Creative & Education Chicago, IL Pop. 2,693,976

Librarian Salary in Chicago, Illinois

The median librarian salary in Chicago, IL is $65,473 per year, which is 7.0% above the national median and 12.6% above the Illinois state average.

City Median
$65,473
vs State Avg
+$7,342
vs National
+$4,283
Cost of Living
107%

Librarian Salary in Chicago by Experience

In Chicago, an entry-level librarian earns around $44,940, while experienced professionals earn up to $94,160 per year. The local cost of living index is 107% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$44,940
+$2,940 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$66,340
+$4,340 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$94,160
+$6,160 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Chicago, IL

Percentile Chicago
10th Percentile $41,944
25th Percentile $52,430
Median (50th) $65,473
75th Percentile $82,604
90th Percentile $103,362

Librarian Salary in Other Illinois Cities

Naperville, IL
$66,085
Pop. 149,540
Aurora, IL
$58,131
Pop. 197,757
Springfield, IL
$52,012
Pop. 114,394
Rockford, IL
$50,176
Pop. 148,655

How to Become a Librarian in Chicago

Education

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

Find Librarian Jobs in Chicago

Browse open librarian positions in Chicago, IL:

Indeed → LinkedIn → ZipRecruiter → Glassdoor →

Frequently Asked Questions: Librarian Salary in Chicago

How much does a Librarian make in Chicago, IL? ▼
The median librarian salary in Chicago, Illinois is $65,473 per year, which is 7.0% above the national median of $61,190. Salaries range from $41,944 (10th percentile) to $103,362 (90th percentile).
How much does a Librarian make per hour in Chicago? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $65,473, a librarian in Chicago earns approximately $31 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Chicago compare to the Illinois state average for librarian pay? ▼
Chicago's median librarian salary of $65,473 is 12.6% above the Illinois state average of $58,131. The local cost of living index is 107% of the national average.
What is the cost of living in Chicago, IL? ▼
Chicago has a cost of living index of 107% compared to the national average. This means a librarian salary of $65,473 in Chicago has less purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a librarian in Chicago? ▼
Most librarian positions in Chicago 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.