Master's in Library Science Career Pay & Salary
Learn more about common career salaries in different regions with an MLIS degree so you can make the right choice for you
How Much Can You Make with a MLS or MLIS Degree?
A Master’s in Library Science (MLS) degree opens the door to a variety of career paths in library science, archives, records management, and specialized fields such as medical or corporate librarianship. Salaries in these professions vary based on factors such as job title, level of responsibility, location, and type of institution. Understanding the salary expectations in different regions and fields can help MLS graduates make informed decisions about their careers. Below, we break down average salaries for common MLS-related careers and provide regional insights to help guide your path.
What Are Some Examples of MLIS Careers & Their Salaries?
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Job Title
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Description
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Entry-Level Salary
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Experienced Salary
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Provides research assistance, manages academic resources, and supports university students and faculty in accessing research materials.
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$45,000 - $55,000
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$65,000 - $80,000
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Engages with the community, manages public library resources, and supports literacy programs and community learning initiatives.
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$40,000 - $50,000
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$60,000 - $70,000
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Works in K-12 educational settings to assist students and teachers, promoting literacy, research skills, and information literacy.
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$42,000 - $50,000
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$55,000 - $65,000
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Medical Librarian
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Provides healthcare professionals and researchers with access to medical literature, databases, and research materials critical for clinical and research needs.
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$60,000 - $70,000
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$80,000 - $95,000
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Corporate Librarian
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Supports business research, manages proprietary data and industry information, and facilitates knowledge management within corporate environments.
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$60,000 - $75,000
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$85,000 - $100,000
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Preserves historical records, organizes archives, and ensures accessible documentation of collections for historical research.
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$45,000 - $55,000
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$65,000 - $80,000
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Manages digital collections, including multimedia archives, within organizations or media companies, ensuring digital resources are accessible and organized.
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$55,000 - $65,000
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$75,000 - $90,000
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Manages records throughout their lifecycle, ensuring organizational compliance and security for both digital and physical formats.
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$50,000 - $60,000
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$70,000 - $85,000
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Museum Archivist
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Works within museums to preserve artifacts, documents, and historical items, ensuring they remain accessible to the public and researchers.
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$45,000 - $55,000
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$65,000 - $80,000
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Special Collections Librarian
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Oversees unique collections, such as rare books or manuscripts, within libraries and ensures their long-term preservation and accessibility for specialized research.
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$50,000 - $60,000
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$70,000 - $85,000
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What Factors Determine MLIS Salaries?
For professionals with a Library Science degree, here are key factors that influence salaries for those holding an MLS degree based on job data provided by the Bureau of Labor Statistics:
Occupational Field and Role
Salaries vary significantly based on the specific occupational field within library science and information management. According to BLS data, individuals with a library science degree are most commonly employed in educational instruction and library occupations. Roles within education and libraries tend to have consistent salary ranges; however, certain specialized roles, such as those in archives, records management, and digital libraries, can offer higher pay, particularly in corporate or governmental settings.
Level of Responsibility and Management Roles
Salary expectations increase with higher levels of responsibility. The data shows that professionals with library science degrees can move into management occupations, which offer a pathway to higher pay. Management roles, such as library director or head of special collections, generally come with increased salaries compared to entry-level positions. Additionally, taking on responsibilities in business or financial operations, as some MLS graduates do, can also provide a salary boost due to the specialized nature of these roles.
Industry Sector
Different sectors influence salary potential. While many library science graduates work in traditional library settings, others enter fields like office and administrative support, business and financial operations, and computer and mathematical occupations. These sectors often provide competitive salaries, as they involve complex information management tasks and often require advanced digital or analytical skills. For example, a corporate records manager or digital asset manager may have higher salary prospects than a typical public librarian due to the demands and specialized skills associated with these roles.
Educational Attainment and Advanced Degrees
Having an advanced degree significantly impacts salary. The BLS data highlights that 71% of professionals in library science hold an advanced degree, which is often essential for higher-paying roles. Master’s degrees are a minimum requirement for most professional library positions, and additional certifications or training in fields like digital asset management or records compliance can increase salary potential.
Work Environment and Job Function
Library science graduates work across diverse environments, from libraries and educational institutions to museums, healthcare, and corporate sectors. According to the BLS, roles within museum and conservation settings, for example, are projected to grow by 11%, which is higher than average and could lead to better job security and potentially higher pay in those fields. In contrast, roles in K-12 educational settings may offer lower initial salaries but provide stable employment and benefits.
Regional Location
Geographic location is a significant factor in determining salaries. For example, states with high living costs or strong demand for library and information science professionals—such as California, New York, and Massachusetts—tend to offer higher salaries. Additionally, metropolitan areas often provide higher wages compared to rural areas due to higher demand for specialized skills and the increased cost of living.
Employment Type and Part-Time Work
The BLS data indicates that around 28% of library science professionals work part-time, which can affect overall salary averages in this field. Full-time roles generally offer higher annual salaries, while part-time positions, common in educational institutions and community libraries, may have lower annual income but provide flexibility and work-life balance.
Insights for MLIS Salary Growth
Graduating with an MLS or MLIS degree opens up a wealth of career opportunities in libraries, archives, and information management, as well as specialized industries like healthcare, law, media, and corporate organizations. Recent graduates often begin in entry-level positions, gaining foundational experience in traditional or digital information roles. These roles provide the opportunity to build expertise, gain certifications, and advance into specialized or leadership positions with competitive salaries.
MLS graduates can expect significant salary growth as they advance in their careers. Entry-level roles offer foundational experience, but with time, additional certifications, or by moving into specialized fields (such as medical librarianship or corporate information management), professionals can move toward higher pay brackets. For instance, medical librarians or corporate librarians typically see above-average growth potential due to the specialized skills and high-demand environments they work in.
Growth Potential and Long-Term Salary Expectations
For recent MLS/MLIS graduates, entry-level roles are just the beginning of a career trajectory with strong growth potential. Advancing into mid-level or senior roles often requires additional certifications, such as becoming a Certified Records Manager (CRM) or gaining expertise in digital preservation technologies. Leadership roles, such as library directors, heads of special collections, or corporate information managers, often come with six-figure salaries and additional responsibilities.
Additionally, geographic location plays a significant role in salary expectations. Graduates working in metropolitan areas like New York, California, Illinois, Massachusetts and other states often command higher salaries due to increased demand and cost of living, while rural areas may offer fewer opportunities but more affordable living conditions. For those willing to relocate, opportunities in high-paying states like California, Massachusetts, and New York can offer salaries at the top end of the range.
