Creative & Education Aberdeen, SD Pop. 28,324

Librarian Salary in Aberdeen, South Dakota

The median librarian salary in Aberdeen, SD is $51,400 per year, which is 16% below the national median and 4.5% below the South Dakota state average.

City Median
$51,400
vs State Avg
$-2,447
vs National
$-9,790
Cost of Living
84%

Librarian Pay in Aberdeen: What to Expect (2026)

Aberdeen offers a median librarian salary of $51,400, which is $2,447 below the South Dakota state average of $53,847. Compared to the national median of $61,190, Aberdeen pays below the national benchmark for this role.

One of Aberdeen's biggest advantages is its low cost of living at 84% of the national average. This means the $51,400 salary stretches further here — equivalent to roughly $61,190 in an average-cost city. This makes Aberdeen an attractive option for librarians seeking strong real-dollar compensation.

The salary range for librarians in Aberdeen spans from $32,928 at the 10th percentile to $81,144 at the 90th percentile — a $48,216 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $35,280, while senior librarians with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $73,920. Aberdeen is a smaller market (pop. 28,324), which may mean fewer openings but also less competition for available positions.

Librarian Salary in Aberdeen by Experience

In Aberdeen, an entry-level librarian earns around $35,280, while experienced professionals earn up to $73,920 per year. The local cost of living index is 84% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$35,280
$-6,720 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$52,080
$-9,920 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$73,920
$-14,080 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Aberdeen, SD

Percentile Aberdeen
10th Percentile $32,928
25th Percentile $41,160
Median (50th) $51,400
75th Percentile $64,848
90th Percentile $81,144

Librarian Salary in Other South Dakota Cities

Sioux Falls, SD
$56,295
Pop. 192,517
Rapid City, SD
$55,071
Pop. 74,703
Brookings, SD
$52,623
Pop. 24,194
Mitchell, SD
$50,176
Pop. 15,660

How to Become a Librarian in Aberdeen

Education

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

Find Librarian Jobs in Aberdeen

Browse open librarian positions in Aberdeen, SD:

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Frequently Asked Questions: Librarian Salary in Aberdeen

How much does a Librarian make in Aberdeen, SD? ▼
The median librarian salary in Aberdeen, South Dakota is $51,400 per year, which is 16% below the national median of $61,190. Salaries range from $32,928 (10th percentile) to $81,144 (90th percentile).
How much does a Librarian make per hour in Aberdeen? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $51,400, a librarian in Aberdeen earns approximately $25 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Aberdeen compare to the South Dakota state average for librarian pay? ▼
Aberdeen's median librarian salary of $51,400 is 4.5% below the South Dakota state average of $53,847. The local cost of living index is 84% of the national average.
What is the cost of living in Aberdeen, SD? ▼
Aberdeen has a cost of living index of 84% compared to the national average. This means a librarian salary of $51,400 in Aberdeen has more purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a librarian in Aberdeen? ▼
Most librarian positions in Aberdeen 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.