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Job outlook for librarians in the United States
Librarian job growth summary. After extensive research, interviews, and analysis, Zippia's data science team found that:
The projected librarian job growth rate is 6% from 2018-2028.
About 8,500 new jobs for librarians are projected over the next decade.
Librarian salaries have increased 8% for librarians in the last 5 years.
There are over 80,817 librarians currently employed in the United States.
There are 1,264 active librarian job openings in the US.
The average librarian salary is $53,096.
Are librarian jobs in demand?
Librarian job and salary trends over time
Librarian jobs over time
Librarian job growth rate over time
| Year | # of jobs | % of population |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 80,817 | 0.02% |
| 2020 | 85,490 | 0.03% |
| 2019 | 85,923 | 0.03% |
| 2018 | 80,024 | 0.02% |
| 2017 | 80,880 | 0.02% |
Average librarian salary over time
Librarian salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | $53,096 | $25.53 | +3.7% |
| 2025 | $51,185 | $24.61 | +2.1% |
| 2024 | $50,131 | $24.10 | +0.9% |
| 2023 | $49,681 | $23.88 | +1.5% |
| 2022 | $48,968 | $23.54 | +1.4% |
Librarian jobs by state
Most common states for librarians
| Rank | State | Population | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | District of Columbia | 693,972 | 13 | 2% |
| 2 | Colorado | 5,607,154 | 30 | 1% |
| 3 | California | 39,536,653 | 78 | 0% |
| 4 | New York | 19,849,399 | 31 | 0% |
| 5 | Illinois | 12,802,023 | 24 | 0% |
| 6 | New Jersey | 9,005,644 | 21 | 0% |
| 7 | Pennsylvania | 12,805,537 | 16 | 0% |
| 8 | Massachusetts | 6,859,819 | 15 | 0% |
| 9 | Maryland | 6,052,177 | 14 | 0% |
| 10 | Michigan | 9,962,311 | 14 | 0% |
| 11 | Washington | 7,405,743 | 10 | 0% |
| 12 | Oregon | 4,142,776 | 7 | 0% |
| 13 | Nebraska | 1,920,076 | 6 | 0% |
| 14 | New Hampshire | 1,342,795 | 6 | 0% |
| 15 | Nevada | 2,998,039 | 5 | 0% |
| 16 | Connecticut | 3,588,184 | 4 | 0% |
| 17 | Utah | 3,101,833 | 4 | 0% |
| 18 | Alaska | 739,795 | 1 | 0% |
| 19 | North Dakota | 755,393 | 1 | 0% |
| 20 | Maine | 1,335,907 | 1 | 0% |
Most common cities for librarians
| Rank | City | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl | Avg. salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Menlo Park | 2 | 6% | $71,246 |
| 2 | Bradenton | 1 | 2% | $45,252 |
| 3 | Coral Gables | 1 | 2% | $44,657 |
| 4 | East Lansing | 1 | 2% | $56,955 |
| 5 | Washington | 8 | 1% | $65,339 |
| 6 | Atlanta | 3 | 1% | $50,994 |
| 7 | Oxnard | 2 | 1% | $62,304 |
| 8 | Alexandria | 1 | 1% | $57,811 |
| 9 | Boulder | 1 | 1% | $50,119 |
| 10 | Cedar Rapids | 1 | 1% | $51,368 |
| 11 | Fort Myers | 1 | 1% | $44,998 |
| 12 | Los Angeles | 3 | 0% | $61,874 |
| 13 | Anchorage | 1 | 0% | $73,111 |
| 14 | Baltimore | 1 | 0% | $62,275 |
| 15 | Chicago | 1 | 0% | $59,991 |
| 16 | Detroit | 1 | 0% | $57,519 |
| 17 | Long Beach | 1 | 0% | $61,629 |
Librarian job outlook: Expert opinions
Our panel of librarian experts
Spelman College
University of Central Missouri
Texas Woman's University
Texas Woman's University
Marshall University
The University of Iowa
Western Illinois University
What general advice would you give to a Librarian?
Nafeesa Muhammad Ph.D.: Know that the history profession can be lucrative, fulfilling, and challenging, sometimes simultaneously. Despite the national trend of students turning away from the humanities because of an emphasis on STEM fields and concerns over the applicability of a history degree, there are several unsung careers and positions for history, and more broadly humanities majors. Such professions, which include being an archivist, librarian, or historian for the CIA or FBI, open up many opportunities for historians with the research acumen to carry out complex historical projects.
What general advice would you give to a 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 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 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.
Kerol Harrod
Lecturer, School of Library and Information Studies, Texas Woman’s UniversityTexas Woman's University
Computer And Information Sciences
What general advice would you give to a Librarian?
Kerol Harrod: Much of what I would advise involves just sticking to the basics. Show up to work on time. Have a good attitude and a growth mindset. Don't complain about menial tasks, and always be looking to learn the skills of the next position above you. I started out as the transit driver in my library system, loading and unloading boxes of books that circulated among the different library branches. I worked my way up, and now I am teaching graduate students how to become librarians. Put in the time and do the work. Networking is a huge part of success, so it's important to maintain good connections with co-workers, former professors, and fellow librarians. Finally, consider establishing a mentorship with a successful, trusted colleague who has experience in the position you want to attain. Personal connections go a long way.
What Librarian skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Kerol Harrod: Knowing how to navigate AI and the types of issues that arise therefrom (copyright, plagiarism, AI hallucinations, etc.) will become more important as the technology progresses. Generally keeping abreast of new technologies and ways to access information is also key to providing good service to library patrons. Understanding the basics of community librarianship, evidence-based practice, marketing, and community outreach will be crucial to libraries and librarians looking to maintain relevance in an increasingly connected world.
What will help Librarians increase their earning potential?
Kerol Harrod: Master the skills of the entry-level job you are given in the beginning to get the job you want in the end. Offer to assist with projects that will help you learn the skills you need for success, and always be on the lookout for continuing education opportunities like in-house trainings, conferences, and webinars. If you show an interest in going above and beyond, then you will improve your knowledge and skills, which in turn improves your chances for advancement in the field.
Ling Hwey Jeng
Professor and the Director of School of Library and Information StudiesTexas Woman's University
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Librarian job market given the pandemic?
Ling Hwey Jeng: The biggest revelation, since the beginning of the pandemic, is that librarians provide services and contribute to the local community with or without the physical building of libraries. This is evident in communities across the country and all over the world. As soon as many cities went into lock-down in March 2020, librarians promptly took on the role of second responders by actively joining the crisis response efforts. These include, for example, producing PPE's using their 3D printers, expanding virtual library services for residents stuck at home, providing instructional supports for K-12 virtual learning, and enhancing wi-fi services to those without broadband connectivity at home.
What technology do you think will become more important and prevalent for Librarians in the next 3-5 years?
Ling Hwey Jeng: Librarians use information and communication technologies to facilitate positive changes in the community. The pandemic has heightened the devastating effects of the digital divide in many communities and the systemic racial, social, and economic inequities, especially among residents in underrepresented areas. For more than a century, librarians have been at the forefront of using technology to improve their own work in the libraries. The pandemic makes it clear that librarians are in the best position to take advantage of both information and communication technologies in community building. Technologies that are needed include not only those used to build systems such as library systems but also technologies that lead to solutions to individual problems and improve the quality of life of the community, such as broadband technology and personal devices.
Will there be an enduring impact of the coronavirus pandemic on Librarians?
Ling Hwey Jeng: A thriving community is one with (a) an employable workforce that allows all residents who want to work, can work, and earn livable wages, (b) healthy families where all residents have accessible and affordable healthcare, and (c) informed citizenship achieved through a full range of opportunities from early childhood literacy, to K-12 education, to higher education, to career development and retraining, to information services to seniors. Librarians play a significant role at each and every stage of lifelong learning for all residents. The need for librarians' knowledge and skills will continue even, and especially, during economic hardship.
What experience really stands out on Librarian resumes?
Kacy Lovelace: While it might seem like an obvious answer, make sure that you have experience working in a library (or information center)! Student experience, such as graduate assistantships, internships, and practicums, are invaluable because they let you experience the day-to-day operations of a library department and, to an extent, the library as a whole.
This experience shows prospective employees that you are familiar with library operations and probably enjoy working in a library. If you don't have library experience, start looking for it now! Check with your advisor, campus libraries, or local public libraries for volunteer or entry-level positions to gain you the necessary hands-on library experience.
Additionally, connect the experience that you do have to library and information science. Do you have experience with academic writing or editing experience? Show how these experiences are beneficial to positions that you apply for in library science.
What Librarian skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Kacy Lovelace: Consider skills that directly apply to the job that you want in the future. Get creative with this! Improve your communication skills, cross-cultural understanding by working abroad. The hospitality industry offers many opportunities for improving these valuable skills while also teaching listening skills, time management skills, and collaboration skills. If working abroad is not an option, take a language immersion course (online or in-person) and increase your ability to communicate with patrons and colleagues and your attractiveness to potential employers.
What technology do you think will become more important and prevalent for Librarians in the next 3-5 years?
Kacy Lovelace: Jobs in the library and information science constitute a mix of public-facing employment and those that are not. But if COVID-19 has taught us anything, it's that our communication methods and, more specifically, that we have various ways to communicate are more important than ever. Platforms like Microsoft Office (Teams), Google Drive, Skype for Business, and SharePoint allow us to continue sharing and collaborating. Possessing a strong knowledge base about the communication tools that you are using makes you a better collaborator and makes you better at your job.
Lindsay Mattock
Associate Director, Associate ProfessorThe University of Iowa
School of Library and Information Science
What experience really stands out on Librarian resumes?
Lindsay Mattock: For students in Library Science, building a set of practical experiences to complement course work is critical. I always encourage students to consider listing service-learning experiences from their coursework alongside internships, practicum, volunteer positions, and professional posts. Staying active in professional organizations is another way to gain valuable experience and network with professionals in the field.
Dr. Timothy Roberts
Professor and Director of Graduate StudiesWestern Illinois University
Department of History
How do you envision technology impacting Librarians in the next 5 years?
Dr. Timothy Roberts: Probably more than in teaching, in the last few years, public history jobs - archivists, curators, librarians, website developers, social media bloggers, documentary filmmakers, digital collections, and historic site managers - have become more numerous. Liberal arts graduates with some digital and/or social media skills, as well as strong writing ability for diverse audiences, should be situated well for jobs.