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School librarian salary
Average school librarian salary
$51,202
Understanding School Librarian Salaries
The role of a school librarian is critical in educational settings, serving as a resource for students and faculty alike. As of October 2025, the average annual salary for a school librarian stands at $51,202. This figure can fluctuate based on several factors including state, district funding, and years of experience in the field. For example, librarians in states like California and New York often report higher salaries compared to their counterparts in other states.
In addition to location, experience plays a significant role in determining salary. Entry-level positions may start around $40,000, while seasoned librarians with advanced degrees can earn upwards of $70,000. Understanding these dynamics helps aspiring school librarians navigate their career paths effectively.
Salary Variations by State
To illustrate, here’s a brief overview of average salaries by state:
- California: $65,000
- New York: $62,000
- Texas: $50,000
- Florida: $48,000
By comparing these figures, potential school librarians can gauge their opportunities and make informed decisions about their career trajectories.
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Where can a School Librarian earn more?
School librarian salary estimates from across the web
Average school librarian salary by state
The average school librarian salary in Alaska, Pennsylvania, and New Jersey are the highest in the U.S. The lowest average school librarian salary states are Texas, Arizona, and Wyoming.
- State view
- County view
Highest paying states for school librarians
| Rank | State | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Connecticut | $60,878 | $29.27 |
| 2 | Alaska | $69,983 | $33.65 |
| 3 | New Jersey | $61,657 | $29.64 |
| 4 | Oregon | $60,056 | $28.87 |
| 5 | Pennsylvania | $63,176 | $30.37 |
| 6 | Michigan | $57,909 | $27.84 |
| 7 | Rhode Island | $54,032 | $25.98 |
| 8 | Minnesota | $56,865 | $27.34 |
| 9 | Massachusetts | $61,123 | $29.39 |
| 10 | Washington | $60,055 | $28.87 |
| 11 | New Hampshire | $51,795 | $24.90 |
| 12 | Delaware | $54,978 | $26.43 |
| 13 | Virginia | $59,894 | $28.80 |
| 14 | Maryland | $57,024 | $27.42 |
| 15 | Nevada | $50,409 | $24.24 |
| 16 | District of Columbia | $58,838 | $28.29 |
| 17 | California | $57,997 | $27.88 |
| 18 | North Dakota | $55,487 | $26.68 |
| 19 | Wisconsin | $51,985 | $24.99 |
| 20 | Illinois | $46,526 | $22.37 |
| 21 | Vermont | $49,316 | $23.71 |
| 22 | Idaho | $45,337 | $21.80 |
| 23 | Nebraska | $49,544 | $23.82 |
| 24 | Utah | $52,663 | $25.32 |
| 25 | Mississippi | $48,032 | $23.09 |
| 26 | Ohio | $47,289 | $22.74 |
| 27 | New York | $48,057 | $23.10 |
| 28 | Indiana | $45,100 | $21.68 |
| 29 | West Virginia | $47,183 | $22.68 |
| 30 | North Carolina | $46,202 | $22.21 |
| 31 | Kansas | $42,400 | $20.38 |
| 32 | Maine | $44,428 | $21.36 |
| 33 | Iowa | $43,795 | $21.06 |
| 34 | Montana | $41,282 | $19.85 |
| 35 | Missouri | $41,239 | $19.83 |
| 36 | Kentucky | $43,941 | $21.13 |
| 37 | South Carolina | $42,337 | $20.35 |
| 38 | Arizona | $38,630 | $18.57 |
| 39 | Wyoming | $38,421 | $18.47 |
| 40 | Oklahoma | $39,757 | $19.11 |
| 41 | Georgia | $44,033 | $21.17 |
| 42 | New Mexico | $38,186 | $18.36 |
| 43 | Hawaii | $47,935 | $23.05 |
| 44 | Louisiana | $39,006 | $18.75 |
| 45 | Tennessee | $41,153 | $19.79 |
| 46 | Alabama | $41,469 | $19.94 |
| 47 | Colorado | $39,639 | $19.06 |
| 48 | Texas | $38,722 | $18.62 |
| 49 | South Dakota | $39,724 | $19.10 |
| 50 | Arkansas | $36,776 | $17.68 |
| 51 | Florida | $38,309 | $18.42 |
Highest paying cities for school librarians
The highest-paying cities for school librarians are Sacramento, CA, Summit, NJ, and Boston, MA.
| Rank | City | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sacramento, CA | $67,254 | $32.33 |
| 2 | Summit, NJ | $61,609 | $29.62 |
| 3 | Boston, MA | $61,049 | $29.35 |
| 4 | Washington, DC | $58,877 | $28.31 |
| 5 | Saint Paul, MN | $56,954 | $27.38 |
| 6 | Minneapolis, MN | $56,924 | $27.37 |
| 7 | New York, NY | $48,209 | $23.18 |
| 8 | East Saint Louis, IL | $41,973 | $20.18 |
| 9 | Ridgeland, SC | $41,370 | $19.89 |
| 10 | Baton Rouge, LA | $39,109 | $18.80 |
| 11 | Keller, TX | $38,805 | $18.66 |
| 12 | Leander, TX | $38,762 | $18.64 |
| 13 | Newcomb, NM | $38,736 | $18.62 |
| 14 | Austin, TX | $38,709 | $18.61 |
School librarian salary details
A school librarian's salary ranges from $34,000 a year at the 10th percentile to $75,000 at the 90th percentile.
What is a school librarian's salary?
| Percentile | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 90th Percentile | $75,000 | $6,250 | $36 |
| 75th Percentile | $62,000 | $5,167 | $30 |
| Average | $51,202 | $4,267 | $25 |
| 25th Percentile | $41,000 | $3,417 | $20 |
| 10th Percentile | $34,000 | $2,833 | $16 |
Highest paying school librarian jobs
The highest paying types of school librarians are circulation director, library manager, and collection management librarian.
| Job title | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate | Job openings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Collection Management Librarian | $56,311 | $4,693 | $27.07 | 63,441 |
| Technical Services Librarian | $50,657 | $4,221 | $24.35 | 118,696 |
| Youth Services Librarian | $49,971 | $4,164 | $24.02 | 55,418 |
| Reference Librarian | $50,409 | $4,201 | $24.23 | 1,058 |
| Instruction Librarian | $50,234 | $4,186 | $24.15 | 1,276 |
| Children's Librarian | $49,900 | $4,158 | $23.99 | 9,834 |
Which companies pay school librarians the most?
School librarian salaries at Poly Prep Country Day School and Boston Public Schools are the highest-paying according to our most recent salary estimates. In addition, the average school librarian salary at companies like Kent Place School and Georgetown University are highly competitive.
| Rank | Company | Average salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Poly Prep Country Day School | $75,473 | $36.29 |
| 2 | Boston Public Schools | $68,819 | $33.09 |
| 3 | Kent Place School | $66,923 | $32.17 |
| 4 | Georgetown University | $60,755 | $29.21 |
| 5 | Leander ISD | $52,527 | $25.25 |
| 6 | University Of Minnesota Physicians | $51,046 | $24.54 |
| 7 | East St Louis School District 189 | $46,072 | $22.15 |
| 8 | Catholic Diocese of Sacramento | $35,627 | $17.13 |
Wage gap by gender, race and education
School librarian salary trends
The average school librarian salary has risen by $5,929 over the last ten years. In 2014, the average school librarian earned $45,273 annually, but today, they earn $51,202 a year. That works out to a 8% change in pay for school librarians over the last decade.
Compare school librarian salaries for cities or states with the national average over time.
Average school librarian salary over time
Compare school librarian salaries for individual cities or states with the national average.
School librarian salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $51,200 | $24.62 | +3.6% |
| 2024 | $49,400 | $23.73 | +2.1% |
| 2023 | $48,300 | $23.24 | +0.9% |
| 2022 | $47,900 | $23.03 | +1.4% |
| 2021 | $47,200 | $22.70 | +1.4% |
Recently added school librarian salaries
| Company | Job | Location | Date added | Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| The Principia | Upper and Middle School Innovation Librarian | Saint Louis, MO | 06/29/2025 | $49,143 |
| Seattle Public Schools | Seattle World School-Librarian FTE | Seattle, WA | 06/26/2025 | $72,908 |
| Nottoway County School Dist | Librarian-Intermediate School | Crewe, VA | 06/22/2025 | $50,583 |
| Lakeside School | Upper School Librarian (ONE Year | Ione, WA | 06/13/2025 | $72,388 |
| Archdiocese of Seattle Catholic Schools | Librarian at ST. Anthony School | Renton, WA | 06/04/2025 | $48,001 |
| Anchorage Schools | Elementary School Librarian | Anchorage, AK | 05/23/2025 | $56,823 |
| Ohio Department of Education | Librarian School Year | Akron, OH | 05/21/2025 | $46,609 |
| Kennedy International School | School Librarian (Professeur Documentaliste) | New York, NY | 05/21/2025 | $80,250 |
| Akron Public Schools | Librarian School Year | Akron, OH | 05/21/2025 | $46,609 |
| Aerrc-Alaska Teacher and Personnel | Open Recruitment: Elementary School Librarian SY) | Nome, AK | 05/17/2025 | $56,823 |
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