How much do librarians make in the US?

Average base salary The average salary for a librarian is $63,785 per year in the United States. 1.5k salaries taken from job postings on Indeed in the past 36 months (updated January 11, 2026).

What type of librarian makes the most money?

University Librarian

Librarians who specialize in universities and colleges will usually be better paid than those who work in primary or secondary schools, with a median salary of around $74,000 per year. Colleges usually have endowments and larger budgets than many school systems.

How many years does it take to be a librarian?

For most people, it takes about five years to become a librarian. Around four of these years are spent in an undergraduate program. After that comes the master's degree.

Can you make good money as a librarian?

Pay. The median annual wage for librarians and library media specialists was $64,320 in May 2024.

Is librarian a low stress job?

Librarianship is probably an average stress job. You deal with people but you also have a lot of administrative tasks like planning programs, collection analysis and development, etc. Those can be calming.

Average Salary of a Librarian | How much do Librarians make?

Why are librarians quitting?

We still need librarians, but unfortunately librarians are burning out and leaving the field in droves due to understaffing, overworking, and being underpaid, difficulty in finding full-time position, lack of living wage. Push seems to be to deprofessionalize the field rather that increase pay for degreed librarians.

Do you actually need a degree to be a librarian?

A master's degree in library science (MLS), preferably from an American Library Association (ALA) accredited program, is necessary for most librarian positions in most public, academic, and special libraries. School librarians may not need an MLS but must meet state teaching requirements.

Is librarian an in demand job?

Employment of librarians is expected to grow by 2% from 2024 to 2034, with approximately 13,500 job openings projected each year.

What qualifications do I need for a librarian?

Bachelor's degree: A bachelor's degree is the minimum required level of education that is accepted to get a job as a librarian. Acceptable degree programmes include librarianship and information management. Experience: Gaining the necessary experience is essential to becoming a librarian.

Which state pays librarians the most?

Topping the list is Washington, with District of Columbia and New York close behind in second and third. New York beats the national average by 9.4%, and Washington furthers that trend with another $8,645 (13.3%) above the $65,193.

What degree do most librarians have?

Librarians in North America typically earn a master's degree, typically the Master of Library Science (MLS) or the Master of Library and Information Science (MLIS).

What is the average age of a librarian?

Age Category

The ratio of ALA members to all librarians is lower in the 24 and under years of age categories and in both the 45-54 and the 55-64 years of age categories. The estimated median age of all librarians is 50.5 as of 2013; ALA members are slightly younger at 48 years of age.

How many hours does a librarian work?

Librarians must work full-time unless there is an occasional opening for temporary or part-time work. Typically, you can expect to work for 40 hours every week which can include evenings, nights, weekends and holidays.

Is AI replacing librarians?

The library of 2035 will embrace new roles and opportunities. The technological capabilities and changing patron expectations all point toward a future where AI systems enhance and amplify the work of human librarians. This evolution represents an exciting new chapter in the library's story.

What are the cons of being a librarian?

Cons of Academic Librarianship

• No Summers Off. Unlike traditional academic roles with summers off, librarian positions are typically 12-month positions. ...
• Limited Opportunities for Tenure and Rank. ...
• Limited Job Growth. ...
• Uncertainty about the Future of Higher Education.

How much do CIA librarians make?

The estimated average salary for a Librarian at CIA is $72,506 per year or $35 per hour, but some professionals have reported earning up to roughly $115,329 per year (90th percentile).

Can I be a librarian without a master's?

Many smaller libraries have a difficult time filling positions, even for directors, and often will hire people with other degrees or equivalent experience. Some large urban libraries are also having difficulty filling front line librarian positions and hire librarians without master of library science degrees.

Is a library job stressful?

The sense of community within a library, whether among staff, significantly impacts job satisfaction. Issues like interpersonal conflicts, lack of support from colleagues or supervisors, and a competitive atmosphere can lead to social isolation and increase stress levels, fueling burnout.

What other jobs can librarians do?

Some potential occupations for MLIS graduates:

• Library director.
• Research specialist.
• School librarian.
• Reference librarian.
• Law librarian.
• Medical librarian.
• Marketing and communications specialist.
• Communications outreach coordinator.

Why are librarians leaving the profession?

The pandemic “brought to light a bunch of problems that were there before,” says Klotz, now with the School of Management at University College London. “The pandemic just sort of turbocharged them.” Common reasons for resignations include burnout, frustration, low pay, and low morale.

What personality type are most librarians?

According to the authors, most librarians tend to be either the ISTJ or INTJ personality type: thinkers and judgers, sensing and intuitive, and predominantly introverted.

Is a librarian an entry level job?

To become an entry-level librarian, you need a bachelor's degree in library sciences. Most employers prefer that you are working towards a master's degree. Employers also accept candidates with degrees in humanities or social sciences and experience or professional training in library work.

How long is a librarian degree?

Library science degrees take about as much time to complete as degrees in other fields. On a full-time study schedule, you can complete an associate degree in two years, a bachelor's degree in four years, and an MLIS degree in two years. Doctoral programs usually take 3-5 years.

What is the difference between a librarian and a library assistant?

The one distinction usually drawn between "support staff" and "librarians" is that those in the latter group typically have a Master of Library Science degree (MLS). In practice, however, that distinction is not always clear.

Can I be a librarian if I don't read?

You don't have to be a reader to be a Librarian. It can be helpful if you work at a public library and do Reader Recommendations, but there are more types of library work than that.