Creative & Education Pennsylvania (PA) Rank #23 of 50

Librarian Salary in Pennsylvania

The median librarian salary in Pennsylvania is $58,742 per year, which is 4% below the national median of $61,190.

Median Salary
$58,742
vs National
$-2,448
State Rank
#23 of 50
Cost of Living
96%

Librarian Salary Overview in Pennsylvania (2026)

Pennsylvania ranks #23 out of 50 states for librarian compensation. Pennsylvania falls in the middle of the pack for librarian pay, offering salaries near the national average. At $58,742 per year, librarians in Pennsylvania earn $2,448 less than the national median of $61,190.

Pennsylvania's cost of living is near the national average at 96%, meaning librarian salaries here translate closely to their face value in purchasing power.

The salary spread in Pennsylvania is significant: librarians at the 10th percentile earn $37,632, while those at the 90th percentile bring home $92,736 — a $55,104 gap that reflects differences in experience, specialization, employer type, and metro area. The highest-paying city in Pennsylvania for this role is Philadelphia, where the median reaches $62,414.

Nationally, librarian employment is projected to grow 3% over the next decade (as fast as average). This steady growth indicates stable demand for librarians across the country.

Librarian Salary in Pennsylvania by Experience

In Pennsylvania, an entry-level librarian earns around $40,320, while experienced professionals earn up to $84,480 per year. The cost of living index in Pennsylvania is 96% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$40,320
$-1,680 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$59,520
$-2,480 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$84,480
$-3,520 vs national

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Salary Percentiles in Pennsylvania

Percentile PA Salary
10th Percentile $37,632
25th Percentile $47,040
Median (50th) $58,742
75th Percentile $74,112
90th Percentile $92,736

Librarian Salary by City in Pennsylvania

The largest employment areas for librarians in Pennsylvania include Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Allentown, and Reading. Salaries vary by city based on local cost of living and demand.

How to Become a Librarian in Pennsylvania

Education

Most librarian positions require a master's degree. Pennsylvania has several accredited institutions offering relevant programs.

Key Skills

Information ScienceResearchCatalogingCommunity ProgrammingDigital LiteracyDatabase Management

Job Outlook in Pennsylvania

Nationally, librarian employment is projected to grow 3% over the next decade (as fast as average). Pennsylvania's demand may vary based on local industry trends.

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Frequently Asked Questions: Librarian Salary in Pennsylvania

How much does a Librarian make in Pennsylvania? ▼
The median librarian salary in Pennsylvania is $58,742 per year, which is 4% below the national median of $61,190. Salaries range from $37,632 (10th percentile) to $92,736 (90th percentile).
How much does a Librarian make per hour in Pennsylvania? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $58,742, a librarian in Pennsylvania earns approximately $28 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
Is Pennsylvania a good state for librarians? ▼
Pennsylvania ranks #23 out of 50 states for librarian pay. The cost of living index is 96% of the national average. Entry-level librarians earn $40,320, while senior professionals earn $84,480.
How does Pennsylvania compare to other states for librarian salary? ▼
The highest paying state for librarians is Hawaii at $104,023. Pennsylvania's median of $58,742 ranks #23 nationally. Nearby-ranked states include Nevada ($59,354) and Utah ($59,354).
What is the entry-level librarian salary in Pennsylvania? ▼
An entry-level librarian in Pennsylvania earns approximately $40,320 per year. With 3-7 years of experience, pay increases to around $59,520. Senior-level professionals with 8+ years earn up to $84,480.
What city in Pennsylvania pays librarians the most? ▼
Philadelphia is the highest paying city in Pennsylvania for librarians, with a median salary of $62,414. Other cities include Pittsburgh and Allentown.