Creative & Education Philadelphia, PA Pop. 1,603,797

Librarian Salary in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

The median librarian salary in Philadelphia, PA is $62,414 per year, which is 2.0% above the national median and 6.3% above the Pennsylvania state average.

City Median
$62,414
vs State Avg
+$3,672
vs National
+$1,224
Cost of Living
102%

Librarian Pay in Philadelphia: What to Expect (2026)

Philadelphia offers a median librarian salary of $62,414, which is $3,672 above the Pennsylvania state average of $58,742. Compared to the national median of $61,190, Philadelphia pays above average for this role.

Philadelphia's cost of living is 102% 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 Philadelphia spans from $39,984 at the 10th percentile to $98,532 at the 90th percentile — a $58,548 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $42,840, while senior librarians with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $89,760. As a major metro area with a population of 1,603,797, Philadelphia typically offers more job opportunities and employer competition, which can drive salaries higher.

Librarian Salary in Philadelphia by Experience

In Philadelphia, an entry-level librarian earns around $42,840, while experienced professionals earn up to $89,760 per year. The local cost of living index is 102% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$42,840
+$840 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$63,240
+$1,240 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$89,760
+$1,760 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Philadelphia, PA

Percentile Philadelphia
10th Percentile $39,984
25th Percentile $49,980
Median (50th) $62,414
75th Percentile $78,744
90th Percentile $98,532

Librarian Salary in Other Pennsylvania Cities

Allentown, PA
$57,519
Pop. 126,092
Pittsburgh, PA
$56,907
Pop. 302,971
Reading, PA
$53,847
Pop. 95,112
Erie, PA
$51,400
Pop. 94,831

How to Become a Librarian in Philadelphia

Education

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

Find Librarian Jobs in Philadelphia

Browse open librarian positions in Philadelphia, PA:

Indeed → LinkedIn → ZipRecruiter → Glassdoor →

Frequently Asked Questions: Librarian Salary in Philadelphia

How much does a Librarian make in Philadelphia, PA? ▼
The median librarian salary in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania is $62,414 per year, which is 2.0% above the national median of $61,190. Salaries range from $39,984 (10th percentile) to $98,532 (90th percentile).
How much does a Librarian make per hour in Philadelphia? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $62,414, a librarian in Philadelphia earns approximately $30 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Philadelphia compare to the Pennsylvania state average for librarian pay? ▼
Philadelphia's median librarian salary of $62,414 is 6.3% above the Pennsylvania state average of $58,742. The local cost of living index is 102% of the national average.
What is the cost of living in Philadelphia, PA? ▼
Philadelphia has a cost of living index of 102% compared to the national average. This means a librarian salary of $62,414 in Philadelphia has less purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a librarian in Philadelphia? ▼
Most librarian positions in Philadelphia 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.