Creative & Education Boulder, CO Pop. 105,673

Librarian Salary in Boulder, Colorado

The median librarian salary in Boulder, CO is $78,323 per year, which is 28.0% above the national median and 21.9% above the Colorado state average.

City Median
$78,323
vs State Avg
+$14,073
vs National
+$17,133
Cost of Living
128%

Librarian Pay in Boulder: What to Expect (2026)

Boulder offers a median librarian salary of $78,323, which is $14,073 above the Colorado state average of $64,250. Compared to the national median of $61,190, Boulder pays above average for this role.

However, Boulder's cost of living index is 128%, significantly above the national average. After adjusting for local costs, the $78,323 salary has an effective purchasing power of approximately $61,190. Housing, transportation, and food costs in Boulder should be factored into any relocation or job-change decision.

The salary range for librarians in Boulder spans from $50,176 at the 10th percentile to $123,648 at the 90th percentile — a $73,472 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $53,760, while senior librarians with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $112,640. With a population of 105,673, Boulder is a mid-sized metro with a growing job market.

Librarian Salary in Boulder by Experience

In Boulder, an entry-level librarian earns around $53,760, while experienced professionals earn up to $112,640 per year. The local cost of living index is 128% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$53,760
+$11,760 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$79,360
+$17,360 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$112,640
+$24,640 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Boulder, CO

Percentile Boulder
10th Percentile $50,176
25th Percentile $62,720
Median (50th) $78,323
75th Percentile $98,816
90th Percentile $123,648

Librarian Salary in Other Colorado Cities

Denver, CO
$68,533
Pop. 715,522
Fort Collins, CO
$64,861
Pop. 169,810
Aurora, CO
$64,250
Pop. 386,261
Colorado Springs, CO
$61,190
Pop. 478,961

How to Become a Librarian in Boulder

Education

Most librarian positions require a master's degree. Boulder and the surrounding Colorado 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 Boulder may vary based on local industry and population growth.

Find Librarian Jobs in Boulder

Browse open librarian positions in Boulder, CO:

Indeed → LinkedIn → ZipRecruiter → Glassdoor →

Frequently Asked Questions: Librarian Salary in Boulder

How much does a Librarian make in Boulder, CO? ▼
The median librarian salary in Boulder, Colorado is $78,323 per year, which is 28.0% above the national median of $61,190. Salaries range from $50,176 (10th percentile) to $123,648 (90th percentile).
How much does a Librarian make per hour in Boulder? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $78,323, a librarian in Boulder earns approximately $38 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Boulder compare to the Colorado state average for librarian pay? ▼
Boulder's median librarian salary of $78,323 is 21.9% above the Colorado state average of $64,250. The local cost of living index is 128% of the national average.
What is the cost of living in Boulder, CO? ▼
Boulder has a cost of living index of 128% compared to the national average. This means a librarian salary of $78,323 in Boulder has less purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a librarian in Boulder? ▼
Most librarian positions in Boulder 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.