Creative & Education Portland, OR Pop. 652,503

Librarian Salary in Portland, Oregon

The median librarian salary in Portland, OR is $72,204 per year, which is 18.0% above the national median and 7.3% above the Oregon state average.

City Median
$72,204
vs State Avg
+$4,895
vs National
+$11,014
Cost of Living
118%

Librarian Pay in Portland: What to Expect (2026)

Portland offers a median librarian salary of $72,204, which is $4,895 above the Oregon state average of $67,309. Compared to the national median of $61,190, Portland pays above average for this role.

However, Portland's cost of living index is 118%, significantly above the national average. After adjusting for local costs, the $72,204 salary has an effective purchasing power of approximately $61,190. Housing, transportation, and food costs in Portland should be factored into any relocation or job-change decision.

The salary range for librarians in Portland spans from $46,256 at the 10th percentile to $113,988 at the 90th percentile — a $67,732 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $49,560, while senior librarians with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $103,840. As a major metro area with a population of 652,503, Portland typically offers more job opportunities and employer competition, which can drive salaries higher.

Librarian Salary in Portland by Experience

In Portland, an entry-level librarian earns around $49,560, while experienced professionals earn up to $103,840 per year. The local cost of living index is 118% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$49,560
+$7,560 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$73,160
+$11,160 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$103,840
+$15,840 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Portland, OR

Percentile Portland
10th Percentile $46,256
25th Percentile $57,820
Median (50th) $72,204
75th Percentile $91,096
90th Percentile $113,988

Librarian Salary in Other Oregon Cities

Hillsboro, OR
$68,533
Pop. 106,447
Gresham, OR
$66,085
Pop. 113,103
Eugene, OR
$64,250
Pop. 176,654
Salem, OR
$62,414
Pop. 175,535

How to Become a Librarian in Portland

Education

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

Find Librarian Jobs in Portland

Browse open librarian positions in Portland, OR:

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Frequently Asked Questions: Librarian Salary in Portland

How much does a Librarian make in Portland, OR? ▼
The median librarian salary in Portland, Oregon is $72,204 per year, which is 18.0% above the national median of $61,190. Salaries range from $46,256 (10th percentile) to $113,988 (90th percentile).
How much does a Librarian make per hour in Portland? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $72,204, a librarian in Portland earns approximately $35 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Portland compare to the Oregon state average for librarian pay? ▼
Portland's median librarian salary of $72,204 is 7.3% above the Oregon state average of $67,309. The local cost of living index is 118% of the national average.
What is the cost of living in Portland, OR? ▼
Portland has a cost of living index of 118% compared to the national average. This means a librarian salary of $72,204 in Portland has less purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a librarian in Portland? ▼
Most librarian positions in Portland 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.