Librarian Salary Calculator
Median librarian pay is $68,270 a year. See pay by state and calculate your take-home pay after federal tax, state tax and FICA.
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About the Librarian Salary Calculator
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025), the median librarian salary is $68,270 a year (about $32.82 an hour). The lowest 10 percent earned less than $43,660 and the highest 10 percent earned more than $103,990. The mean annual wage is $72,840 and about 133,790 people work in this occupation.
How to use it
- Leave the annual salary at the national median or type your own pay.
- Choose your state and filing status and add any 401(k) contribution.
- Press Calculate take-home pay to see your librarian pay per year, month, paycheck and hour.
Librarian salary by state (2026)
Washington pays librarians the most, with an average of $98,530 a year, and West Virginia pays the least at $46,340. State averages come from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OEWS, May 2025). The monthly take-home column is an estimate for a single filer using the 2026 federal standard deduction, Social Security, Medicare and each state's 2026 income tax brackets.
Highest-paying states: Washington ($98,530), District of Columbia ($96,550), California ($92,300), Maryland ($89,530), New York ($84,890).
Lowest-paying states: West Virginia ($46,340), Wyoming ($49,500), South-Dakota ($53,840), Arkansas ($54,130), Mississippi ($54,220).
| State | Average annual salary | Est. take-home / month |
|---|---|---|
| Washington | $98,530 | $6,512 |
| District of Columbia | $96,550 | $6,396 |
| California | $92,300 | $5,784 |
| Maryland | $89,530 | $5,660 |
| New York | $84,890 | $5,380 |
| Connecticut | $82,290 | $5,314 |
| New Jersey | $82,240 | $5,303 |
| Nevada | $81,580 | $5,518 |
| Delaware | $80,970 | $5,149 |
| Massachusetts | $80,220 | $5,123 |
| Oregon | $78,580 | $4,839 |
| Virginia | $77,240 | $4,962 |
| Rhode Island | $76,960 | $5,059 |
| Alaska | $76,430 | $5,217 |
| Minnesota | $75,800 | $4,877 |
| Georgia | $75,300 | $4,877 |
| Colorado | $75,070 | $4,921 |
| Hawaii | $72,460 | $4,652 |
| Texas | $72,400 | $4,980 |
| Illinois | $69,420 | $4,531 |
| Florida | $68,540 | $4,754 |
| Wisconsin | $68,360 | $4,557 |
| New Hampshire | $67,000 | $4,664 |
| Pennsylvania | $66,530 | $4,466 |
| Kentucky | $65,970 | $4,416 |
| New Mexico | $65,900 | $4,433 |
| Montana | $64,940 | $4,338 |
| North Dakota | $64,550 | $4,504 |
| South Carolina | $64,320 | $4,263 |
| North Carolina | $64,140 | $4,306 |
| Vermont | $63,660 | $4,299 |
| Ohio | $63,350 | $4,343 |
| Nebraska | $63,200 | $4,247 |
| Alabama | $63,100 | $4,166 |
| Michigan | $63,020 | $4,199 |
| Kansas | $61,760 | $4,096 |
| Arizona | $61,670 | $4,200 |
| Tennessee | $61,560 | $4,304 |
| Utah | $61,500 | $4,149 |
| Louisiana | $61,410 | $4,172 |
| Maine | $60,770 | $4,007 |
| Missouri | $59,470 | $4,009 |
| Iowa | $58,520 | $3,969 |
| Idaho | $57,950 | $3,898 |
| Oklahoma | $57,740 | $3,877 |
| Indiana | $55,660 | $3,774 |
| Mississippi | $54,220 | $3,692 |
| Arkansas | $54,130 | $3,648 |
| South-Dakota | $53,840 | $3,787 |
| Wyoming | $49,500 | $3,496 |
| West Virginia | $46,340 | $3,171 |
Click a state to see a full paycheck breakdown. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025.
Librarian pay and take-home by percentile (no state income tax)
| Level | Gross a year | Per hour | Take-home / month |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lowest 10% (cut-off) | $43,660 | $20.99 | $3,105 |
| Median | $68,270 | $32.82 | $4,738 |
| Highest 10% (cut-off) | $103,990 | $50.00 | $6,832 |
Single filer, 2026 federal standard deduction, Social Security and Medicare. Pay varies by employer, experience, shift differentials and overtime. The median is a national figure, not an offer or a guarantee.
Frequently asked questions
How much do librarians make a year?
The median pay for librarians was $68,270 a year ($32.82 an hour) in May 2025, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $43,660 and the highest 10 percent earned more than $103,990.
How much does a librarian take home after taxes?
On the national median of $68,270, a single filer in a state with no income tax keeps about $56,858 a year ($4,738 a month) after federal income tax and FICA. Use the calculator above for your state.
Which state pays librarians the most?
Washington has the highest average pay for librarians, about $98,530 a year, followed by District of Columbia ($96,550) and California ($92,300), according to BLS May 2025 data.
What is the hourly pay for librarians?
The median is about $32.82 an hour, based on 2,080 working hours a year. The mean wage across the country is $72,840 a year.
What is the lowest-paying state for librarians?
West Virginia has the lowest average pay at about $46,340 a year. Pay depends on cost of living, employer, experience and demand.
Last reviewed: November 2026. Estimates only, not tax or financial advice.