Minimum Salaries

On January 22, 2007, the ALA-Allied Professional Association: the Organization for the Advancement of Library Employees (ALA-APA) Council adopted a resolution to endorse a minimum salary for professional librarians of not less than $40,000 per year.

At present, the library associations of Connecticut, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Louisiana, Maine, Massachusetts, New Jersey, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island,Texas, Vermont and Wisconsin have also recommended minimum salaries. Connecticut, Illinois, Massachusetts, New Jersey and Rhode Island meet or surpass ALA's recommended $40,000 minimum salary.

Of these 14 state associations, five (Illinois, Indiana, Maine, Massachusetts and Pennsylvania) have adopted a formula based on variables such as comparable salaries for public school teachers in each community, or the grade level of a professional librarian post. Job seekers should contact the appropriate state association for minimum salary information.

Connecticut Minimum Salary Guidelines

At its November meeting the Connecticut Library Association Executive Board voted to adopt updated minimum salary guidelines for entry-level librarians holding the MLS degree. These rates become effective as of July 1, 2007. The new recommended compensation rates, up 3% over current guidelines, are:

• $24.55 per hour for part-time positions
• $44,681/year for a 35-hour week
• $47,873/year for a 37.5-hour week
• $51,064/year for a 40-hour week

For more information, see the Connecticut Library Association.

Illinois Minimum Salary Guidelines

$47,235.60/year – New full-time professional librarian

Rather than establish one statewide salary minimum, the Illinois Library Association has adopted a formula (see note at top of page). Before applying for a library position, job seekers should contact the state association for minimum salary information. For more information, visit the Illinois Library Association.

Indiana Minimum Salary Guidelines

Varies.

Rather than establish one statewide salary minimum, the Indiana Library Federation has adopted a formula (see note at top of page). Before applying for a library position, job seekers should contact the state association for minimum salary information. For more information, visit the Indiana Library Federation.

Iowa Minimum Salary Guidelines

$23,911/year – New full-time professional librarian

For more information, visit the Iowa Library Association.

Louisiana Minimum Salary Guidelines

$26,000/year – New full-time professional librarian

For more information, visit the Louisiana Library Association.

Maine Minimum Salary Guidelines

The Maine Library Association salary guidelines cover eight job levels or distinct classifications and are based upon a “Livable Wage” computation issued by the Maine Center for Economic Policy.

Rather than establish one statewide salary minimum, the Maine Library Association has adopted a formula (see note at top of page). Before applying for a library position, job seekers should contact the state association for minimum salary information. For more information, see the Maine Library Association.

Massachusetts Minimum Salary Guidelines

$45,107/year – New full-time professional librarian

Rather than establish one statewide salary minimum, the Massachusetts Library Association has adopted a formula (see note at top of page). Before applying for a library position, job seekers should contact the state association for minimum salary information. For more information, visit the Massachusetts Library Association.

New Jersey Minimum Salary Guidelines

$47,390/year – New full-time professional librarian

The New Jersey Library Association maintains a most comprehensive schedule of minimum salary references, with divisions according to the size of the library (for librarian salaries) and for individual non-librarian job titles; there are 19 levels for librarians and 10 for such positions as Library Assistant, Clerk Driver, and Page. For more information, visit the New Jersey Library Association.

North Carolina Minimum Salary Guidelines

$32,432/year – New full-time professional librarian

For more information, visit the North Carolina Library Association.

Pennsylvania Minimum Salary Guidelines

• $19,100/year -- Full-time (35 hours or more/wk) support staff member
• $33,748/year – New full-time professional librarian
• $51,709/year – Full-time librarian who supervises at least three professional librarians

Rather than establish one statewide salary minimum, the Pennsylvania Library Association has adopted a formula (see note at top of page). Before applying for a library position, job seekers should contact the state association for minimum salary information. For more information, visit the Pennsylvania Library Association.

Rhode Island Minimum Salary Guidelines

$41,000/year – New full-time professional librarian

For more information, visit the Rhode Island Library Association.

Texas Minimum Salary Guidelines

$37,000/year – New full-time professional librarian

For more information, visit the Texas Library Association.

Vermont Minimum Salary Guidelines

• $33,025/year – Full-time professional librarian
• $17.31/hour – Part-time professional librarian
• $32,025/year – New full-time professional librarian

For more information, see the Vermont Library Association.

Wisconsin Minimum Salary Guidelines

• $34,200/year -- Full time professional librarian
• $32,700/year – New full-time professional librarian

For more information, see the Wisconsin Library Association.