Librarian Salary in Owensboro, KY: $50,176 (2026)

Librarian Pay in Owensboro: What to Expect (2026)

Owensboro offers a median librarian salary of $50,176, which is $3,059 below the Kentucky state average of $53,235. Compared to the national median of $61,190, Owensboro pays below the national benchmark for this role.

One of Owensboro'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 Owensboro an attractive option for librarians seeking strong real-dollar compensation.

The salary range for librarians in Owensboro 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. Owensboro is a smaller market (pop. 60,183), which may mean fewer openings but also less competition for available positions.

Librarian Salary in Owensboro by Experience

In Owensboro, 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

Percentile	Owensboro	KY State	National
10th Percentile	$32,144	$34,104	$39,200
25th Percentile	$40,180	$42,630	$49,000
Median (50th)	$50,176	$53,235	$61,190
75th Percentile	$63,304	$67,164	$77,200
90th Percentile	$79,212	$84,042	$96,600

Percentile

Owensboro

10th Percentile

$32,144

25th Percentile

$40,180

Median (50th)

$50,176

75th Percentile

$63,304

90th Percentile

$79,212

How to Become a Librarian in Owensboro

Education

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

Frequently Asked Questions: Librarian Salary in Owensboro

How much does a Librarian make in Owensboro, KY? ▼

The median librarian salary in Owensboro, Kentucky 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 Owensboro? ▼

Based on the median annual salary of $50,176, a librarian in Owensboro earns approximately $24 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.

How does Owensboro compare to the Kentucky state average for librarian pay? ▼

Owensboro's median librarian salary of $50,176 is 5.7% below the Kentucky state average of $53,235. The local cost of living index is 82% of the national average.

What is the cost of living in Owensboro, KY? ▼

Owensboro has a cost of living index of 82% compared to the national average. This means a librarian salary of $50,176 in Owensboro has more purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.

What qualifications do I need to become a librarian in Owensboro? ▼

Most librarian positions in Owensboro 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.

Librarian Salary in Owensboro, Kentucky