What's Here? - Table of Contents
School Librarians
How are school librarian salaries determined in Maine?
School librarian salaries in the state of Maine are allocated to schools through the Department of Education of Maine. The usual determinants include the area in which the school is located and the school’s allocated budget. Depending on the size of the school and the size of the library, the allocation of a library fund might be higher or lower. This could mean that in larger libraries within the school district librarians will earn more than their counterparts in smaller schools.
How can one increase their salary?
Entry-level jobs tend to have much lower earnings than regular jobs in the field. For most of the higher paid librarian positions in the school system in Maine, a librarian is not only required to have the educational background and expertise needed but they are also often required to have a few years of experience in a similar position. Therefore, with more years of experience, you are far more likely to increase your salary and earnings.
Librarians and Media Specialists Salaries in urban areas of Maine
| Metro Area | # Employed | Mean Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Bangor, ME | 80 | $61,470 |
| Lewiston-Auburn, ME | 40 | $61,450 |
| Portland-South Portland, ME | 240 | $60,620 | Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics - 2023 |
Librarians and Media Specialists Salaries in rural areas of Maine
| Metro Area | # Employed | Mean Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Northeast Maine nonmetropolitan area | 140 | $53,990 |
| Southwest Maine nonmetropolitan area | 290 | $60,590 | Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics - 2023 |
Resources within Maine providing assistance for better school librarian pay.
In Maine to lobby for better school librarian pay, there are two main organizations that one needs to turn their focus and attention to. The first one is the Main Education Association, which deals with the entire educational sector in Maine. In fact, each year this association puts out a salary guide for educational positions in schools in Maine. The second organization that you can become a member of and lobby with is the Maine Association of School Libraries which is an association that specializes in bringing school librarians together and helping them create a better environment.
Public Librarians
How are public librarian salaries determined in Maine?
When it comes to the public libraries in Maine, two main determinants appear to affect the salary data as presented by the Maine Public Library Annual Report Statistics of the Maine State Library and those seem to be the years that one has spent working a position, and the size of the library. The same position in libraries of different sizes could be paying vastly different amounts, which means that it is safe to say that when the Department of Education allocates funds to libraries, they determine the amount of compensation for librarians based on the number of people they will be required to service and the size of the library.
How can one increase their salary?
Moving to a bigger library is a great way for one to increase their salary in Maine. The size of the library in which they are employed alongside the years of experience that they have appeared to be the main two determining factors for increasing the salary of a librarian in the state. Using the salary data available, one can also determine which libraries tend to offer higher salaries for librarians in public libraries.
Resources within Maine providing assistance for better public librarian pay.
To advocate for better pay for public libraries there are a few different associations and organizations that you can use to advocate for better salaries. Firstly, many libraries have their own association within them that can be used for lobbying. If you are working in a library already, it would be good to check with your organization if they also have an association for lobbying for better pay. There is also the Maine Library Association that can be used by individuals who wish to lobby either on a statewide or national level for better librarian salaries. Other organizations and tools for lobbying can be found on the state of Maine governmental page.
Academic Librarians
How are academic librarian salaries determined in Maine?
Academic librarian salaries in Maine vary greatly depending on the institution that offers the academic position. Different research or academic librarian positions offer varying salaries depending on the funding of the institution that is available. Normally, academic librarians earn higher amounts than their school counterparts for two reasons. Firstly, academic librarians are required to have higher degrees and certifications to be able to apply and get their positions. Secondly, academic librarians tend to be more specialized and often serve a larger number of students as universities tend to be larger institutions.
How can one increase their salary?
The Main Library Associations salary guidelines show that in Maine the salaries of librarians are perceived to increase as the librarian gain more qualifications. In academic settings that are usually true as higher degrees and more years of experience will mean that you can get more specialized or higher-ranking positions. Research output is also sometimes a way of increasing your salary if you are an academic librarian.
How can an academic librarian get tenured and how does this affect their lifetime earning potential?
Tenure procedures depend on the university or college that you are working for. Normally, they include a minimum number of years in your position and references from other faculty members. Getting tenure in an academic library does not necessarily mean that you will be gaining a better income but it can mean that you will not face job instability as you are less likely to lose your job.
Resources within Maine providing assistance for better academic librarian pay.
Maine does not have an academic librarian association that lobbies for better pay for academic librarians. However, there are a number of associations and organizations, such as the Maine Library Association that have resources and toolkits available for individuals interested in lobbying for better pay.