Creative & Education Rockford, IL Pop. 148,655

Librarian Salary in Rockford, Illinois

The median librarian salary in Rockford, IL is $50,176 per year, which is 18% below the national median and 13.7% below the Illinois state average.

City Median
$50,176
vs State Avg
$-7,955
vs National
$-11,014
Cost of Living
82%

Librarian Pay in Rockford: What to Expect (2026)

Rockford offers a median librarian salary of $50,176, which is $7,955 below the Illinois state average of $58,131. Compared to the national median of $61,190, Rockford pays below the national benchmark for this role.

One of Rockford's biggest advantages is its low cost of living at 82% of the national average. This means the $50,176 salary stretches further here — equivalent to roughly $61,190 in an average-cost city. This makes Rockford an attractive option for librarians seeking strong real-dollar compensation.

The salary range for librarians in Rockford spans from $32,144 at the 10th percentile to $79,212 at the 90th percentile — a $47,068 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $34,440, while senior librarians with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $72,160. With a population of 148,655, Rockford is a mid-sized metro with a growing job market.

Librarian Salary in Rockford by Experience

In Rockford, an entry-level librarian earns around $34,440, while experienced professionals earn up to $72,160 per year. The local cost of living index is 82% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$34,440
$-7,560 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$50,840
$-11,160 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$72,160
$-15,840 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Rockford, IL

Percentile Rockford
10th Percentile $32,144
25th Percentile $40,180
Median (50th) $50,176
75th Percentile $63,304
90th Percentile $79,212

Librarian Salary in Other Illinois Cities

Naperville, IL
$66,085
Pop. 149,540
Chicago, IL
$65,473
Pop. 2,693,976
Aurora, IL
$58,131
Pop. 197,757
Springfield, IL
$52,012
Pop. 114,394

How to Become a Librarian in Rockford

Education

Most librarian positions require a master's degree. Rockford 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 Rockford may vary based on local industry and population growth.

Find Librarian Jobs in Rockford

Browse open librarian positions in Rockford, IL:

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Frequently Asked Questions: Librarian Salary in Rockford

How much does a Librarian make in Rockford, IL? ▼
The median librarian salary in Rockford, Illinois is $50,176 per year, which is 18% below the national median of $61,190. Salaries range from $32,144 (10th percentile) to $79,212 (90th percentile).
How much does a Librarian make per hour in Rockford? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $50,176, a librarian in Rockford earns approximately $24 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Rockford compare to the Illinois state average for librarian pay? ▼
Rockford's median librarian salary of $50,176 is 13.7% below the Illinois state average of $58,131. The local cost of living index is 82% of the national average.
What is the cost of living in Rockford, IL? ▼
Rockford has a cost of living index of 82% compared to the national average. This means a librarian salary of $50,176 in Rockford has more purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a librarian in Rockford? ▼
Most librarian positions in Rockford 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.