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Library associate salary
Average library associate salary
$35,851
Understanding Library Associate Salaries
A Library Associate plays a vital role in the library ecosystem, assisting patrons and managing resources. As of October 2025, the average salary stands at $35,851 per year, translating to approximately $17 per hour. Salaries can vary significantly based on factors like geographic location, years of experience, and the specific type of library, whether public, academic, or specialized.
For instance, states like California and New York often offer higher salaries compared to the national average, reflecting the demand for skilled library professionals in urban settings. Additionally, experience levels significantly impact compensation, with seasoned associates earning more as they progress in their careers.
Positions like Library Technicians or specialized roles in digital archiving may offer even greater financial rewards. Understanding these dynamics allows aspiring library associates to make informed career decisions and pursue opportunities that align with their financial goals and interests.
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Where can a Library Associate earn more?
Library associate salary estimates from across the web
Average library associate salary by state
The average library associate salary in New York, Washington, and Massachusetts are the highest in the U.S. The lowest average library associate salary states are Texas, Georgia, and New Mexico.
- State view
- County view
Highest paying states for library associates
| Rank | State | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Washington | $48,422 | $23.28 |
| 2 | Rhode Island | $44,857 | $21.57 |
| 3 | New York | $49,542 | $23.82 |
| 4 | Massachusetts | $47,182 | $22.68 |
| 5 | Alaska | $44,800 | $21.54 |
| 6 | Connecticut | $44,567 | $21.43 |
| 7 | Montana | $40,824 | $19.63 |
| 8 | Nevada | $41,005 | $19.71 |
| 9 | Maine | $42,322 | $20.35 |
| 10 | North Dakota | $44,704 | $21.49 |
| 11 | Oklahoma | $37,224 | $17.90 |
| 12 | Minnesota | $43,240 | $20.79 |
| 13 | California | $44,879 | $21.58 |
| 14 | New Hampshire | $44,406 | $21.35 |
| 15 | District of Columbia | $41,991 | $20.19 |
| 16 | Vermont | $43,945 | $21.13 |
| 17 | Colorado | $37,490 | $18.02 |
| 18 | Wyoming | $35,659 | $17.14 |
| 19 | Delaware | $42,958 | $20.65 |
| 20 | Nebraska | $36,878 | $17.73 |
| 21 | South Dakota | $39,707 | $19.09 |
| 22 | New Jersey | $37,995 | $18.27 |
| 23 | Maryland | $38,776 | $18.64 |
| 24 | Kansas | $35,447 | $17.04 |
| 25 | West Virginia | $37,855 | $18.20 |
| 26 | Pennsylvania | $36,491 | $17.54 |
| 27 | Utah | $35,471 | $17.05 |
| 28 | Michigan | $36,235 | $17.42 |
| 29 | Wisconsin | $36,031 | $17.32 |
| 30 | Arizona | $34,448 | $16.56 |
| 31 | Illinois | $35,343 | $16.99 |
| 32 | Oregon | $36,504 | $17.55 |
| 33 | Iowa | $35,631 | $17.13 |
| 34 | Idaho | $33,869 | $16.28 |
| 35 | Ohio | $34,682 | $16.67 |
| 36 | Florida | $33,937 | $16.32 |
| 37 | Mississippi | $33,504 | $16.11 |
| 38 | Virginia | $35,455 | $17.05 |
| 39 | Louisiana | $34,144 | $16.42 |
| 40 | Indiana | $32,100 | $15.43 |
| 41 | New Mexico | $29,354 | $14.11 |
| 42 | Missouri | $28,562 | $13.73 |
| 43 | Texas | $29,586 | $14.22 |
| 44 | Alabama | $30,720 | $14.77 |
| 45 | South Carolina | $30,399 | $14.61 |
| 46 | Hawaii | $33,670 | $16.19 |
| 47 | Tennessee | $30,657 | $14.74 |
| 48 | North Carolina | $31,218 | $15.01 |
| 49 | Kentucky | $28,899 | $13.89 |
| 50 | Georgia | $29,455 | $14.16 |
| 51 | Arkansas | $28,575 | $13.74 |
Highest paying cities for library associates
The highest-paying cities for library associates are New York, NY, Bremerton, WA, and Redwood City, CA.
| Rank | City | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | New York, NY | $49,485 | $23.79 |
| 2 | Bremerton, WA | $48,575 | $23.35 |
| 3 | Redwood City, CA | $47,613 | $22.89 |
| 4 | Bismarck, ND | $44,329 | $21.31 |
| 5 | Moorhead, MN | $43,891 | $21.10 |
| 6 | Sioux Falls, SD | $39,551 | $19.01 |
| 7 | Arvada, CO | $37,599 | $18.08 |
| 8 | Milwaukee, WI | $35,953 | $17.29 |
| 9 | Ames, IA | $35,678 | $17.15 |
| 10 | Chicago, IL | $35,546 | $17.09 |
| 11 | Norfolk, VA | $35,058 | $16.85 |
| 12 | Coral Gables, FL | $34,127 | $16.41 |
| 13 | Columbus, OH | $34,114 | $16.40 |
| 14 | Laredo, TX | $29,866 | $14.36 |
| 15 | Covington, KY | $29,740 | $14.30 |
| 16 | Marietta, GA | $29,430 | $14.15 |
| 17 | Columbia, MO | $28,682 | $13.79 |
Library associate salary details
A library associate's salary ranges from $27,000 a year at the 10th percentile to $46,000 at the 90th percentile.
What is a library associate's salary?
| Percentile | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 90th Percentile | $46,000 | $3,833 | $22 |
| 75th Percentile | $41,000 | $3,417 | $20 |
| Average | $35,851 | $2,988 | $17 |
| 25th Percentile | $31,000 | $2,583 | $15 |
| 10th Percentile | $27,000 | $2,250 | $13 |
Highest paying library associate jobs
The highest paying types of library associates are product assistant, assistant librarian, and librarian.
| Job title | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate | Job openings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Library Clerk | $30,275 | $2,523 | $14.56 | 67,131 |
| Librarian | $53,096 | $4,425 | $25.53 | 1,264 |
| Library Technician | $37,757 | $3,146 | $18.15 | 24,941 |
| Library Page | $30,218 | $2,518 | $14.53 | 848 |
| Library Aide | $28,197 | $2,350 | $13.56 | 40,987 |
Top companies hiring library associates now:
Which companies pay library associates the most?
Library associate salaries at University of Notre Dame and New York University are the highest-paying according to our most recent salary estimates. In addition, the average library associate salary at companies like University of Wisconsin System and Lakeland Electric are highly competitive.
| Rank | Company | Average salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | University of Notre Dame | $56,007 | $26.93 |
| 2 | New York University | $53,489 | $25.72 |
| 3 | University of Wisconsin System | $52,223 | $25.11 |
| 4 | Lakeland Electric | $45,292 | $21.77 |
| 5 | Louisiana State Police | $44,691 | $21.49 |
| 6 | Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University | $43,569 | $20.95 |
| 7 | City of Austin | $41,810 | $20.10 |
| 8 | City of Jacksonville | $41,663 | $20.03 |
| 9 | Lee County | $41,614 | $20.01 |
| 10 | State Of Illinois - Illinois Student Assistance Commission | $41,111 | $19.76 |
| 11 | City of Seattle | $40,580 | $19.51 |
| 12 | City of Tacoma | $40,186 | $19.32 |
| 13 | Missouri State University | $40,172 | $19.31 |
| 14 | Iowa State University | $39,329 | $18.91 |
| 15 | City of Redwood City | $39,110 | $18.80 |
| 16 | Town of Leesburg, VA | $38,954 | $18.73 |
| 17 | City of Rapid City | $38,140 | $18.34 |
| 18 | Kitsap Regional Library | $38,136 | $18.33 |
| 19 | The Ohio State University | $38,126 | $18.33 |
| 20 | University Of Minnesota Physicians | $37,708 | $18.13 |
Wage gap by gender, race and education
Library associate salary trends
The average library associate salary has risen by $6,601 over the last ten years. In 2014, the average library associate earned $29,250 annually, but today, they earn $35,851 a year. That works out to a 14% change in pay for library associates over the last decade.
Compare library associate salaries for cities or states with the national average over time.
Average library associate salary over time
Compare library associate salaries for individual cities or states with the national average.
Library associate salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $35,900 | $17.24 | +4.3% |
| 2024 | $34,300 | $16.49 | +3.6% |
| 2023 | $33,100 | $15.90 | +2.6% |
| 2022 | $32,200 | $15.48 | +2.3% |
| 2021 | $31,500 | $15.13 | +2.9% |
Recently added library associate salaries
| Company | Job | Location | Date added | Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fulton County | Library Associate | Atlanta, GA | 06/28/2025 | $41,545 |
| Jefferson County | Patron Experience Associate-Lakewood Library | Lakewood, CO | 06/28/2025 | $41,010 |
| Fulton County, Ga | Library Associate | Atlanta, GA | 06/28/2025 | $41,545 |
| Library Systems & Services, LLC | Library Associate 2 | Simi Valley, CA | 06/26/2025 | $34,957 |
| Carroll County Public Library | Library Associate I Adult | Mount Airy, MD | 06/25/2025 | $30,326 |
| Library Systems & Services | Library Associate 3--Floater (Lake Pan and Webster Libraries) | Lake Panasoffkee, FL | 06/22/2025 | $31,305 |
| Library Systems & Services, LLC | Library Associate 3-Tech Support | Huntsville, TX | 06/20/2025 | $31,827 |
| Library Systems & Services, LLC | Library Associate 3-Upper King William or West Point, VA Branch | West Point, VA | 06/18/2025 | $39,653 |
| University of Alabama at Birmingham | Research Library Associate | University, MS | 06/18/2025 | $43,890 |
| Lexington Public Library | Library Associate I | Lexington, KY | 06/11/2025 | $32,265 |
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