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Librarian
O*NET-SOC: 25-4022.00
Education
Administers library services and programs, helps patrons find information, manages collections, catalogs resources, and develops community programming and digital literacy initiatives.
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$64K
Median Salary
+4%
Stable
Master's Degree
Min. Education
Good Balance
Work-Life Balance
Librarians organize, manage, and provide access to information in public libraries, academic institutions, schools, and corporate settings. They spend their days helping patrons find what they need, whether that means guiding a student through an academic database, recommending a novel to a casual reader, or showing an older adult how to download e-books. Behind the scenes, they catalog new acquisitions, assign classification codes, and maintain the library's collection by deciding what to add, keep, or remove based on community needs and budget.
A Day in the Life
8:30 AM
Open library and check systems
Unlock the building, start up circulation computers, process overnight book drops, and review staff messages for any issues.
9:30 AM
Catalog new materials
Enter new books and media into the library's catalog system, assign subject headings and classification codes, and decide where each item belongs in the collection.
11:00 AM
Staff the reference desk
Help patrons with research questions, show them how to search databases, locate specific resources, and troubleshoot technology issues like printing or Wi-Fi.
12:30 PM
Lunch break
Step away for lunch, check professional development emails, and review upcoming program plans.
1:30 PM
Lead a children's program
Run a storytime session for young children, read aloud from picture books, and lead a related craft activity.
3:00 PM
Manage digital collection
Review and select e-books and digital media for the library's online lending platform, and respond to patron purchase requests.
4:30 PM
Collection maintenance
Reshelve returned items, update displays for upcoming events, and review materials for weeding based on condition and circulation data.
5:30 PM
Close up for the day
Run end-of-day circulation reports, confirm room bookings for the next day, and lock the building.
Tools & Technologies
Salary Details
Salary Distribution
Salary distribution for Librarian: 10th percentile $39K, 25th $51K, median $64K, 75th $81K, 90th $101K Median $39K $51K $64K $81K $101K
Most professionals earn between $51K and $81K
Librarian salary percentile distribution Percentile Salary 10th $39K 25th $51K 50th (Median) $64K 75th $81K 90th $101K
Salary by State
Librarian salary by state map
Librarian salary by state State Median Salary Salary Range Washington $94K $60K - $124K District of Columbia $94K $62K - $122K California $87K $48K - $131K Maryland $82K $52K - $123K Nevada $80K $46K - $100K New Jersey $79K $57K - $105K Delaware $78K $53K - $101K Alaska $78K $54K - $95K New York $77K $50K - $129K Connecticut $76K $49K - $106K Massachusetts $76K $48K - $103K Oregon $75K $42K - $101K Minnesota $75K $49K - $96K Virginia $74K $47K - $101K Georgia $74K $41K - $100K Rhode Island $73K $48K - $98K Colorado $65K $48K - $97K Texas $65K $46K - $79K Wisconsin $64K $44K - $84K Kentucky $63K $40K - $82K Hawaii $63K $49K - $91K Illinois $62K $36K - $100K Alabama $62K $31K - $76K Montana $62K $38K - $79K Nebraska $62K $30K - $77K North Dakota $62K $45K - $84K New Hampshire $61K $39K - $91K New Mexico $61K $37K - $103K Vermont $60K $37K - $83K Pennsylvania $60K $31K - $97K South Carolina $60K $37K - $82K Florida $60K $46K - $85K North Carolina $60K $43K - $80K Tennessee $60K $37K - $77K Kansas $60K $17K - $77K Michigan $60K $30K - $90K Louisiana $59K $47K - $79K Arizona $59K $35K - $96K Ohio $57K $36K - $93K Arkansas $57K $31K - $73K Maine $57K $32K - $82K Missouri $54K $34K - $80K Oklahoma $53K $27K - $81K Iowa $53K $28K - $82K Mississippi $50K $24K - $66K Utah $50K $31K - $90K South Dakota $49K $35K - $75K Indiana $49K $32K - $77K West Virginia $49K $28K - $70K Wyoming $48K $27K - $77K Idaho $47K $31K - $86K
Librarian salary by state State Median Salary Salary Range Washington $94K $60K - $124K District of Columbia $94K $62K - $122K California $87K $48K - $131K Maryland $82K $52K - $123K Nevada $80K $46K - $100K New Jersey $79K $57K - $105K Delaware $78K $53K - $101K Alaska $78K $54K - $95K New York $77K $50K - $129K Connecticut $76K $49K - $106K Massachusetts $76K $48K - $103K Oregon $75K $42K - $101K Minnesota $75K $49K - $96K Virginia $74K $47K - $101K Georgia $74K $41K - $100K Rhode Island $73K $48K - $98K Colorado $65K $48K - $97K Texas $65K $46K - $79K Wisconsin $64K $44K - $84K Kentucky $63K $40K - $82K Hawaii $63K $49K - $91K Illinois $62K $36K - $100K Alabama $62K $31K - $76K Montana $62K $38K - $79K Nebraska $62K $30K - $77K North Dakota $62K $45K - $84K New Hampshire $61K $39K - $91K New Mexico $61K $37K - $103K Vermont $60K $37K - $83K Pennsylvania $60K $31K - $97K South Carolina $60K $37K - $82K Florida $60K $46K - $85K North Carolina $60K $43K - $80K Tennessee $60K $37K - $77K Kansas $60K $17K - $77K Michigan $60K $30K - $90K Louisiana $59K $47K - $79K Arizona $59K $35K - $96K Ohio $57K $36K - $93K Arkansas $57K $31K - $73K Maine $57K $32K - $82K Missouri $54K $34K - $80K Oklahoma $53K $27K - $81K Iowa $53K $28K - $82K Mississippi $50K $24K - $66K Utah $50K $31K - $90K South Dakota $49K $35K - $75K Indiana $49K $32K - $77K West Virginia $49K $28K - $70K Wyoming $48K $27K - $77K Idaho $47K $31K - $86K
Lower ($47K-$70K)Middle (~$70K)Higher ($70K-$94K)
Highest Paying States
Lowest Paying States
Certifications, Training & Memberships
Master of Library and Information Science (MLIS)
ALA-accredited universities
Certification
Advanced degree covering library management, information organization, and user services.
Recommended
Library Support Staff Certification (LSSC)
American Library Association
Certification
Entry-level credential for paraprofessionals focusing on core library operations and customer service.
Certified Public Library Administrator (CPLA)
American Library Association
Certification
Leadership credential emphasizing management, budgeting, and advocacy skills for public librarians.
Helpful
Digital Archiving and Preservation Certificate
Society of American Archivists
Course
Training in managing electronic records and digital collections for modern libraries.
Professional Memberships
Membership in American Library Association (ALA)
American Library Association
Membership
Professional network offering resources, conferences, and advocacy for library careers.
Work Environment
Remote Work Hybrid (Remote + Office)
Work Setting Traditional office / indoor
Physical Activity Moderate physical activity
Social Interaction Highly collaborative — frequent team interaction
Schedule Extended hours common
Your Skills & Attributes
Skills & Competencies Matches (49)
Good Match
Good Match
Moderate Match
Moderate Match
Moderate Match
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Librarian a good career?
Librarian can be a rewarding career choice. Based on current data, the median salary is $64K and job outlook is stable (4% projected growth). Whether it's a good fit depends on your skills, interests, and values — take our quiz to find out how well you match.
What degree do you need to become a Librarian?
The typical education requirement for a Librarian is a Master's Degree. However, requirements can vary by employer and specialization. Some professionals enter the field with alternative credentials or relevant work experience.
How long does it take to become a Librarian?
Becoming a Librarian typically requires about 6 years of higher education (including a bachelor's degree). Additional time may be needed for certifications, internships, or on-the-job training depending on the specific role and employer requirements.
What is the work-life balance like for a Librarian?
The work-life balance for a Librarian is generally considered good, with reasonable hours and manageable workloads. Individual experiences vary based on employer, specialization, seniority level, and geographic location.
What is the job outlook for Librarian?
The job outlook for Librarian is stable. Employment is projected to grow by 4% over the coming decade. Labor market conditions can vary by region and specialization.
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