Research librarian salary

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  2. Research librarian salary
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Research librarian salary

38 900 SEK

Librarians and archivists

Latest available salary statistics are for 2025. Compare average pay, salary range and related job listings.

29 100 - 43 800 SEK / month

Women earn 98% of what men do.

Kultur, media, design

Average salary 38 900 SEK/month Monthly gross salary
Salary range 29 100 - 43 800 SEK Latest available range Data year 2025 Latest published dataset

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Salary trend About the role What does a research librarian do? – Tasks and work environment Salary development over time Research librarian salary – complete overview Open jobs Related occupations About the data FAQ

Salary progression Research librarian

Average salary 38 900 kr
Males 39 500 kr
Females 38 700 kr
1 Likes 0 Comments 83 Vacant jobs ->

What does a research librarian do? – Tasks and work environment

A research librarian is responsible for supporting researchers, students, and academic staff with information retrieval, source criticism, and literature management. Tasks often include acquiring and cataloging scientific publications, developing digital resources, and providing guidance in referencing and publishing strategies. Many research librarians are also involved in teaching and training in information literacy. The work environment is characterized by close collaboration with research communities, often at universities and colleges, where physical and digital library environments are combined. The profession demands high analytical skills, service orientation, and technical competence in information systems.

Salary development over time

The salary for research librarians has steadily increased in recent years. In 2022, the average salary was 35,200 SEK per month, which increased to 37 600 SEK in 2023. The latest recorded year, 2024, has an average salary of 38 900 SEK, representing an increase of approximately 7% over three years. This positive trend reflects a growing demand for qualified library and information expertise in academic environments. Salaries are also influenced by education level, especially for those with research degrees, and by the sector of employment – public or government. Regional differences may exist, but overall the profession has experienced stable salary growth and some convergence between genders.

Research librarian salary – complete overview

  • Average salary: 38 900 SEK/month
  • Lowest salary: 31,100 SEK/month
  • Highest salary: 42,500 SEK/month
  • Hourly wage (average): 226 SEK
  • Gender difference: Women earn 98% of what men do (38 700 SEK vs. 39 500 SEK)
  • Regional differences: Salaries may vary depending on the region, but exact figures are unavailable

Education and qualifications

The path to becoming a research librarian typically involves an academic degree in library and information science. Many employers prefer candidates with a master's degree or research qualifications, especially at larger research libraries. Practical experience and advanced IT skills are often advantageous, as well as the ability to work with research data and publishing systems. It is common to combine education with internships or projects within academic environments to build relevant experience.

  • Bachelor’s degree: Library and information science (3 years)
  • Master’s degree: Recommended, especially for university and research libraries
  • Research degree: Meritorious for specialized roles
  • Internships: Usually during studies
  • IT skills: Competence in digital library systems and publishing platforms
  • Courses: Continuing education in research data, open access, and scientific communication

Many research librarians develop expert knowledge within specific subject areas, making them invaluable resources in their research fields. It is common for them to participate in international collaborations and conferences, which makes the profession both dynamic and global.

– statsskuld.se

Common benefits and compensations

Research librarians are often offered benefits such as wellness allowances, flexible working hours, and opportunities for professional development. Other common compensations include occupational pensions, subsidized lunches, and access to internal and external training. In some cases, research leave and participation in international exchanges are also available.

Competition and challenges

The profession of research librarian is attractive, but competition for the most qualified positions can be fierce, especially at leading universities and research institutes. A challenge is to stay updated on the rapid development of digital library services and scientific publishing. At the same time, the labor market demands higher specialization and broader IT competencies than before. There is also a paradoxical recruitment situation where some employers struggle to find the right expertise, while there is oversupply in other parts of the profession. Continuous skills development and adaptation to changing research landscapes are therefore crucial.

Tips for those who want to become a research librarian

To succeed as a research librarian, it is beneficial to combine a genuine interest in knowledge with the ability to collaborate and communicate. Being meticulous and analytical facilitates information retrieval and source evaluation, while technical curiosity makes it easier to handle new digital tools. Engagement with research questions and understanding researchers' needs help create added value in the role. Flexibility and adaptability are also important, as the library environment is constantly evolving. Finally, initiative and independence are valuable when developing new services and training within the library.

Key facts about research librarians

  • Education level: At least a bachelor’s degree, often a master's degree
  • Work environment: Academic libraries, often at universities or colleges
  • Work form: Full-time, daytime with flexible hours
  • Demand: Great opportunities for employment, but varies regionally
  • Special skills: IT, digital systems, and research data

Career paths and future prospects

After three to five years in the profession, a research librarian can advance to more specialized roles, such as subject librarian, digital resource coordinator, or head of research support units. There are also opportunities to work with project management, training initiatives, or international collaborations. According to the Swedish Public Employment Service, the job market is good with many opportunities, especially within academic environments. Over a five-year horizon, demand is expected to remain stable, but increasing digitalization and the need for specialized skills may influence future job content and career trajectories. There are approximately 620 job openings in the profession, indicating a continued stable job market.

Frequently asked questions about research librarians

  • What does a research librarian earn?
    - A research librarian has an average salary of 38 900 SEK per month.
  • What are the gender differences in salary?
    - Women earn 98% of what men do in the profession; women 38 700 SEK and men 39 500 SEK.
  • What education is required to work as a research librarian?
    - At least a bachelor's degree in library and information science, often a master's degree is also required.
  • What are the future prospects?
    - The labor market is considered good with great opportunities for employment in the coming five years.
  • What is the highest salary for the profession?
    - The highest salary is 42,500 SEK per month, belonging to a woman in the public sector with research qualifications.
  • What is the lowest salary for a research librarian?
    - The lowest salary is 31,100 SEK per month for a man in the government sector with a high school education.
  • What benefits are common?
    - Benefits such as wellness allowances, flexible working hours, and professional development are common.

Richard Andersson

Richard Andersson - 2025-07-11 01:10:21

Occupation
Who has the highest salary?
The highest salary for a Research librarian is 43800 kr. This salary belongs to a man working in the Public sector with a postgraduate education. The highest salary for a woman in this profession is 43700 kr.
Who has the lowest salary?
The lowest salary for a Research librarian is 29100 kr. This salary belongs to a woman also working in the Government sector. The lowest salary for a man in this profession is 32100 kr.
Salary distributed by age and sector
Age Women's salary as a percentage of men's Base salary Monthly salary
25-34 98% 35600 kr 35900 kr
35-44 100% 38000 kr 38200 kr
45-54 97% 39800 kr 40000 kr
55-64 98% 39900 kr 40100 kr
65-68 39000 kr 39500 kr
Snitt 98% 38600 kr 38900 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 Research 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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Salary, Taxes, and Fees
Net salary 31 390
Net salary
31 390
Taxes
11 718
Fees
12 582

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* Updated with 2026 taxes

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