All careers › Library Science Teachers, Postsecondary
Library science teacher: pay, job outlook and how to become one
- $57,200lowest 10% earn less
- $64,08025th percentile
- $80,340median
- $100,91075th percentile
- $129,120top 10% earn more
A library science teacher (BLS title: Library Science Teachers, Postsecondary) had a median pay of $80,340 a year in May 2025[1]. BLS projects employment to grow 2.7% from 2025 to 2035[2].
- Job growth, 2025–35
- +2.7%[2]
- Openings per year
- 300[5]
- Typical entry education
- Doctoral or professional degree[6]
How much do library science teachers make?
The median wage was $80,340 a year[1]. Half of workers earned more and half earned less[1]. The average was $88,110[7]. For all occupations, the median was $50,980[4].
BLS publishes only annual wages for this job, not hourly wages[8].
| Level | Annual wage |
|---|---|
| 10th percentile[3] | $57,200 |
| 25th percentile[3] | $64,080 |
| Median[1] | $80,340 |
| 75th percentile[3] | $100,910 |
| 90th percentile[3] | $129,120 |
The lowest-paid 10% earned less than $57,200[3]. BLS publishes percentile wages, not a starting salary[9]. These figures cover wage and salary workers only. They leave out the self-employed and do not include benefits or nonproduction bonuses[10]. About 3,630 people held these jobs[11].
Pay by state and city
Among the 28 states with published data, California had the highest median at $125,640, followed by Maryland at $123,170 and Washington at $104,540[12]. Mississippi had the lowest listed median at $59,920[12].
Illinois had the most jobs at 390, then California at 310, North Carolina at 250, and New York and Tennessee at 210 each[13].
Among metro areas with at least 100 jobs, New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ had a median of $101,920 and Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN had $78,060[14]. Chicago had the most metro jobs at 220, and New York had 170[15].
Show median pay in 28 states
| State | Median per year | Jobs |
|---|---|---|
| California[12] | $125,640 | 310 |
| Maryland | $123,170 | 90 |
| Washington | $104,540 | 90 |
| Pennsylvania | $86,250 | 30 |
| New Jersey | $85,130 | 120 |
| Iowa | $83,950 | 40 |
| Minnesota | $83,710 | 110 |
| Michigan | $83,370 | 70 |
| Indiana | $83,330 | 80 |
| Virginia | $82,880 | 100 |
| Ohio | $82,610 | 50 |
| Oregon | $81,890 | 90 |
| Massachusetts | $80,850 | 50 |
| Illinois | $80,760 | 390 |
| North Carolina | $79,460 | 250 |
| Tennessee | $76,940 | 210 |
| Texas | $76,940 | 180 |
| Alabama | $76,340 | 130 |
| New York | $76,060 | 210 |
| Florida | $75,500 | 100 |
| Missouri | $74,800 | 60 |
| Georgia | $72,510 | 110 |
| Nebraska | $66,190 | 40 |
| Kansas | $66,100 | 60 |
| Oklahoma | $65,620 | 80 |
| South Carolina | $65,310 | 40 |
| Kentucky | $63,660 | 60 |
| Mississippi | $59,920 | 100 |
How to become a library science teacher
- First: earn a doctoral or professional degree. BLS lists this as the education needed to enter, with no related work experience or on-the-job training required[6].
- Next: know the exceptions. The handbook profile covers postsecondary teachers as a wider group[16]. For that group, a master's degree may be enough at some community colleges or for some part-time jobs[17][18][19].
- Then: build experience. Schools may prefer teaching or other work experience[20]. Some teachers gain it as graduate teaching assistants[21].
- Later: some seek tenure, which may take up to 7 years of moving through the ranks of assistant professor, associate professor and professor[22].
Doctoral programs usually take several years[23]. Most require a dissertation of original research[23].
In an O*NET survey of 20 workers, 65% said a doctoral degree is required, 25% said a master's degree and 8% said post-doctoral training[24].
What library science teachers do
These teachers teach courses in library science. Some mainly teach, and others combine teaching with research[25]. Common tasks include:
- Doing research and sharing findings in journals, books or at conferences[26].
- Grading student work, assignments and papers[26].
- Giving lectures on subjects like how collections are built, archival methods and indexing[26].
- Preparing syllabi, homework and handouts[26].
- Updating courses and teaching methods[26].
- Leading class discussions[26].
- Keeping up with the field through reading, colleagues and professional groups[26].
- Advising students on academic and career questions[26].
Workers report job titles such as library science professor, assistant professor and lecturer[27].
Where they work
The handbook describes postsecondary teachers as a wider group[16]. In that group, colleges, universities and professional schools run by states were the largest employer at 41% in 2025[28]. Most work full time, though part-time work is common[29]. Courses are generally held during the day, with some evening and weekend classes[30]. Schedules are generally flexible, but full-time teachers need to be on campus for classes and office hours[31]. Balancing teaching with research and publishing can be stressful, particularly for new teachers who want to move up[32].
Job outlook
BLS projects employment to grow 2.7% from 2025 to 2035, from about 4,500 to 4,600 jobs[2]. All occupations are projected to grow 3.5%[33]. These counts include self-employed workers[2].
About 300 openings a year are projected on average[5]. Openings count jobs left by workers who retire or switch occupations, not only new jobs[5]. Each year, 3.5% of workers leave the labor force and 3% move to a different occupation[34].
Is it a good fit?
The facts describe a job with pay well above the all-occupations median[1][4]. Getting in typically takes a doctoral or professional degree[6], and doctoral programs usually take several years[23]. Growth is projected slightly below the all-occupations rate[2][33]. Comfort with research and analyzing information matters in this work[26][35].
Frequently asked questions
- How much does a library science teacher make?
- The median was $80,340 a year in May 2025, and the average was $88,110[1][7].
- What degree do you need to be a library science teacher?
- BLS lists a doctoral or professional degree for entry[6]. A master's degree may be enough at some community colleges[17][19].
- Is library science teaching in demand?
- BLS projects 2.7% growth from 2025 to 2035, compared with 3.5% for all occupations, and about 300 openings a year[2][33][5].
- What is the highest paying state for library science teachers?
- California had the highest median at $125,640, followed by Maryland at $123,170[12].
Facts and sources
- BLS OEWS, May 2025: the median wage for Library Science Teachers, Postsecondary in the US was $80,340 per year. Half of workers earned more and half earned less. BLS OEWS, May 2025
- BLS Employment Projections: employment of Library Science Teachers, Postsecondary is projected to grow 2.7% from 2025 to 2035, from about 4,500 to 4,600 jobs (a change of +100). These counts include self-employed workers. BLS Employment Projections
- BLS OEWS, May 2025, annual wage percentiles for Library Science Teachers, Postsecondary: 10th percentile $57,200, 25th percentile $64,080, 75th percentile $100,910, 90th percentile $129,120. The 10th percentile means 10% of workers earned less. BLS OEWS, May 2025
- BLS OEWS, May 2025: the median annual wage for all occupations in the US was $50,980. BLS OEWS, May 2025
- BLS Employment Projections: about 300 openings for Library Science Teachers, Postsecondary are projected each year, on average, from 2025 to 2035. Openings include jobs that open when workers retire or move to other occupations, not only new jobs. BLS Employment Projections
- BLS Employment Projections, typical path into Library Science Teachers, Postsecondary: education needed for entry: Doctoral or professional degree; work experience in a related occupation: None; typical on-the-job training: None. BLS Employment Projections
- BLS OEWS, May 2025: the mean (average) wage for Library Science Teachers, Postsecondary was $88,110 per year. BLS OEWS, May 2025
- BLS publishes only annual wages for Library Science Teachers, Postsecondary, not hourly wages, because many work fewer than 2,080 hours a year but are paid yearly. BLS OEWS, May 2025
- BLS OEWS FAQ: a percentile wage is a boundary. The median (50th percentile) separates the highest-paid 50% from the lowest-paid 50% of workers in the occupation. OEWS publishes percentile wages, not a starting salary. BLS OEWS, May 2025
- BLS OEWS FAQ: OEWS covers part-time and full-time workers paid a wage or salary. It does not cover the self-employed, owners and partners in unincorporated firms, household workers or unpaid family workers. OEWS wages do not include nonproduction bonuses or employer costs of benefits such as health insurance or retirement contributions. BLS OEWS, May 2025
- BLS OEWS, May 2025: about 3,630 people were employed as Library Science Teachers, Postsecondary in the US (wage and salary jobs, not counting self-employed workers). BLS OEWS, May 2025
- Median annual wage for Library Science Teachers, Postsecondary in every state with published data, May 2025 (table on this page). BLS OEWS, May 2025
- BLS OEWS, May 2025, states with the most Library Science Teachers, Postsecondary jobs: Illinois 390; California 310; North Carolina 250; New York 210; Tennessee 210. BLS OEWS, May 2025
- BLS OEWS, May 2025, metro areas with the highest median annual wage for Library Science Teachers, Postsecondary (areas with at least 100 jobs): New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ $101,920; Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN $78,060. BLS OEWS, May 2025
- BLS OEWS, May 2025, metro areas with the most Library Science Teachers, Postsecondary jobs: Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN 220 (median $78,060); New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ 170 (median $101,920); Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV 90 (median $99,720); Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA 80 (median $126,820); Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA 70 (median $109,250); Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA 60 (median $62,450). BLS OEWS, May 2025
- The BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook profile "Postsecondary Teachers" covers Library Science Teachers, Postsecondary together with other related occupations, so its text describes the wider group. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Education. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Education. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Work Experience in a Related Occupation. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Work Experience in a Related Occupation. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Advancement. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Education. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- O*NET 25-1082.00 survey of workers (20 respondents), education level they say is required: Doctoral Degree 65%, Master's Degree 25%, Post-Doctoral Training 8% (levels under 5% not listed). O*NET OnLine
- O*NET description of Library Science Teachers, Postsecondary. O*NET OnLine
- O*NET task list for Library Science Teachers, Postsecondary. O*NET OnLine
- O*NET 25-1082.00 sample job titles reported by workers: Assistant Professor, Associate Professor, Classification Instructor, Information Science Professor, Instructor, Lecturer, Library Instructor, Library Science Professor. O*NET OnLine
- BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, largest employers of postsecondary teachers in 2025: Colleges, universities, and professional schools; state 41%. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment: Work Schedules. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment: Work Schedules. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment: Work Schedules. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- BLS Employment Projections: employment in all occupations is projected to grow 3.5% from 2025 to 2035. BLS Employment Projections
- BLS Employment Projections, 2025-35 annual average for Library Science Teachers, Postsecondary: 3.5% of workers leave the labor force each year and 3% move to a different occupation. BLS Employment Projections
- Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Important Qualities. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- Related occupations (O*NET) with BLS pay, growth and entry education. O*NET OnLine
This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. CareerFacts has modified all or some of this information. USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.