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Special library librarian salary
Average special library librarian salary
$52,343
Understanding the Role of a Special Library Librarian
A Special Library Librarian specializes in managing and curating collections tailored to specific industries or organizations, such as law firms, corporations, or medical institutions. The average salary of $52,343 reflects the specialized skills required for this role. Salaries vary by factors like experience, educational background, and geographic location.
Salary Insights by Location
In states like California and New York, Special Library Librarians often earn higher salaries due to the cost of living and demand for specialized skills. The highest-paying cities typically include metropolitan areas with robust library systems and diverse information needs.
Career Advancement
Gaining additional certifications or advanced degrees can significantly enhance salary prospects. Additionally, librarians with experience in digital resources or data management are increasingly sought after. For those considering a career in this field, understanding the salary landscape can help in making informed decisions about education and job opportunities.
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Where can a Special Library Librarian earn more?
Average special library librarian salary by state
The average special library librarian salary in Alaska, Washington, and New Jersey are the highest in the U.S. The lowest average special library librarian salary states are Arizona, South Dakota, and New Mexico.
- State view
- County view
Highest paying states for special library librarians
| Rank | State | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pennsylvania | $62,698 | $30.14 |
| 2 | Connecticut | $61,626 | $29.63 |
| 3 | Washington | $66,473 | $31.96 |
| 4 | Oregon | $62,307 | $29.96 |
| 5 | Alaska | $72,450 | $34.83 |
| 6 | Michigan | $57,710 | $27.75 |
| 7 | Nebraska | $54,138 | $26.03 |
| 8 | Utah | $57,188 | $27.49 |
| 9 | New Jersey | $62,873 | $30.23 |
| 10 | North Dakota | $56,613 | $27.22 |
| 11 | Minnesota | $57,749 | $27.76 |
| 12 | Virginia | $60,533 | $29.10 |
| 13 | Ohio | $48,664 | $23.40 |
| 14 | District of Columbia | $58,879 | $28.31 |
| 15 | Nevada | $53,261 | $25.61 |
| 16 | New Hampshire | $50,101 | $24.09 |
| 17 | Delaware | $54,855 | $26.37 |
| 18 | Rhode Island | $52,493 | $25.24 |
| 19 | Illinois | $51,317 | $24.67 |
| 20 | Maryland | $56,935 | $27.37 |
| 21 | Idaho | $53,208 | $25.58 |
| 22 | Kentucky | $45,916 | $22.07 |
| 23 | New York | $54,361 | $26.14 |
| 24 | Mississippi | $52,776 | $25.37 |
| 25 | Massachusetts | $55,353 | $26.61 |
| 26 | California | $56,984 | $27.40 |
| 27 | Vermont | $48,010 | $23.08 |
| 28 | Wisconsin | $46,943 | $22.57 |
| 29 | West Virginia | $47,806 | $22.98 |
| 30 | Missouri | $44,756 | $21.52 |
| 31 | Texas | $48,773 | $23.45 |
| 32 | Oklahoma | $43,736 | $21.03 |
| 33 | Hawaii | $53,818 | $25.87 |
| 34 | Kansas | $46,573 | $22.39 |
| 35 | Iowa | $46,206 | $22.21 |
| 36 | North Carolina | $47,547 | $22.86 |
| 37 | Arizona | $42,559 | $20.46 |
| 38 | Wyoming | $41,752 | $20.07 |
| 39 | Montana | $43,836 | $21.07 |
| 40 | Indiana | $43,837 | $21.08 |
| 41 | Georgia | $47,362 | $22.77 |
| 42 | Tennessee | $43,904 | $21.11 |
| 43 | Alabama | $45,239 | $21.75 |
| 44 | New Mexico | $41,758 | $20.08 |
| 45 | Colorado | $44,876 | $21.57 |
| 46 | South Carolina | $44,463 | $21.38 |
| 47 | Arkansas | $40,273 | $19.36 |
| 48 | Maine | $43,175 | $20.76 |
| 49 | South Dakota | $41,911 | $20.15 |
| 50 | Louisiana | $42,996 | $20.67 |
| 51 | Florida | $41,679 | $20.04 |
Highest paying cities for special library librarians
The highest-paying cities for special library librarians are San Francisco, CA, Philadelphia, PA, and Eugene, OR.
| Rank | City | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | San Francisco, CA | $63,363 | $30.46 |
| 2 | Philadelphia, PA | $63,135 | $30.35 |
| 3 | Eugene, OR | $62,449 | $30.02 |
| 4 | Norfolk, VA | $60,541 | $29.11 |
| 5 | Reno, NV | $59,122 | $28.42 |
| 6 | Saint Paul, MN | $57,788 | $27.78 |
| 7 | Salt Lake City, UT | $57,140 | $27.47 |
| 8 | Worcester, MA | $55,720 | $26.79 |
| 9 | New York, NY | $54,664 | $26.28 |
| 10 | Greenville, NC | $49,375 | $23.74 |
| 11 | Morgantown, WV | $49,321 | $23.71 |
| 12 | Columbus, OH | $48,302 | $23.22 |
| 13 | Missoula, MT | $44,997 | $21.63 |
| 14 | Denver, CO | $44,863 | $21.57 |
| 15 | Saint Louis, MO | $44,840 | $21.56 |
| 16 | Sarasota, FL | $42,150 | $20.26 |
Special library librarian salary details
A special library librarian's salary ranges from $37,000 a year at the 10th percentile to $72,000 at the 90th percentile.
What is a special library librarian's salary?
| Percentile | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 90th Percentile | $72,000 | $6,000 | $35 |
| 75th Percentile | $62,000 | $5,167 | $30 |
| Average | $52,343 | $4,362 | $25 |
| 25th Percentile | $44,000 | $3,667 | $21 |
| 10th Percentile | $37,000 | $3,083 | $18 |
Highest paying special library librarian jobs
The highest paying types of special library librarians are circulation director, library manager, and collection management librarian.
| Job title | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate | Job openings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Children's Librarian | $49,900 | $4,158 | $23.99 | 9,834 |
| Librarian | $53,096 | $4,425 | $25.53 | 1,264 |
| Youth Services Librarian | $49,971 | $4,164 | $24.02 | 55,418 |
| Collection Management Librarian | $56,311 | $4,693 | $27.07 | 63,441 |
| Reference Librarian | $50,409 | $4,201 | $24.23 | 1,058 |
| Research Librarian | $51,263 | $4,272 | $24.65 | 45,828 |
Top companies hiring special library librarians now:
Which companies pay special library librarians the most?
Special library librarian salaries at Northern California Power Agency and New York University are the highest-paying according to our most recent salary estimates. In addition, the average special library librarian salary at companies like City of Anaheim and University of Nevada, Reno are highly competitive.
| Rank | Company | Average salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Northern California Power Agency | $75,699 | $36.39 |
| 2 | New York University | $72,029 | $34.63 |
| 3 | City of Anaheim | $71,862 | $34.55 |
| 4 | University of Nevada, Reno | $63,480 | $30.52 |
| 5 | West Virginia University | $59,226 | $28.47 |
| 6 | Salt Lake County | $58,901 | $28.32 |
| 7 | The New York Public Library | $53,550 | $25.75 |
| 8 | Virginia's Community Colleges | $53,306 | $25.63 |
| 9 | WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA | $52,962 | $25.46 |
| 10 | Pueblo | $52,482 | $25.23 |
| 11 | Boston University | $49,460 | $23.78 |
| 12 | University of Pennsylvania | $48,009 | $23.08 |
| 13 | City of Worcester | $43,998 | $21.15 |
| 14 | Americorps | $41,370 | $19.89 |
| 15 | University of Montana | $38,948 | $18.73 |
| 16 | Columbus Metropolitan Library | $26,294 | $12.64 |
Wage gap by gender, race and education
Special library librarian salary trends
The average special library librarian salary has risen by $6,061 over the last ten years. In 2014, the average special library librarian earned $46,282 annually, but today, they earn $52,343 a year. That works out to a 8% change in pay for special library librarians over the last decade.
Compare special library librarian salaries for cities or states with the national average over time.
Average special library librarian salary over time
Compare special library librarian salaries for individual cities or states with the national average.
Special library librarian salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $52,300 | $25.16 | +3.6% |
| 2024 | $50,500 | $24.26 | +2.1% |
| 2023 | $49,400 | $23.76 | +0.9% |
| 2022 | $49,000 | $23.55 | +1.4% |
| 2021 | $48,300 | $23.21 | +1.4% |
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