As of January 01, 2026, the average annual salary for Reference Librarian in Illinois is $73,017, equivalent to $35 per hour, $1,404 weekly, or $6,085 monthly. These figures, sourced from Salary.com’s real-time job posting scans, highlight competitive earning potential for Reference Librarian in cities like Santa Clara, San Jose, and Fremont.
Annually Salaries for Reference Librarian in Illinois vary widely, spanning from $56,858 to $87,492. Most professionals fall between the 25th percentile ($64,559) and 75th percentile ($80,594), while top earners (90th percentile) make $87,492 per year. This $16,035 pay gap underscores opportunities for salary growth through certifications, specialized skills like Customer Service or Information Sciences, or targeting high-paying regions like District of Columbia or California.
Location and experience significantly influence earnings. For example, Illinois Reference Librarian often earn 1.9% higher than national averages due to demand from Fortune 78 companies. However, Illinois currently ranks 14 nationwide for Reference Librarian job salary. Professionals are advised to focus on high-growth sectors like to offset market challenges.
