Creative & Education Brookings, SD Pop. 24,194

Librarian Salary in Brookings, South Dakota

The median librarian salary in Brookings, SD is $52,623 per year, which is 14% below the national median and 2.3% below the South Dakota state average.

City Median
$52,623
vs State Avg
$-1,224
vs National
$-8,567
Cost of Living
86%

Librarian Pay in Brookings: What to Expect (2026)

Brookings offers a median librarian salary of $52,623, which is $1,224 below the South Dakota state average of $53,847. Compared to the national median of $61,190, Brookings pays below the national benchmark for this role.

One of Brookings's biggest advantages is its low cost of living at 86% of the national average. This means the $52,623 salary stretches further here — equivalent to roughly $61,190 in an average-cost city. This makes Brookings an attractive option for librarians seeking strong real-dollar compensation.

The salary range for librarians in Brookings spans from $33,712 at the 10th percentile to $83,076 at the 90th percentile — a $49,364 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $36,120, while senior librarians with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $75,680. Brookings is a smaller market (pop. 24,194), which may mean fewer openings but also less competition for available positions.

Librarian Salary in Brookings by Experience

In Brookings, an entry-level librarian earns around $36,120, while experienced professionals earn up to $75,680 per year. The local cost of living index is 86% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$36,120
$-5,880 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$53,320
$-8,680 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$75,680
$-12,320 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Brookings, SD

Percentile Brookings
10th Percentile $33,712
25th Percentile $42,140
Median (50th) $52,623
75th Percentile $66,392
90th Percentile $83,076

Librarian Salary in Other South Dakota Cities

Sioux Falls, SD
$56,295
Pop. 192,517
Rapid City, SD
$55,071
Pop. 74,703
Aberdeen, SD
$51,400
Pop. 28,324
Mitchell, SD
$50,176
Pop. 15,660

How to Become a Librarian in Brookings

Education

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

Find Librarian Jobs in Brookings

Browse open librarian positions in Brookings, SD:

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Frequently Asked Questions: Librarian Salary in Brookings

How much does a Librarian make in Brookings, SD? ▼
The median librarian salary in Brookings, South Dakota is $52,623 per year, which is 14% below the national median of $61,190. Salaries range from $33,712 (10th percentile) to $83,076 (90th percentile).
How much does a Librarian make per hour in Brookings? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $52,623, a librarian in Brookings earns approximately $25 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Brookings compare to the South Dakota state average for librarian pay? ▼
Brookings's median librarian salary of $52,623 is 2.3% below the South Dakota state average of $53,847. The local cost of living index is 86% of the national average.
What is the cost of living in Brookings, SD? ▼
Brookings has a cost of living index of 86% compared to the national average. This means a librarian salary of $52,623 in Brookings has more purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a librarian in Brookings? ▼
Most librarian positions in Brookings 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.