Creative & Education Bellevue, WA Pop. 151,854

Librarian Salary in Bellevue, Washington

The median librarian salary in Bellevue, WA is $93,009 per year, which is 52.0% above the national median and 32.2% above the Washington state average.

City Median
$93,009
vs State Avg
+$22,640
vs National
+$31,819
Cost of Living
152%

Librarian Pay in Bellevue: What to Expect (2026)

Bellevue offers a median librarian salary of $93,009, which is $22,640 above the Washington state average of $70,369. Compared to the national median of $61,190, Bellevue pays above average for this role.

However, Bellevue's cost of living index is 152%, significantly above the national average. After adjusting for local costs, the $93,009 salary has an effective purchasing power of approximately $61,190. Housing, transportation, and food costs in Bellevue should be factored into any relocation or job-change decision.

The salary range for librarians in Bellevue spans from $59,584 at the 10th percentile to $146,832 at the 90th percentile — a $87,248 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $63,840, while senior librarians with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $133,760. With a population of 151,854, Bellevue is a mid-sized metro with a growing job market.

Librarian Salary in Bellevue by Experience

In Bellevue, an entry-level librarian earns around $63,840, while experienced professionals earn up to $133,760 per year. The local cost of living index is 152% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$63,840
+$21,840 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$94,240
+$32,240 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$133,760
+$45,760 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Bellevue, WA

Percentile Bellevue
10th Percentile $59,584
25th Percentile $74,480
Median (50th) $93,009
75th Percentile $117,344
90th Percentile $146,832

Librarian Salary in Other Washington Cities

Seattle, WA
$90,561
Pop. 737,015
Tacoma, WA
$67,309
Pop. 219,346
Vancouver, WA
$62,414
Pop. 190,915
Spokane, WA
$56,295
Pop. 228,989

How to Become a Librarian in Bellevue

Education

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

Find Librarian Jobs in Bellevue

Browse open librarian positions in Bellevue, WA:

Indeed → LinkedIn → ZipRecruiter → Glassdoor →

Frequently Asked Questions: Librarian Salary in Bellevue

How much does a Librarian make in Bellevue, WA? ▼
The median librarian salary in Bellevue, Washington is $93,009 per year, which is 52.0% above the national median of $61,190. Salaries range from $59,584 (10th percentile) to $146,832 (90th percentile).
How much does a Librarian make per hour in Bellevue? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $93,009, a librarian in Bellevue earns approximately $45 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Bellevue compare to the Washington state average for librarian pay? ▼
Bellevue's median librarian salary of $93,009 is 32.2% above the Washington state average of $70,369. The local cost of living index is 152% of the national average.
What is the cost of living in Bellevue, WA? ▼
Bellevue has a cost of living index of 152% compared to the national average. This means a librarian salary of $93,009 in Bellevue has less purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a librarian in Bellevue? ▼
Most librarian positions in Bellevue 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.