Creative & Education Reading, PA Pop. 95,112

Librarian Salary in Reading, Pennsylvania

The median librarian salary in Reading, PA is $53,847 per year, which is 12% below the national median and 8.3% below the Pennsylvania state average.

City Median
$53,847
vs State Avg
$-4,895
vs National
$-7,343
Cost of Living
88%

Librarian Pay in Reading: What to Expect (2026)

Reading offers a median librarian salary of $53,847, which is $4,895 below the Pennsylvania state average of $58,742. Compared to the national median of $61,190, Reading pays below the national benchmark for this role.

One of Reading's biggest advantages is its low cost of living at 88% of the national average. This means the $53,847 salary stretches further here — equivalent to roughly $61,190 in an average-cost city. This makes Reading an attractive option for librarians seeking strong real-dollar compensation.

The salary range for librarians in Reading spans from $34,496 at the 10th percentile to $85,008 at the 90th percentile — a $50,512 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $36,960, while senior librarians with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $77,440. Reading is a smaller market (pop. 95,112), which may mean fewer openings but also less competition for available positions.

Librarian Salary in Reading by Experience

In Reading, an entry-level librarian earns around $36,960, while experienced professionals earn up to $77,440 per year. The local cost of living index is 88% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$36,960
$-5,040 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$54,560
$-7,440 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$77,440
$-10,560 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Reading, PA

Percentile Reading
10th Percentile $34,496
25th Percentile $43,120
Median (50th) $53,847
75th Percentile $67,936
90th Percentile $85,008

Librarian Salary in Other Pennsylvania Cities

Philadelphia, PA
$62,414
Pop. 1,603,797
Allentown, PA
$57,519
Pop. 126,092
Pittsburgh, PA
$56,907
Pop. 302,971
Erie, PA
$51,400
Pop. 94,831

How to Become a Librarian in Reading

Education

Most librarian positions require a master's degree. Reading 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 Reading may vary based on local industry and population growth.

Find Librarian Jobs in Reading

Browse open librarian positions in Reading, PA:

Indeed → LinkedIn → ZipRecruiter → Glassdoor →

Frequently Asked Questions: Librarian Salary in Reading

How much does a Librarian make in Reading, PA? ▼
The median librarian salary in Reading, Pennsylvania is $53,847 per year, which is 12% below the national median of $61,190. Salaries range from $34,496 (10th percentile) to $85,008 (90th percentile).
How much does a Librarian make per hour in Reading? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $53,847, a librarian in Reading earns approximately $26 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Reading compare to the Pennsylvania state average for librarian pay? ▼
Reading's median librarian salary of $53,847 is 8.3% below the Pennsylvania state average of $58,742. The local cost of living index is 88% of the national average.
What is the cost of living in Reading, PA? ▼
Reading has a cost of living index of 88% compared to the national average. This means a librarian salary of $53,847 in Reading has more purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a librarian in Reading? ▼
Most librarian positions in Reading 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.