Creative & Education New Orleans, LA Pop. 383,997

Librarian Salary in New Orleans, Louisiana

The median librarian salary in New Orleans, LA is $59,966 per year, which is 2% below the national median and 7.7% above the Louisiana state average.

City Median
$59,966
vs State Avg
+$4,283
vs National
$-1,224
Cost of Living
98%

Librarian Pay in New Orleans: What to Expect (2026)

New Orleans offers a median librarian salary of $59,966, which is $4,283 above the Louisiana state average of $55,683. Compared to the national median of $61,190, New Orleans pays below the national benchmark for this role.

New Orleans's cost of living is 98% of the national average, meaning salary figures here closely reflect actual purchasing power. This makes direct comparisons to other cities straightforward.

The salary range for librarians in New Orleans spans from $38,416 at the 10th percentile to $94,668 at the 90th percentile — a $56,252 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $41,160, while senior librarians with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $86,240. With a population of 383,997, New Orleans is a mid-sized metro with a growing job market.

Librarian Salary in New Orleans by Experience

In New Orleans, an entry-level librarian earns around $41,160, while experienced professionals earn up to $86,240 per year. The local cost of living index is 98% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$41,160
$-840 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$60,760
$-1,240 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$86,240
$-1,760 vs national

Salary Percentiles in New Orleans, LA

Percentile New Orleans
10th Percentile $38,416
25th Percentile $48,020
Median (50th) $59,966
75th Percentile $75,656
90th Percentile $94,668

Librarian Salary in Other Louisiana Cities

Baton Rouge, LA
$56,295
Pop. 227,470
Lafayette, LA
$53,847
Pop. 121,374
Lake Charles, LA
$52,623
Pop. 80,000
Shreveport, LA
$52,012
Pop. 187,593

How to Become a Librarian in New Orleans

Education

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

Find Librarian Jobs in New Orleans

Browse open librarian positions in New Orleans, LA:

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Frequently Asked Questions: Librarian Salary in New Orleans

How much does a Librarian make in New Orleans, LA? ▼
The median librarian salary in New Orleans, Louisiana is $59,966 per year, which is 2% below the national median of $61,190. Salaries range from $38,416 (10th percentile) to $94,668 (90th percentile).
How much does a Librarian make per hour in New Orleans? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $59,966, a librarian in New Orleans earns approximately $29 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does New Orleans compare to the Louisiana state average for librarian pay? ▼
New Orleans's median librarian salary of $59,966 is 7.7% above the Louisiana state average of $55,683. The local cost of living index is 98% of the national average.
What is the cost of living in New Orleans, LA? ▼
New Orleans has a cost of living index of 98% compared to the national average. This means a librarian salary of $59,966 in New Orleans has more purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a librarian in New Orleans? ▼
Most librarian positions in New Orleans 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.