Explore jobs
Find specific jobs
Explore careers
Explore professions
Best companies
Explore companies
Public services librarian salary
Average public services librarian salary
$49,867
Understanding the Public Services Librarian Salary
A Public Services Librarian plays an essential role in information dissemination and community engagement. As of October 2025, their average salary stands at $49,867 annually. Salary can fluctuate based on geographic location, with states like California and New York typically offering higher compensation due to a higher cost of living and demand for skilled professionals.
Experience level also significantly impacts earnings. Entry-level positions may start lower, while seasoned librarians with specialized skills or advanced degrees can see substantial salary increases. For instance, librarians with more than 10 years of experience often earn above the national average.
Salary Breakdown by State
When considering a career as a Public Services Librarian, it’s crucial to review salary estimates by state. For example:
- California: $60,000
- New York: $58,000
- Texas: $52,000
This information is vital for those planning to enter the field or negotiate salaries. Understanding local salary trends helps job seekers make informed decisions about their career paths.
Let Zippia find your next public services librarian job
Let Zippia find your next public services librarian job
Where can a Public Services Librarian earn more?
Public services librarian salary estimates from across the web
Average public services librarian salary by state
The average public services librarian salary in Alaska, Pennsylvania, and New Jersey are the highest in the U.S. The lowest average public services librarian salary states are Arizona, New Mexico, and Maine.
- State view
- County view
Highest paying states for public services librarians
| Rank | State | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Minnesota | $55,511 | $26.69 |
| 2 | Oregon | $57,999 | $27.88 |
| 3 | Pennsylvania | $60,082 | $28.89 |
| 4 | Virginia | $57,657 | $27.72 |
| 5 | Washington | $56,399 | $27.11 |
| 6 | Alaska | $65,718 | $31.60 |
| 7 | Connecticut | $56,640 | $27.23 |
| 8 | Utah | $55,082 | $26.48 |
| 9 | District of Columbia | $56,381 | $27.11 |
| 10 | New Jersey | $58,103 | $27.93 |
| 11 | Michigan | $55,494 | $26.68 |
| 12 | Idaho | $50,032 | $24.05 |
| 13 | California | $55,855 | $26.85 |
| 14 | Nebraska | $52,404 | $25.19 |
| 15 | Nevada | $51,429 | $24.73 |
| 16 | North Dakota | $54,179 | $26.05 |
| 17 | West Virginia | $46,255 | $22.24 |
| 18 | Massachusetts | $50,847 | $24.45 |
| 19 | Mississippi | $51,321 | $24.67 |
| 20 | Rhode Island | $49,743 | $23.91 |
| 21 | Iowa | $44,556 | $21.42 |
| 22 | North Carolina | $45,940 | $22.09 |
| 23 | Delaware | $52,518 | $25.25 |
| 24 | New York | $52,530 | $25.25 |
| 25 | Maryland | $54,561 | $26.23 |
| 26 | Hawaii | $50,869 | $24.46 |
| 27 | Texas | $45,687 | $21.96 |
| 28 | Kansas | $45,614 | $21.93 |
| 29 | Kentucky | $44,916 | $21.59 |
| 30 | Illinois | $45,974 | $22.10 |
| 31 | Georgia | $46,119 | $22.17 |
| 32 | New Hampshire | $47,136 | $22.66 |
| 33 | Tennessee | $42,996 | $20.67 |
| 34 | Vermont | $45,133 | $21.70 |
| 35 | Wisconsin | $45,197 | $21.73 |
| 36 | Missouri | $43,708 | $21.01 |
| 37 | Oklahoma | $42,877 | $20.61 |
| 38 | Alabama | $43,991 | $21.15 |
| 39 | Montana | $41,474 | $19.94 |
| 40 | Florida | $42,284 | $20.33 |
| 41 | Colorado | $41,917 | $20.15 |
| 42 | Wyoming | $40,076 | $19.27 |
| 43 | Arizona | $41,352 | $19.88 |
| 44 | Ohio | $42,385 | $20.38 |
| 45 | South Carolina | $43,034 | $20.69 |
| 46 | Maine | $40,614 | $19.53 |
| 47 | Arkansas | $39,495 | $18.99 |
| 48 | Indiana | $42,691 | $20.52 |
| 49 | Louisiana | $41,570 | $19.99 |
| 50 | New Mexico | $40,678 | $19.56 |
| 51 | South Dakota | $40,225 | $19.34 |
Highest paying cities for public services librarians
The highest-paying cities for public services librarians are Santa Rosa, CA, Arlington, VA, and New Haven, CT.
| Rank | City | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Santa Rosa, CA | $62,964 | $30.27 |
| 2 | Arlington, VA | $59,276 | $28.50 |
| 3 | New Haven, CT | $56,749 | $27.28 |
| 4 | Washington, DC | $56,438 | $27.13 |
| 5 | Minneapolis, MN | $55,540 | $26.70 |
| 6 | New York, NY | $52,779 | $25.37 |
| 7 | Chelmsford, MA | $50,238 | $24.15 |
| 8 | Chicago, IL | $46,253 | $22.24 |
| 9 | Atlanta, GA | $46,178 | $22.20 |
| 10 | Austin, TX | $45,762 | $22.00 |
| 11 | Madison, WI | $44,986 | $21.63 |
| 12 | Sarasota, FL | $42,686 | $20.52 |
| 13 | Indianapolis, IN | $42,399 | $20.38 |
| 14 | Denver, CO | $41,904 | $20.15 |
| 15 | New Orleans, LA | $41,501 | $19.95 |
Public services librarian salary details
A public services librarian's salary ranges from $35,000 a year at the 10th percentile to $70,000 at the 90th percentile.
What is a public services librarian's salary?
| Percentile | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 90th Percentile | $70,000 | $5,833 | $34 |
| 75th Percentile | $59,000 | $4,917 | $28 |
| Average | $49,867 | $4,156 | $24 |
| 25th Percentile | $41,000 | $3,417 | $20 |
| 10th Percentile | $35,000 | $2,917 | $17 |
Highest paying public services librarian jobs
The highest paying types of public services librarians are circulation director, library manager, and collection management librarian.
| Job title | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate | Job openings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Instruction Librarian | $50,234 | $4,186 | $24.15 | 1,276 |
| Librarian | $53,096 | $4,425 | $25.53 | 1,264 |
| Collection Management Librarian | $56,311 | $4,693 | $27.07 | 63,441 |
| Research Librarian | $51,263 | $4,272 | $24.65 | 45,828 |
| Children's Librarian | $49,900 | $4,158 | $23.99 | 9,834 |
| Reference Librarian | $50,409 | $4,201 | $24.23 | 1,058 |
Top companies hiring public services librarians now:
Which companies pay public services librarians the most?
Public services librarian salaries at Yale University and Northern California Power Agency are the highest-paying according to our most recent salary estimates. In addition, the average public services librarian salary at companies like City of Mesquite, TX and Ohlone College are highly competitive.
| Rank | Company | Average salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Yale University | $77,193 | $37.11 |
| 2 | Northern California Power Agency | $75,127 | $36.12 |
| 3 | City of Mesquite, TX | $68,279 | $32.83 |
| 4 | Ohlone College | $67,347 | $32.38 |
| 5 | Deloitte | $65,352 | $31.42 |
| 6 | Lincoln Memorial University | $62,327 | $29.96 |
| 7 | Indianapolis Public Library | $50,765 | $24.41 |
| 8 | University of Wisconsin System | $50,352 | $24.21 |
| 9 | Kelly Services | $46,998 | $22.60 |
| 10 | California State University, Fresno | $46,104 | $22.17 |
| 11 | Trinity College | $45,495 | $21.87 |
| 12 | Zimmerman Associates | $45,453 | $21.85 |
| 13 | Sweetwater Union High School District | $42,119 | $20.25 |
| 14 | Americorps | $41,903 | $20.15 |
| 15 | Maine | $39,301 | $18.89 |
| 16 | City of Richmond | $38,333 | $18.43 |
Wage gap by gender, race and education
Public services librarian salary trends
The average public services librarian salary has risen by $5,774 over the last ten years. In 2014, the average public services librarian earned $44,093 annually, but today, they earn $49,867 a year. That works out to a 8% change in pay for public services librarians over the last decade.
Compare public services librarian salaries for cities or states with the national average over time.
Average public services librarian salary over time
Compare public services librarian salaries for individual cities or states with the national average.
Public services librarian salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | $49,900 | $23.97 | +3.6% |
| 2025 | $48,100 | $23.11 | +2.1% |
| 2024 | $47,100 | $22.64 | +0.9% |
| 2023 | $46,700 | $22.43 | +1.4% |
| 2022 | $46,000 | $22.11 | +1.4% |
Recently added public services librarian salaries
| Company | Job | Location | Date added | Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Georgetown University | Public Policy and Economics Librarian-Research Services Department | Washington, DC | 06/28/2025 | $47,586 |
| Chattahoochee Valley Libraries | Librarian-Columbus Public Library-Adult Services Department | Columbus, GA | 06/27/2025 | $45,005 |
| L3Harris | Central Technical Publication Librarian | Lexington Park, MD | 06/26/2025 | $37,000 |
| Marion Co Public Library | Public Services Librarian Juvenile) | Indianapolis, IN | 06/26/2025 | $45,760 |
| Indianapolis Marion County Public Library | Public Services Librarian Juvenile) | Indianapolis, IN | 06/16/2025 | $45,760 |
| Zuckerberg San Francisco General | Librarian I-SAN Francisco Public Library (3630, TEX As-Needed) | San Francisco, CA | 06/10/2025 | $98,882 |
| Marion Co Public Library | Public Services Librarian Juvenile) | Indianapolis, IN | 05/28/2025 | $45,914 |
| Cabarrus County | Public Services Librarian-Afton Ridge | Concord, NC | 05/25/2025 | $49,317 |
| Indianapolis Marion County Public Library | Public Services Librarian Juvenile) | Indianapolis, IN | 05/20/2025 | $45,914 |
| Western | Student Success Librarian-Public Services | Gunnison, CO | 05/13/2025 | $50,000 |
Public services librarian salary FAQs
Search for public services librarian jobs