Creative & Education Tuscaloosa, AL Pop. 101,129

Librarian Salary in Tuscaloosa, Alabama

The median librarian salary in Tuscaloosa, AL is $53,847 per year, which is 12% below the national median and 1.1% above the Alabama state average.

City Median
$53,847
vs State Avg
+$612
vs National
$-7,343
Cost of Living
88%

Librarian Pay in Tuscaloosa: What to Expect (2026)

Tuscaloosa offers a median librarian salary of $53,847, which is $612 above the Alabama state average of $53,235. Compared to the national median of $61,190, Tuscaloosa pays below the national benchmark for this role.

One of Tuscaloosa's biggest advantages is its low cost of living at 88% of the national average. This means the $53,847 salary stretches further here — equivalent to roughly $61,190 in an average-cost city. This makes Tuscaloosa an attractive option for librarians seeking strong real-dollar compensation.

The salary range for librarians in Tuscaloosa spans from $34,496 at the 10th percentile to $85,008 at the 90th percentile — a $50,512 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $36,960, while senior librarians with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $77,440. With a population of 101,129, Tuscaloosa is a mid-sized metro with a growing job market.

Librarian Salary in Tuscaloosa by Experience

In Tuscaloosa, an entry-level librarian earns around $36,960, while experienced professionals earn up to $77,440 per year. The local cost of living index is 88% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$36,960
$-5,040 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$54,560
$-7,440 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$77,440
$-10,560 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Tuscaloosa, AL

Percentile Tuscaloosa
10th Percentile $34,496
25th Percentile $43,120
Median (50th) $53,847
75th Percentile $67,936
90th Percentile $85,008

Librarian Salary in Other Alabama Cities

Huntsville, AL
$56,295
Pop. 216,963
Birmingham, AL
$55,071
Pop. 197,575
Montgomery, AL
$52,623
Pop. 200,603
Mobile, AL
$52,012
Pop. 187,041

How to Become a Librarian in Tuscaloosa

Education

Most librarian positions require a master's degree. Tuscaloosa and the surrounding Alabama area have institutions offering relevant programs.

Key Skills

Information ScienceResearchCatalogingCommunity ProgrammingDigital LiteracyDatabase Management

Job Outlook

Nationally, librarian employment is projected to grow 3% over the next decade (as fast as average). Demand in Tuscaloosa may vary based on local industry and population growth.

Find Librarian Jobs in Tuscaloosa

Browse open librarian positions in Tuscaloosa, AL:

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Frequently Asked Questions: Librarian Salary in Tuscaloosa

How much does a Librarian make in Tuscaloosa, AL? ▼
The median librarian salary in Tuscaloosa, Alabama is $53,847 per year, which is 12% below the national median of $61,190. Salaries range from $34,496 (10th percentile) to $85,008 (90th percentile).
How much does a Librarian make per hour in Tuscaloosa? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $53,847, a librarian in Tuscaloosa earns approximately $26 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Tuscaloosa compare to the Alabama state average for librarian pay? ▼
Tuscaloosa's median librarian salary of $53,847 is 1.1% above the Alabama state average of $53,235. The local cost of living index is 88% of the national average.
What is the cost of living in Tuscaloosa, AL? ▼
Tuscaloosa has a cost of living index of 88% compared to the national average. This means a librarian salary of $53,847 in Tuscaloosa has more purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a librarian in Tuscaloosa? ▼
Most librarian positions in Tuscaloosa require a master's degree. Key skills include Information Science, Research, Cataloging, Community Programming. The job market is projected to grow 3% nationally over the next decade.