Creative & Education Winston-Salem, NC Pop. 249,545

Librarian Salary in Winston-Salem, North Carolina

The median librarian salary in Winston-Salem, NC is $52,623 per year, which is 14% below the national median and 6.5% below the North Carolina state average.

City Median
$52,623
vs State Avg
$-3,672
vs National
$-8,567
Cost of Living
86%

Librarian Pay in Winston-Salem: What to Expect (2026)

Winston-Salem offers a median librarian salary of $52,623, which is $3,672 below the North Carolina state average of $56,295. Compared to the national median of $61,190, Winston-Salem pays below the national benchmark for this role.

One of Winston-Salem's biggest advantages is its low cost of living at 86% of the national average. This means the $52,623 salary stretches further here — equivalent to roughly $61,190 in an average-cost city. This makes Winston-Salem an attractive option for librarians seeking strong real-dollar compensation.

The salary range for librarians in Winston-Salem spans from $33,712 at the 10th percentile to $83,076 at the 90th percentile — a $49,364 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $36,120, while senior librarians with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $75,680. With a population of 249,545, Winston-Salem is a mid-sized metro with a growing job market.

Librarian Salary in Winston-Salem by Experience

In Winston-Salem, an entry-level librarian earns around $36,120, while experienced professionals earn up to $75,680 per year. The local cost of living index is 86% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$36,120
$-5,880 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$53,320
$-8,680 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$75,680
$-12,320 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Winston-Salem, NC

Percentile Winston-Salem
10th Percentile $33,712
25th Percentile $42,140
Median (50th) $52,623
75th Percentile $66,392
90th Percentile $83,076

Librarian Salary in Other North Carolina Cities

Charlotte, NC
$59,966
Pop. 874,579
Raleigh, NC
$59,966
Pop. 467,665
Durham, NC
$58,131
Pop. 283,506
Greensboro, NC
$53,847
Pop. 299,035

How to Become a Librarian in Winston-Salem

Education

Most librarian positions require a master's degree. Winston-Salem and the surrounding North Carolina 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 Winston-Salem may vary based on local industry and population growth.

Find Librarian Jobs in Winston-Salem

Browse open librarian positions in Winston-Salem, NC:

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Frequently Asked Questions: Librarian Salary in Winston-Salem

How much does a Librarian make in Winston-Salem, NC? ▼
The median librarian salary in Winston-Salem, North Carolina is $52,623 per year, which is 14% below the national median of $61,190. Salaries range from $33,712 (10th percentile) to $83,076 (90th percentile).
How much does a Librarian make per hour in Winston-Salem? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $52,623, a librarian in Winston-Salem earns approximately $25 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Winston-Salem compare to the North Carolina state average for librarian pay? ▼
Winston-Salem's median librarian salary of $52,623 is 6.5% below the North Carolina state average of $56,295. The local cost of living index is 86% of the national average.
What is the cost of living in Winston-Salem, NC? ▼
Winston-Salem has a cost of living index of 86% compared to the national average. This means a librarian salary of $52,623 in Winston-Salem has more purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a librarian in Winston-Salem? ▼
Most librarian positions in Winston-Salem 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.