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As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a Public Librarian in Illinois is $63,703 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $31.
However, a Public Librarian's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
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Public Librarian Salaries by Percentile
| Annual Salary |
Monthly Pay |
Weekly Pay |
Hourly Wage |
|
| 75th Percentile | $71,636 | $5,970 | $1,378 | $34 |
| Average | $63,703 | $5,309 | $1,225 | $31 |
| 25th Percentile | $58,628 | $4,886 | $1,127 | $28 |
Drummond Woodsum - PORTLAND, ME
University of Cincinnati - MT AUBURN, OH
National Radio Astronomy Observatory - LUIS LOPEZ, NM
Town of Palm Beach - WEST PALM BEACH, FL
A Public Librarian's salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how your years of experience, geographic location and company size can directly affect your earning potential.
Experience is a primary driver of a Public Librarian's salary. As you build your skills and take on more complex tasks, your compensation generally increases. Here’s how the average salary grows at different career stages:
| Levels | Salary |
|---|---|
| Client Se... Level Public Librarian | $77,917 |
| Client Se... Level Public Librarian | $105,370 |
| Public Li... Level Public Librarian | $64,761 |
| Customer ... Level Public Librarian | $77,258 |
| Customer ... Level Public Librarian | $101,929 |
What Am I Worth?
Your salary can change significantly depending on where you work. States with a higher cost of living and strong industrial sectors often pay more to attract Public Librarians. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
Salaries can also vary between different cities. Major metropolitan areas or cities with a high demand for technicians often offer more competitive pay. Here are a few examples of average annual salaries in different U.S. cities:
For Public Librarian roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 50% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Hospitality & Leisure and Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 25% above the average. In contrast, Public Librarian positions in Insurance or Energy & Utilities typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Public Librarian as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.
| Industry Sector | Average Annual Salary | Average Hourly Rate | Pay vs.Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hospitality & Leisure | $79,629 | $38.0 | 25% |
| Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit | $76,444 | $37.0 | 20% |
| Pharmaceuticals | $75,170 | $36.0 | 18% |
| Financial Services | $73,259 | $35.0 | 15% |
| MFG Durable | $71,348 | $34.0 | 12% |
Understanding how a Public Librarian's annual salary breaks down can help with budgeting. Below, you can see the average hourly rate, weekly pay, and monthly pay for this role. Use the buttons to switch between different pay periods.
| Annual Salary | Monthly Pay | Weekly Pay | Hourly Wage | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 75th Percentile | $71,636 | $5,970 | $1,378 | $34 |
| Average | $63,703 | $5,309 | $1,225 | $31 |
| 25th Percentile | $58,628 | $4,886 | $1,127 | $28 |
Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Public Librarian job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.
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