Creative & Education Cleveland, OH Pop. 372,624

Librarian Salary in Cleveland, Ohio

The median librarian salary in Cleveland, OH is $52,623 per year, which is 14% below the national median and 4.4% below the Ohio state average.

City Median
$52,623
vs State Avg
$-2,448
vs National
$-8,567
Cost of Living
86%

Librarian Pay in Cleveland: What to Expect (2026)

Cleveland offers a median librarian salary of $52,623, which is $2,448 below the Ohio state average of $55,071. Compared to the national median of $61,190, Cleveland pays below the national benchmark for this role.

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

The salary range for librarians in Cleveland 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 372,624, Cleveland is a mid-sized metro with a growing job market.

Librarian Salary in Cleveland by Experience

In Cleveland, 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 Cleveland, OH

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

Librarian Salary in Other Ohio Cities

Columbus, OH
$58,131
Pop. 905,748
Cincinnati, OH
$55,071
Pop. 309,317
Akron, OH
$51,400
Pop. 190,469
Toledo, OH
$50,176
Pop. 270,871

How to Become a Librarian in Cleveland

Education

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

Find Librarian Jobs in Cleveland

Browse open librarian positions in Cleveland, OH:

Indeed → LinkedIn → ZipRecruiter → Glassdoor →

Frequently Asked Questions: Librarian Salary in Cleveland

How much does a Librarian make in Cleveland, OH? ▼
The median librarian salary in Cleveland, Ohio 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 Cleveland? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $52,623, a librarian in Cleveland earns approximately $25 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Cleveland compare to the Ohio state average for librarian pay? ▼
Cleveland's median librarian salary of $52,623 is 4.4% below the Ohio state average of $55,071. The local cost of living index is 86% of the national average.
What is the cost of living in Cleveland, OH? ▼
Cleveland has a cost of living index of 86% compared to the national average. This means a librarian salary of $52,623 in Cleveland has more purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a librarian in Cleveland? ▼
Most librarian positions in Cleveland 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.