How much does a Librarian make

  1. Salary statistics
  2. Librarian
Image that illustrates Librarian

Librarian

37 600 kr

Librarians and archivists

31 100 - 42 500 kr / month

Women earn 98% of what men do.

Kultur, media, design

What will be the salary after tax?

Salary progression Librarian

Average salary 37 600 kr
Males 38 200 kr
Females 37 400 kr
1 Likes 0 Comments 30 Vacant jobs ->

What does a Librarian do? – Tasks and Work Environment

Librarians primarily work with organizing, managing, and making information and media accessible to the public or specific user groups. Tasks include cataloging books and digital resources, guiding visitors in information retrieval, planning program activities, and collaborating with schools or other institutions. The profession also involves developing library services, working with digitization, and supporting users in their information literacy. The work environment is often characterized by calmness and order, but can also be socially and intellectually stimulating as librarians meet people of different ages and needs.

Salary Development Over Time

The salary development for librarians has been stable but shows a clear positive trend in recent years. In 2022, the average salary was 35,200 SEK per month, which increased to 36 100 SEK in 2023 and further to 37 600 SEK in 2024. This development corresponds to an increase of approximately 6.8% over a three-year period, slightly higher than the general salary growth in the public sector. The salary increase can be explained by a greater focus on digital competence, changing requirements for information management, and some competition for qualified personnel. The demand for librarians with specialized skills in digitization and information security has also contributed to strengthening salary development.

Many librarians engage in societal issues and actively work to promote inclusion, digital participation, and reading enthusiasm among both children and adults. This makes the profession an important link between knowledge, culture, and democracy in society.

– statsskuld.se

Librarian Salary – Complete Overview

  • Average salary: 37 600 SEK/month
  • Lowest salary: 31,100 SEK/month (male, government sector, upper secondary education)
  • Highest salary: 42,500 SEK/month (female, public sector, postgraduate education)
  • Hourly wage: 226 SEK/hour
  • Women earn: 98% of men's salary (37 400 SEK compared to 38 200 SEK)
  • Regional differences: Salaries can vary depending on region and employer, especially between government and municipal libraries.

Education and Qualifications

To work as a librarian, a university degree in library and information science is generally required. The education provides knowledge about information management, digital resources, user service, and literature dissemination. Many librarians also take supplementary courses in information security, pedagogy, or specialized areas such as children's and youth literature.

  • Bachelor's degree: Library and information science, 3 years
  • Master's degree: Possible, provides in-depth competence (2 years)
  • Internship: Often included in the education, providing work experience
  • Courses/certifications: For example, in digital information management or pedagogy
  • Prerequisites: Basic eligibility for university studies

Common Benefits and Compensation

Librarians are often offered benefits such as wellness allowances, professional development, flexible working hours, and generous vacation terms. In the public sector, there are also occupational pensions, subsidized lunches, and opportunities for remote work for certain tasks.

Competition and Challenges

The job market for librarians is characterized by a paradoxical situation where there are both recruitment difficulties and a relatively high proportion of part-time workers or individuals leaving the profession. The demand for librarians with digital skills and specialization in information management is increasing, while traditional tasks are evolving with society's digitalization. Competition for permanent positions can be intense, especially in major cities and university libraries, whereas smaller towns may have more difficulty recruiting. The work environment demands service orientation, pedagogical skills, and adaptability to new technologies and working methods.

Tips for Aspiring Librarians

To succeed as a librarian, it is beneficial to have a genuine interest in both people and information. Being service-oriented makes it easier to meet visitors' needs and create a welcoming environment. A structured work approach facilitates handling large amounts of information and digital resources, while curiosity helps adapt to new technological solutions and methods. Good patience is important, especially when guiding users or working with children and youth. Pedagogical skills and good communication make it easier to assist visitors and collaborate with colleagues. Flexibility is also valuable, as tasks can vary daily and require quick adjustments.

Key Facts about Librarians

  • Education level: Bachelor's degree in library and information science
  • Work environment: Calm, structured, and social environments
  • Typical employment: Public sector, often permanent positions
  • Job openings: 620 within the profession (2024)
  • Demand: Stable outlook with some digitalization trend

Career Paths and Future Prospects

After three to five years in the profession, a librarian can develop into specialist roles in areas such as digital libraries, information management, or pedagogical activities. There are also opportunities to advance into managerial positions such as department head, coordinator, or project manager. According to the Swedish Public Employment Service's forecasts, job prospects for the profession remain good, with steady demand and a large number of job openings nationally (620 vacancies in 2024). Digitalization and increased requirements for information literacy are expected to continue influencing the role, providing librarians with relevant further education excellent opportunities for development and career advancement. The forecast indicates unchanged demand over five years, with some regional variations.

Frequently Asked Questions about Librarians

  • What is the average salary for a Librarian?
    - A librarian has an average monthly salary of 37 600 SEK in 2024.
  • How large is the salary difference between men and women?
    - Women earn 98% of what men do: 37 400 SEK compared to 38 200 SEK per month.
  • What are the highest and lowest salaries for Librarians?
    - The highest salary is 42,500 SEK (female, public sector, postgraduate education) and the lowest is 31,100 SEK (male, government sector, upper secondary education).
  • What education is required to become a librarian?
    - A bachelor's degree in library and information science is usually required.
  • What does the job market look like for librarians?
    - The job market is stable with 620 job openings and steady demand according to forecasts.
  • Are there regional salary differences?
    - Yes, salaries vary between regions and employers, especially between government and municipal libraries.
  • What personal qualities are important for a librarian?
    - Service-mindedness, organization, curiosity, patience, and pedagogical skills are important qualities.

Richard Andersson

Richard Andersson - 2025-07-09 17:46:17

Occupation
Who has the highest salary?
The highest salary for a Librarian is 42500 kr. This salary belongs to a woman working in the Public sector with a postgraduate education. The highest salary for a man in this profession is 42400 kr.
Who has the lowest salary?
The lowest salary for a Librarian is 31100 kr. This salary belongs to a man working in the Government sector. The lowest salary for a woman in this profession is 31400 kr.
Salary distributed by age and sector
Age Women's salary as a percentage of men's Base salary Monthly salary
25-34 99% 34400 kr 34700 kr
35-44 99% 36800 kr 37000 kr
45-54 98% 38200 kr 38400 kr
55-64 97% 38600 kr 38800 kr
65-68 38200 kr 38700 kr
Snitt 98% 37300 kr 37600 kr
* Empty columns indicate that the statistical data was insufficient to allow for a statistically significant conclusion.
Salary per sector
Salary based on education
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About the data

All information displayed on this page is based on data from the Swedish Central Bureau of Statistics (SCB), the Swedish Tax Agency and the Swedish employment agency. Learn more about our data and data sources here.

All figures are gross salaries, meaning salaries before tax. The average salary, or mean salary, is calculated by adding up the total salary for all individuals within the profession and dividing it by the number of individuals. For specific job categories, we have also considered various criteria such as experience and education.

Profession Librarian has the SSYK code 2622, which we use to match against the SCB database to obtain the latest salary statistics.

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