Librarian Career and Salary

In recent years, the topic of whether or not librarians are still an essential part of modern society given technological advances has been much discussed. Although some maintain that libraries are a thing of the past, the fact of the matter is that libraries and librarians have done an excellent job at evolving with the times to ensure modern relevance.

As librarians have evolved their skill sets, the salary potential for careers in library science have expanded as well. A wide range of factors can influence librarian earning potential including: job setting, level of professional education, and years of experience. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, a Librarian can earn anywhere from $38,920 per year (in the bottom 10th percentile) to $100,880 per year (in the top 90th percentile), as of 2024.

Librarians can practice their craft in many settings, as libraries vary across the globe. The primary types of libraries are categorized into four major groups: academic libraries at universities, public libraries, school libraries for K-12 students, and special libraries in unique locations such as hospitals or museums.

As stated above, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reports a wide range of potential librarian salaries, with the median earnings at $64,320 per year in 2024, which equals about $30.92 per hour. In discussing how much Librarians earn per year, we are mostly referring to master ‘s-holding practicing librarians in academic institutions or government offices. Numerous other jobs exist under the broader umbrella of librarianship, including library clerks and technicians, and, to a lesser extent, curators and archivists. Typically, these careers offer lower earning potential than librarian positions that require a master’s degree in library science. 

Below, we outline the main factors that determine the earning potential of a career in library science.

Syracuse University

School of Information Studies

info

Master of Science in Library and Information Science

Syracuse University offers an online, ALA-accredited MS in Library and Information Science that prepares students to help communities access and understand information, technology, and media resources. The program can be completed in 18 months, and no GRE scores are required to apply.

• ALA-accredited
• Can be completed in 18 months
• Optional specialization in School Media

Request more info from Syracuse University.

infoSPONSORED

University or Academic Librarian

Librarians at the collegiate level, commonly referred to as academic librarians, are integral parts of the average campus community. Assisting students with research projects, maintaining university assets, and aiding professors and administrative employees with day-to-day operations are just a few of the many functions a university librarian might practice. The BLS reports that 18% of practicing librarians are currently employed by colleges, universities, or professional schools and the average salary for librarians in this setting is $67,410 per year.

Elementary and Secondary School Librarian

Librarians working in elementary and secondary schools are responsible for introducing students from kindergarten through high school to a wide range of topics, from literature to the Dewey Decimal System. In school settings, on any given day, librarians might lead a workshop on proper citation methods for students, assist a student with a research paper, and aid teachers and students with classroom media. In the modern world, a new position in elementary and secondary schools, the “library media specialist,” has emerged, allowing those with technical expertise to leverage their skills. This is the second most common place of employment for librarians, according to the BLS, with 31% working in schools for an average annual salary of $69,880.

Public Librarian

Public librarians (i.e., librarians who are employed by the local government) typically work in libraries that exist to serve various communities in city or suburban settings. On any given day, they might help patrons locate novels for pleasure reading, offer classes to community members, and sort through the library’s resources, including books, movies, and more. Approximately 30% of librarians work in public libraries or settings similar to public libraries, making it the second most common work environment among all career paths. The BLS reports that public librarians earn an average annual salary of $60,510.

Information Librarian

Information librarians, also referred to as “special” librarians, often work in unique settings such as law libraries, private corporations, hospitals, and museums. It is common for some information librarians to serve as archivists or curators of special collections (including books and other materials) in addition to their core responsibilities. This is the least common career path among graduates of master’s programs in library science, comprising only 5 percent of all working librarians in America. Information Librarians enjoy an average annual salary of $59,810 according to the BLS.

Icons made by Freepik from www.flaticon.com is licensed by CC 3.0 BY

Although much has been discussed about the future relevance of librarians given the modern emphasis on technology, librarians from 2024-2034 are expected to experience job growth of about 2%, which is slower than the average career’s expected growth. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, librarians and library media specialists continue to play a core role in helping people find information and conduct research, and the field is expected to keep generating substantial openings each year through the next decade. 

At the same time, librarianship is evolving quickly as technology changes how information is created and accessed: the American Library Association’s 2025 State of America’s Libraries report highlights the growing importance of AI literacy in library services and staff skill development.