This is a 2.77% drop compared to 2019, when there were over 144,607 in US public libraries.
2020 was the first year since 2012 with a decline in the number of library employees.
The average US public library employs just over 8 full-time employees as of 2020, the lowest since 2016.
Year
Number of libraries
Number of employees
Change
2020
17,454.00
140,604
-2.77%
2019
17,468.00
144,607
0.77%
2018
17,450.00
143,507
0.83%
2017
17,397.00
142,330
1.46%
2016
17,405.00
140,288
0.64%
2015
17,368.00
139,391
0.63%
2014
17,381.00
138,518
0.89%
2013
17,351.00
137,301
0.23%
2012
17,370.00
136,982
-0.28%
2011
17,400.00
137,364
-1.62%
2010
17,453.00
139,632
-3.21%
2009
17,469.00
144,261
-0.68%
2008
17,468.00
145,243
0.41%
2007
17,412.00
144,655
3.00%
2006
17,411.00
140,442
1.88%
2005
17,368.00
137,855
1.35%
2004
17,393.00
136,014
-0.12%
2003
17,405.00
136,172
-0.03%
2002
17,359.00
136,219
2.07%
2001
17,300.00
133,456
2.58%
2000
17,182.00
130,102
1.73%
1999
17,127.00
127,890
3.60%
1998
17,113.00
123,443
2.23%
1997
17,037.00
120,750
2.49%
1996
17,013.00
117,812
1.59%
1995
16,972.00
115,968
2.31%
1994
16,910.00
113,350
0.85%
1993
16,939.00
112,397
1.88%
1992
16,974.00
110,319
50,522 out of 140,604 public library employees in 2020 were librarians, accounting for 35.93% of total staff.
Librarians accounted for the biggest share of public library staff in 2020 than in any other year since 1992.
33,748 librarians have masters in library science, a drop from 34,197 in 2019.
In addition to librarians, over 90,081 other people were employed full-time in US public libraries in 2020, a drop from 93,412 in 2019.
The average US librarian handles around 3,377 borrowers during the year, as of 2020.
This number is the lowest since 2006, when this statistic was introduced.
Also, the average librarian working at a public library in the US handles around 14,496 visits per year or about 39.7 visits per day as of 2020.
This is a -40.82% drop compared to 2019 as the pandemic-caused lockdowns significantly reduced visits to public libraries.
In 2010, the average librarian handled around 33,500 visits or 91.7 per day.
How much do public library employees earn?
In 2020, US public libraries spent over $8.97 billion on employees’ salaries, including net wages and benefits.
Gross expenses for employees’ salaries increased by only $50 million compared to 2019, while the annual change before 2020 was around $200 million.
Since 2010, yearly gross expenses for salaries have increased by 24.25%, since 2000 the increase has been 98.98%, and since 1992 gross salaries have grown by 204.93%.
Over $6.49 billion was spent on net salaries for US public libraries employees in 2020, around $30 million more compared to 2019.
Net salaries account for around 72.3% of the gross wages in US libraries, while 27.7% goes on employee benefits.
Net salaries in public libraries have increased by 19.32% since 2010, by 76.23% since 2000, and by 169.72% since 1992.
Year
Total net expenditure on salaries ($ billion)
Total gross expenditure on salaries ($ billion)
2020
$6.49
$8.97
2019
$6.46
$8.92
2018
$6.27
$8.64
2017
$6.04
$8.27
2016
$5.89
$8.07
2015
$5.70
$7.78
2014
$5.57
$7.60
2013
$5.44
$7.37
2012
$5.37
$7.27
2011
$5.37
$7.21
2010
$5.44
$7.22
2009
$5.54
$7.29
2008
$5.37
$7.05
2007
$5.10
$6.69
2006
$4.84
$6.30
2005
$4.64
$5.98
2004
$4.48
$5.69
2003
$4.34
$5.46
2002
$4.19
$5.19
2001
$3.94
$4.85
2000
$3.68
$4.51
1999
$3.46
$4.24
1998
$3.24
$3.98
1997
$3.06
$3.77
1996
$2.91
$3.58
1995
$2.76
$3.39
1994
$2.60
$3.23
1993
$2.50
$3.08
1992
$2.40
$2.94
vs. 2010
19.32%
24.25%
vs. 2000
76.23%
98.98%
vs. 1992
169.72%
204.93%
The average public library employee earns around $63,824 annually, including salary and benefits.
Gross salary has grown by 23.40% since 2010, 84.12% since 2000, and 139.25% since 1992.
Library employees have a net salary of $46,125 annually, while benefits are $17,699.
Employees’ net salary has grown by 18.49% since 2010, 63.07% since 2000, and 111.63% since 1992.
On the other hand, employee benefits have risen at a much faster rate – 38.31% since 2010, 177.49% since 2000, and 262.58% since 1992.
Year
Average gross salary
Average employee salary
Average employee benefits
2020
$63,824
$46,125
$17,699
2019
$61,660
$44,679
$16,981
2018
$60,172
$43,687
$16,486
2017
$58,106
$42,417
$15,690
2016
$57,513
$41,977
$15,536
2015
$55,779
$40,875
$14,903
2014
$54,852
$40,222
$14,629
2013
$53,696
$39,607
$14,089
2012
$53,037
$39,228
$13,809
2011
$52,470
$39,065
$13,405
2010
$51,724
$38,926
$12,797
2009
$50,525
$38,433
$12,092
2008
$48,509
$36,992
$11,517
2007
$46,241
$35,270
$10,971
2006
$44,891
$34,483
$10,407
2005
$43,369
$33,644
$9,725
2004
$41,809
$32,952
$8,857
2003
$40,110
$31,904
$8,206
2002
$38,092
$30,735
$7,357
2001
$36,321
$29,487
$6,834
2000
$34,665
$28,286
$6,378
1999
$33,170
$27,020
$6,150
1998
$32,214
$26,287
$5,927
1997
$31,190
$25,370
$5,820
1996
$30,375
$24,701
$5,675
1995
$29,246
$23,791
$5,455
1994
$28,487
$22,976
$5,511
1993
$27,421
$22,280
$5,141
1992
$26,677
$21,796
$4,881
vs 2010
23.40%
18.49%
38.31%
vs 2000
84.12%
63.07%
177.49%
vs 1992
139.25%
111.63%
262.58%
While from the data above, it can be concluded that library employees have been experiencing significant growth in annual wages, the situation is different when we look at how salaries follow inflation.
Adjusted for inflation (in 1992 dollars), the average public library employee earns around $34,687, salary and benefits included.
Looking at how salaries changed over time, gross wages have risen only around 3.95% since 2010 when adjusted for inflation. The increase is 23.08% compared to 2000 and 30.03% compared to 1992.
Net salaries stand at $25,068 annually when adjusted for inflation, which is a 0.18% decrease compared to 2010, a 9.01% increase over 2000, and 15.01% over 1992.
Employee benefits are $9,619 for 2020 when adjusted to inflation, and benefits are the segment of salary that has increased the most over the years.
Library employees by state
New York public libraries employ the most people in the US, over 12,262. California is the only other state with over 10,000 full-time employees in public libraries (11,796).
On the other hand, North Dakota (252) and Alaska (319) have the fewest full-time library employees.
DC public libraries employ around 22 people on average, the most among all US states. Maryland is in second place with 15.7 employees per library.
Vermont public libraries employ only 2 people on average, the fewest in the US.
The average librarian in Georgia public libraries serves around 7,799 people annually, the most in the US. On the other hand, New Hampshire librarians are in charge of 1,222 borrowers on average, the least in the US.
Public library employees in California earn around $94,656 per year, salary and benefits included. This is the most in the US, followed by Oregon ($84,088), Nevada ($82,169), and New York ($80,957).
West Virginia librarians are the lowest-paid library workers in the US, with average earnings of $39,252.
