Creative & Education Arlington, VA Pop. 238,643

Librarian Salary in Arlington, Virginia

The median librarian salary in Arlington, VA is $80,771 per year, which is 32.0% above the national median and 26.9% above the Virginia state average.

City Median
$80,771
vs State Avg
+$17,133
vs National
+$19,581
Cost of Living
132%

Librarian Pay in Arlington: What to Expect (2026)

Arlington offers a median librarian salary of $80,771, which is $17,133 above the Virginia state average of $63,638. Compared to the national median of $61,190, Arlington pays above average for this role.

However, Arlington's cost of living index is 132%, significantly above the national average. After adjusting for local costs, the $80,771 salary has an effective purchasing power of approximately $61,190. Housing, transportation, and food costs in Arlington should be factored into any relocation or job-change decision.

The salary range for librarians in Arlington spans from $51,744 at the 10th percentile to $127,512 at the 90th percentile — a $75,768 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $55,440, while senior librarians with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $116,160. With a population of 238,643, Arlington is a mid-sized metro with a growing job market.

Librarian Salary in Arlington by Experience

In Arlington, an entry-level librarian earns around $55,440, while experienced professionals earn up to $116,160 per year. The local cost of living index is 132% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$55,440
+$13,440 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$81,840
+$19,840 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$116,160
+$28,160 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Arlington, VA

Percentile Arlington
10th Percentile $51,744
25th Percentile $64,680
Median (50th) $80,771
75th Percentile $101,904
90th Percentile $127,512

Librarian Salary in Other Virginia Cities

Virginia Beach, VA
$62,414
Pop. 449,974
Richmond, VA
$61,190
Pop. 226,610
Chesapeake, VA
$59,966
Pop. 249,422
Norfolk, VA
$58,742
Pop. 238,005

How to Become a Librarian in Arlington

Education

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

Find Librarian Jobs in Arlington

Browse open librarian positions in Arlington, VA:

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Frequently Asked Questions: Librarian Salary in Arlington

How much does a Librarian make in Arlington, VA? ▼
The median librarian salary in Arlington, Virginia is $80,771 per year, which is 32.0% above the national median of $61,190. Salaries range from $51,744 (10th percentile) to $127,512 (90th percentile).
How much does a Librarian make per hour in Arlington? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $80,771, a librarian in Arlington earns approximately $39 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Arlington compare to the Virginia state average for librarian pay? ▼
Arlington's median librarian salary of $80,771 is 26.9% above the Virginia state average of $63,638. The local cost of living index is 132% of the national average.
What is the cost of living in Arlington, VA? ▼
Arlington has a cost of living index of 132% compared to the national average. This means a librarian salary of $80,771 in Arlington has less purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a librarian in Arlington? ▼
Most librarian positions in Arlington 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.