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook entry for this occupation.
- State and city estimates apply Salario cost-of-labor multipliers to the national median of $68,270; city rows marked "BLS metro" are real OEWS metropolitan-area medians instead.
Authoritative US data sources for Librarian compensation:
- BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), national and metro-area salary data
- BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, Librarian job projections, education, and career outlook
- BLS Employment Projections, 10-year occupation growth and decline data
- BLS Employment Cost Index, quarterly compensation trend data for Education
- BLS Consumer Price Index (CPI-U), regional inflation for cost-of-living wage adjustments
- IRS Revenue Procedure 2025-32 summary, 2026 federal tax brackets and standard deductions
Disclaimer: Librarian salary figures are statistical estimates for general guidance. Actual compensation depends on employer, location, negotiation, specific skills (Information Retrieval, Cataloging, Digital Resources), certifications, and industry conditions. Always verify with multiple sources including current job listings, recruiter data, and direct employer offers before making career decisions.
Reviewed by Harlan Voss · Last updated May 17, 2026 · BLS figures: OEWS May 2025 release (published May 2026), retrieved from the BLS API on September 17, 2026
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