Master's in Library Science Careers - What Careers Can I Get with an MLIS Degree?

Discover common career pathways available to Master’s in Library Science graduates in librarianship and applied information roles

Master’s in Library Science (MLS) vs. Master’s of Library & Information Science (MLIS)

A Master’s in Library & Information Science (MLIS) degree opens doors to a diverse array of career paths across various industries. Graduates are well-equipped for traditional library roles, as well as specialized positions in archives, digital information management, corporate information governance, healthcare, and more. Whether you’re drawn to academia, corporate settings, or public service, an MLIS degree offers versatile and fulfilling career opportunities.

Graduates with an MLIS degree are prepared for roles that center on information management, organization, and access. Some common job titles for MLIS graduates include:

Academic Librarian – Assists students and faculty in research and organizes academic resources.
Archivist – Manages and preserves historical documents and records.
Corporate Librarian – Supports business research needs, managing proprietary information.
Medical Librarian – Helps healthcare professionals access vital medical information.
School Librarian – Works in K-12 education, supporting literacy and information skills for students.
Digital Curator – Manages digital assets and archives for various organizations.
Special Collections Librarian – Handles rare books, manuscripts, and unique collections.

These roles allow MLIS graduates to apply their expertise in information science across a range of professional environments.

What Industries Can I Enter With an MLIS Degree?

An MLIS degree provides the flexibility to enter multiple industries, as information management is critical in many fields. From education and healthcare to media, corporate sectors, and beyond, MLIS graduates find fulfilling careers where their skills in organization, research, and data management are highly valued. Below is an overview of key sectors, along with specific job titles within each area.

Education Careers with an MLS or MLIS Degree
Education is one of the most common fields for MLS graduates, as schools and universities require skilled professionals to manage educational resources, assist students, and support faculty research. The demand for librarians in educational institutions remains steady, as they play a crucial role in supporting academic growth and research productivity. Special collections and academic librarians are particularly valued in higher education, where they support the research needs of faculty and students.

Job Title	Description	Employers	Salary
Academic Librarian	Provides research assistance, manages databases, curates collections, and supports student and faculty research in academic settings.	Universities, colleges, research institutions	$50,000 - $70,000
School Librarian	Supports K-12 students and teachers with literacy, research skills, and access to educational resources. Often collaborates with teachers on lesson plans.	Public and private K-12 schools	$45,000 - $60,000
Special Collections Librarian	Manages rare and unique collections, such as manuscripts and archival materials, ensuring preservation and accessibility for specialized research.	University libraries, special collections	$55,000 - $75,000

Healthcare Careers with an MLS or MLIS Degree
The healthcare sector offers MLS graduates unique opportunities to work with medical information, supporting healthcare professionals in accessing reliable and current medical data. With the rapid growth of medical knowledge and digital resources, MLS graduates are essential in ensuring data accuracy, compliance, and access to life-saving information.

Medical and clinical librarians play a vital role in patient care by providing healthcare teams with the latest research and data. The healthcare sector values MLS graduates for their ability to manage complex data and provide critical support in a high-stakes environment.

Job Title	Description	Employers	Salary
Medical Librarian	Provides medical professionals and researchers with access to medical literature, research databases, and digital resources.	Hospitals, medical schools, pharmaceutical companies	$60,000 - $80,000
Clinical Librarian	Works directly with healthcare teams, supporting clinical research by sourcing studies and medical data.	Academic hospitals, research institutions	$55,000 - $75,000
Health Information Specialist	Manages health data systems to ensure patient data accessibility, accuracy, and compliance with healthcare standards.	Healthcare providers, insurance companies	$50,000 - $70,000

Government Careers with an MLS or MLIS Degree
The government sector is a prominent area for MLS graduates, offering roles in managing public records, supporting policy research, and ensuring compliance with data governance standards. Government librarians contribute to public access to information and data integrity, playing a key role in transparency and organizational efficiency.

Government agencies prioritize data security and public accessibility, and MLS graduates are instrumental in managing information systems and regulatory compliance. Records managers and policy analysts are especially in demand as government organizations increase their focus on transparency and privacy.

Job Title	Description	Employers	Salary
Government Librarian	Manages public records, government documents, and supports public research needs.	Federal and state libraries, local government offices	$55,000 - $75,000
Records Manager	Ensures regulatory compliance, organizes records, and manages government data security.	Federal, state, and local government agencies	$50,000 - $80,000
Information Policy Analyst	Works with data governance, focusing on privacy, regulations, and policy implications for public data.	Government agencies, public policy organizations	$60,000 - $85,000

Media & Publishing Careers with an MLS or MLIS Degree
The media and publishing industry is an exciting area for MLS graduates, especially those with a background in digital asset management, archives, and content curation. Media and publishing companies rely on MLS professionals to organize and maintain multimedia resources, provide research support, and curate digital and print content.

The shift toward digital media has increased the need for MLS professionals who can manage vast multimedia collections and support editorial teams. Digital asset managers and research librarians are essential in ensuring that media organizations have organized, accessible, and accurate resources.

Job Title	Description	Employers	Salary
Digital Asset Manager	Manages digital resources, including multimedia archives, for media companies.	Publishing houses, media companies, digital platforms	$55,000 - $75,000
Research Librarian	Supports editorial teams by conducting research, fact-checking, and sourcing information.	News organizations, media outlets, publishers	$50,000 - $70,000
Content Curator	Organizes and curates content for digital platforms, ensuring relevance and accessibility.	Publishing companies, digital media platforms	$50,000 - $65,000

Museum Careers with an MLS or MLIS Degree
Museums provide MLS graduates with opportunities to work with historical and cultural materials, supporting curatorial and educational roles. Museum librarians and archivists are essential in preserving artifacts, curating collections, and managing digital resources that allow public access to museum collections.

Museums and heritage sites value MLS professionals for their knowledge of preservation and collection management. The digitization of collections has created additional roles for digital curators, allowing museums to expand access to global audiences.

Job Title	Description	Employers	Salary
Museum Archivist	Manages archival collections, including artifacts, documents, and historical records.	Museums, historical societies, art institutions	$50,000 - $70,000
Digital Curator	Manages digital exhibits, archives, and online collections, making museum resources accessible to a global audience.	Art museums, science museums, cultural centers	$55,000 - $75,000
Collections Manager	Oversees the organization and preservation of physical collections in collaboration with curatorial teams.	Museums, heritage sites, art galleries	$55,000 - $80,000

Archive Department Careers with an MLIS Degree
Archive departments focus on preserving and providing access to historical and current records. Archivists and digital preservation specialists work with both physical and digital collections, ensuring that important records remain accessible for research, legal, and historical purposes.

Archive departments rely on MLS graduates to maintain data accessibility and preservation. With the growing emphasis on digital archives, digital preservation specialists are particularly valuable for organizations transitioning from physical to digital recordkeeping.

Job Title	Description	Employers	Salary
Archivist	Organizes and preserves historical records, documents, and collections for research access.	State archives, universities, historical societies	$50,000 - $70,000
Digital Preservation Specialist	Manages the long-term preservation of digital records, ensuring data integrity and accessibility.	Universities, digital archives, government agencies	$55,000 - $75,000
Records Manager	Oversees recordkeeping practices to ensure compliance and preservation within archival settings.	Corporate archives, government agencies, museums	$50,000 - $75,000

Corporate Careers with an MLIS Degree
The corporate sector values MLS graduates for their skills in managing data, maintaining compliance, and supporting business intelligence. Corporate librarians, records compliance specialists, and knowledge managers are essential in making data accessible for decision-making and ensuring regulatory adherence.

Corporate roles in records management and compliance are growing, particularly as businesses prioritize data privacy and internal knowledge-sharing. Knowledge managers and compliance specialists ensure that data governance policies are maintained, supporting organizational success.

Job Title	Description	Employers	Salary
Corporate Librarian	Supports business research, managing proprietary data and resources for company employees.	Large corporations, consulting firms, law firms	$60,000 - $80,000
Records Compliance Specialist	Manages corporate records, ensuring they adhere to regulatory and compliance standards.	Financial institutions, healthcare companies	$55,000 - $75,000
Knowledge Manager	Organizes internal knowledge and data resources, enhancing employee access and usability.	Tech companies, multinational corporations	$65,000 - $90,000

Finding the Right Online MLIS Degree for Your Career Goals

When choosing an online MLIS program, it’s essential to consider factors like tuition costs, program duration, and the specific courses offered to align with your career goals. Tuition for MLIS programs varies widely, generally ranging from $12,000 to $40,000 depending on the institution. Full-time programs usually take 1-2 years, while part-time options offer greater flexibility.

As you research programs, look for specializations that align with your desired career path, as well as opportunities for practical experience through internships or practicums. Networking opportunities, partnerships with potential employers, and career services can also be beneficial. With the right MLIS degree, you’ll be well-prepared for a rewarding career in fields that value your expertise in information management, digital literacy, and research support.

Compare MLS Degrees and MLIS degrees to figure out which program is right for you.