National median annual wage for this occupation.
Library science teachers, postsecondary
Explore national salary, projected growth, education requirements, and career opportunities across the United States.
National Snapshot
A concise view of this occupation’s national scale, compensation, and projected demand.
Estimated jobs currently supported nationwide.
Projected employment change through 2034.
Estimated openings created each year.
Preparation
The typical education, prior experience, and on-the-job training associated with entry into this career.
Education
Doctoral or professional degree
Experience
None
Training
None
Top Skills for Success
These are the highest-rated capabilities associated with success in this occupation. Scores are derived from occupational skill analysis and are measured on a 100-point scale.
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Best Places for This Career
Explore the states and metropolitan areas offering the strongest combination of salary, employment, demand, and long-term opportunity.
Best Metro Areas
Discover metro markets where compensation, hiring demand, and long-term momentum align.
- Top-paying cities
- Fast-growing markets
- Local opportunity rankings
Career Analysis for Library Science Teachers, Postsecondary
Understand the salary, outlook, education, and geographic opportunities shaping this career.
Is Library science teachers, postsecondary a Good Career?
Library science teachers, postsecondary, work in higher education, focusing on library and information science. Nationally, the median annual salary is $78,630, with total employment of about 5,000. Projected employment growth of 3.0% indicates modest expansion over time. While national annual openings are listed as 0, the existing workforce and growth projection suggest this remains a specialized but established academic field. Career opportunities vary by location, with some states and metro areas offering notably higher salaries and stronger opportunity scores. California, New York, Massachusetts, Washington, and Virginia all show measurable employment and positive growth. At the metro level, New York-Newark-Jersey City and San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont stand out with high opportunity scores and six-figure median salaries. This career typically requires a doctoral or professional degree, along with strengths in writing and reading, critical thinking, leadership, and technology, making it a focused path for those committed to advanced academic and professional preparation.
Library Science Teachers, Postsecondary Salary
Library science teachers, postsecondary, earn a national median annual salary of $78,630. Earnings differ substantially by location. Among the top states, California reports a median salary of $125,640, and Washington shows $104,540, both higher than the national median. Virginia and Massachusetts offer median salaries of $82,880 and $80,850, respectively, while New York’s median is $76,060. At the metro level, pay can be even higher. The San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont metro lists a median salary of $129,120, and Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim shows $109,250. The New York-Newark-Jersey City metro reports $101,920, and Washington-Arlington-Alexandria reports $99,720. Even in metros with lower figures among the leaders, such as Boston-Cambridge-Newton at $80,850, earnings remain around or above the national median. Overall, salary potential in this field is strongly influenced by state and metro choice.
Job Outlook for Library Science Teachers, Postsecondary
National employment for library science teachers, postsecondary, is 5,000, with projected employment growth of 3.0%. This indicates that the occupation is expected to expand at a measured pace. The national data lists annual openings as 0, emphasizing that this is a relatively small and specialized field. Despite that, the combination of current employment and positive projected growth shows ongoing demand across states and metro areas. The top states by opportunity score—California, Massachusetts, New York, Washington, and Virginia—all show the same 3.0% growth rate, aligning with the national projection. Similarly, the leading metro areas, including New York-Newark-Jersey City, San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, Boston-Cambridge-Newton, and Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, each report 3.0% growth. For prospective candidates, this suggests steady but limited expansion, where openings may be competitive and closely tied to institutional needs in higher education.
Where Are the Best Opportunities for Library Science Teachers, Postsecondary?
Location plays a major role in opportunity for library science teachers, postsecondary. Among states, California ranks high with a median salary of $125,640, employment of 310, growth of 3.0%, and an opportunity score of 67.38. New York and Massachusetts also show solid potential, with opportunity scores of 65.78 and 65.87, respectively, and median salaries around or above the national level. Washington and Virginia round out the top five, combining six-figure or strong five-figure salaries with 3.0% growth and mid-50s opportunity scores. At the metro level, New York-Newark-Jersey City stands out, with a median salary of $101,920, employment of 170, 3.0% growth, and the highest listed opportunity score of 77.27. San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont offers the highest metro median salary at $129,120 with an opportunity score of 68.75. Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, Boston-Cambridge-Newton, and Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim also provide strong combinations of salary, employment, and opportunity scores.
Education for Library Science Teachers, Postsecondary
The typical education requirement for library science teachers, postsecondary, is a doctoral or professional degree. This reflects the advanced academic nature of teaching at the college or university level in this field. Success in this career draws on a broad mix of skills. Strong writing and reading abilities support scholarly work and academic communication. Computers and information technology skills are important, alongside speaking and listening for effective instruction and interaction. Adaptability, creativity and innovation, and critical and analytical thinking help in handling complex material and evolving academic contexts. Leadership, problem solving and decision making, interpersonal skills, and customer service round out the profile, supporting work with students, colleagues, and institutions. Together, the high education requirement and this wide-ranging skill set make this role well suited to individuals prepared for extensive graduate study and ongoing professional development.
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