How much does a library professor make?
a year · about $39 an hour
A typical library professor in the United States makes $80,340 a year, about $39 an hour, about 1.6× a typical US worker (median, May 2025, US Bureau of Labor Statistics).
What do they do?
They prepare lessons, then teach topics such as organizing collections, archives, or indexes. They hold office hours, guide student research or internships, and may develop online classes.
Did you know? Some library professors teach students how to organize archives and make indexes—not just how to find books.
Is that a lot?
Compared with jobs you knowIf 100 people had this job
Most earn between $57,200 and $129,120How do you become one?
In the U.S., earn a bachelor’s, then pursue graduate study in library and information science; a master’s may qualify for some jobs, while four-year universities often expect a Ph.D. Gain teaching experience, perhaps as a graduate assistant.
School needed: Graduate degree or long training
Good for people who like helping and teaching and figuring things out
Why does pay differ?
In the U.S., pay can differ with experience and education, the state or city, and whether someone works at a university or community college. Full-time or part-time work can also change total earnings.
Where does it pay most?
Highest in California ($125,640), lowest in Mississippi ($59,920).
See every state
Top 5 and bottom 3 states, typical (median) yearly pay.
Jobs like this
Data table and sources
| Lower earner (10th from bottom) | Typical person (median) | Higher earner (10th from top) | People in this job |
|---|---|---|---|
| $57,200 | $80,340 | $129,120 | about 4,000 |
| State | Typical person (median) | People in this job |
|---|---|---|
| California | $125,640 | about 310 |
| Maryland | $123,170 | about 90 |
| Washington | $104,540 | about 90 |
| Pennsylvania | $86,250 | about 30 |
| New Jersey | $85,130 | about 120 |
Official definition: Teach courses in library science. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.
Source: US Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS May 2025 (bls.gov); descriptions and related jobs from O*NET 31.0. Figures as of May 2025, full-time yearly pay (hourly × 2,080 hours). bls.gov/oes · O*NET OnLine
Pages used for the text
- www.onetonline.org/link/summary/25-1082.00
- www.bls.gov/ooh/education-training-and-library/postsecondary-teachers.htm
- www.bls.gov/careeroutlook/2015/article/print/wage-differences.htm
- www.ala.org/educationcareers/accreditedprograms
Data: US BLS OEWS, May 2025 · 1 USD = 150 JPY