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Job outlook for adult services librarians in the United States
Adult services librarian job growth summary. After extensive research, interviews, and analysis, Zippia's data science team found that:
The projected adult services librarian job growth rate is 6% from 2018-2028.
About 8,500 new jobs for adult services librarians are projected over the next decade.
Adult services librarian salaries have increased 8% for adult services librarians in the last 5 years.
There are over 67,247 adult services librarians currently employed in the United States.
There are 54,306 active adult services librarian job openings in the US.
The average adult services librarian salary is $49,862.
Are adult services librarian jobs in demand?
Adult services librarian job and salary trends over time
Adult services librarian jobs over time
Adult services librarian job growth rate over time
| Year | # of jobs | % of population |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 67,247 | 0.02% |
| 2020 | 71,078 | 0.02% |
| 2019 | 71,404 | 0.02% |
| 2018 | 66,173 | 0.02% |
| 2017 | 66,726 | 0.02% |
Average adult services librarian salary over time
Adult services librarian salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | $49,862 | $23.97 | +3.7% |
| 2025 | $48,068 | $23.11 | +2.1% |
| 2024 | $47,078 | $22.63 | +0.9% |
| 2023 | $46,655 | $22.43 | +1.5% |
| 2022 | $45,986 | $22.11 | +1.4% |
Adult services librarian jobs by state
Most common states for adult services librarians
| Rank | State | Population | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | District of Columbia | 693,972 | 159 | 23% |
| 2 | Minnesota | 5,576,606 | 947 | 17% |
| 3 | Iowa | 3,145,711 | 477 | 15% |
| 4 | Massachusetts | 6,859,819 | 668 | 10% |
| 5 | Nebraska | 1,920,076 | 183 | 10% |
| 6 | Wyoming | 579,315 | 59 | 10% |
| 7 | Oregon | 4,142,776 | 391 | 9% |
| 8 | Idaho | 1,716,943 | 146 | 9% |
| 9 | New Hampshire | 1,342,795 | 127 | 9% |
| 10 | Montana | 1,050,493 | 91 | 9% |
| 11 | South Dakota | 869,666 | 77 | 9% |
| 12 | Virginia | 8,470,020 | 657 | 8% |
| 13 | Missouri | 6,113,532 | 467 | 8% |
| 14 | Arkansas | 3,004,279 | 230 | 8% |
| 15 | Kansas | 2,913,123 | 225 | 8% |
| 16 | Rhode Island | 1,059,639 | 87 | 8% |
| 17 | Delaware | 961,939 | 78 | 8% |
| 18 | Alaska | 739,795 | 62 | 8% |
| 19 | North Dakota | 755,393 | 59 | 8% |
| 20 | Vermont | 623,657 | 49 | 8% |
Most common cities for adult services librarians
| Rank | City | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl | Avg. salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Milford | 3 | 11% | $52,718 |
| 2 | Worcester | 3 | 2% | $52,649 |
| 3 | Bonita Springs | 1 | 2% | $42,868 |
| 4 | Norwalk | 1 | 1% | $53,971 |
Adult Services Librarian job outlook: Expert opinions
Our panel of adult services librarian experts
University of Central Missouri
What general advice would you give to an Adult Services Librarian?
Dr. Jenna Kammer Ph.D., MLS, MA: We recommend that our graduate students get a job in a library prior to graduating if possible, or get to know the librarians in the area in which you want to work by volunteering, doing service projects, or internships. That will help with the transition into a library career and build a local network. As graduates begin a career as a librarian, take some time to learn how things work in the library by getting to know your collection, your patrons and the needs of the community. You may have a lot of ideas as you get started, but not enough time to do them all. Write these ideas down, as well as some action steps and resources for accomplishing them. Revisit these ideas as you can.
What Adult Services Librarian skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Dr. Jenna Kammer Ph.D., MLS, MA: Librarians have a core set of values that will stand the test of time, but it is also helpful to have new skills related to social media marketing, change management, digital literacy and the mental habits for learning to adapt with an evolving digital information landscape. Collaboration (within the library and outside of the library) is also an important skill for librarians to have.
What will help Adult Services Librarians increase their earning potential?
Dr. Jenna Kammer Ph.D., MLS, MA: The MLS degree is the number one best way to maximize your salary potential when starting a new library career. As library jobs can be competitive, build a resume of evidence which shows your skills and passion for library work, as well as curating a list of excellent references who can help you to land that job.