Where the librarian salary sits against the national full-time average
This page compares the typical pay for librarians in Australia with the national full-time average, using the most recent official data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) and the ALIA salary standards. The aim is to show how librarian salaries stack up against the broader workforce.
National benchmarks
The ABS Average Weekly Earnings, May 2026, sets the national full-time adult ordinary time average at $2,083.70 per week, or about $108,352 per year (multiplied by 52). This is the figure used as the line on this site. For comparison, the full-time median earnings across all occupations (from the ABS Employee Earnings, August 2025) are about $1,852 per week ($90,532 per year), and the all-employees median (including part-time) is about $1,425 per week ($74,100 per year). The national minimum wage from 1 July 2026 is $26.44 per hour, $1,004.90 per week on a 38-hour week, or about $52,255 per year.
Librarian median earnings
According to the ABS Survey of Employee Earnings and Hours, May 2025, the median full-time weekly earnings for librarians are $1,841 per week. This translates to roughly $95,732 per year before tax. This figure is for full-time non-managerial adult employees, which gives a more accurate picture of typical pay than an average that could be skewed by a few high earners.
Compared to the national full-time average of $2,083.70, the librarian median is $242.70 per week lower – about 12% below the average. It is also slightly below the all-occupations full-time median of $1,852. So librarian pay sits a little under the middle of the full-time workforce and further below the average, which is lifted by higher-paid professions.
State and territory differences
The national average masks large variations by location. The on-site state full-time averages (from ABS Average Weekly Earnings, May 2026) are:
- New South Wales: $109,658
- Victoria: $106,137
- Queensland: $106,064
- South Australia: $102,450
- Western Australia: $115,825
- Tasmania: $96,008
- Northern Territory: $103,173
- Australian Capital Territory: $119,090
A librarian in the ACT, where the average is highest, may earn more than one in Tasmania, where the average is lowest. The ALIA salary standards for NSW public sector librarians (see below) show that pay can vary significantly by grade and experience. For a more detailed look at how state averages affect your pay, see the States and territories page.
Award and enterprise agreement rates
Many librarians, especially in public libraries, are covered by state awards or enterprise agreements. The ALIA salary standards for NSW (under the Crown Employees (Public Sector – Salaries 2008) Award) provide a clear example. From 1 July 2026, the rates for librarians and archivists are:
- Grade 1: $78,000 (Year 1) to $101,911 (Year 6)
- Grade 2: $106,182 (Year 1) to $120,478 (Year 4)
- Grade 3: $126,814 (Year 1) to $141,291 (Year 4)
- Grade 4: $145,525 (Year 1) to $159,035 (Year 4)
- Grade 5: $163,525 (Year 1) to $180,359 (Year 4)
These are for the NSW public sector and may not apply elsewhere, but they illustrate the range. A librarian at Grade 1 Year 1 earns $78,000, well below the national average, while a Grade 5 Year 4 earns $180,359, well above it. Most librarians fall in the middle grades. For more on how salaries are set, see How the figures are set.
Career progression and grades
Librarian salaries increase with experience and responsibility. The median age for librarians is 50 years, indicating a mature workforce. The ALIA grades show that moving from Grade 1 to Grade 5 can more than double pay. Specialisation (e.g., law, medical, or academic librarianship) and management roles also boost earnings. The Job medians page provides medians for many occupations, including librarians.
Tax considerations
For the 2026–27 income year, resident tax rates are: nil up to $18,200; 15% from $18,201 to $45,000; 30% from $45,001 to $135,000; 37% from $135,001 to $190,000; and 45% above $190,000. A librarian earning the median $95,732 would fall in the 30% bracket (plus 2% Medicare levy). The tax-free threshold means the first $18,200 is tax-free. For a detailed breakdown, use the Place a salary on the line tool.
Summary
The median librarian salary of $1,841 per week is below the national full-time average of $2,083.70. However, librarian pay varies widely by state, sector, and experience. The NSW public sector award shows that experienced librarians in senior grades can earn well above the average. For a personalised comparison, try the Guides or About this site for more context.