What's Here? - Table of Contents
School Librarians
School librarians in most states are required to have an educator license to which a library endorsement is added. This certification ensures that you can teach school children to make the best use of library facilities. Salaries of educators in New York have been enjoying a gradual increase since the United Federation of Teachers (UFT) signed a new contract to cause a gradual increase from 2018 to 2022 (7.5% over three years).
How Are School Librarian Salaries Determined in New York?
The New York City Department of Education (NYCDOE) fixes the salaries of educators in the state taking into account several factors. Your prior experience and educational qualifications affect your wage as a school librarian in New York. Note that, New York boasts of one of the highest wages in the U.S., especially with the ongoing yearly increase in wages. Based on your qualifications, you are placed on a salary step that determines how your salary progresses yearly. Learn more about salaries for educators in NYC public schools here.
Librarians and Media Specialists Salaries in urban areas of New York
| Metro Area | # Employed | Mean Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY | 600 | $73,850 |
| Binghamton, NY | 100 | $71,030 |
| Buffalo-Cheektowaga-Niagara Falls, NY | 470 | $66,250 |
| Glens Falls, NY | 70 | $59,720 |
| Ithaca, NY | 110 | $76,770 |
| Kingston, NY | 100 | $72,700 |
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA | 10,680 | $85,660 |
| Rochester, NY | 710 | $65,680 |
| Syracuse, NY | 430 | $69,340 |
| Utica-Rome, NY | 170 | $61,250 |
| Watertown-Fort Drum, NY | 60 | $59,700 | Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics - 2023 |
Librarians and Media Specialists Salaries in rural areas of New York
| Metro Area | # Employed | Mean Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Capital/Northern New York nonmetropolitan area | 170 | $66,500 |
| Southwest New York nonmetropolitan area | 230 | $56,270 |
| Central East New York nonmetropolitan area | 200 | $64,780 | Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics - 2023 |
How Can One Increase Their Salary?
The NYCDOE pays attention to the wages of educators as a premium value is placed on education. With the ongoing increment plan, your salary increases yearly as your experience accumulates and with the number of coursework units that accrue to you. This is because of your value and ability to support the institution’s values and mission.
Your initial salary placement determines the increment pattern of your salary this is why you need to position yourself for a good placement from the outset. You can position yourself for a salary differential in which you get a wage increase with each new qualification you add to your entry qualification. You will be required to fill a separate form before your resume and file it within six months of resuming.
Associations That Provide Help or Resources
The New York City School Librarians’ Association (NYCSLA) is the body that represents school librarians in New York City; providing a community and representation for their needs and welfare. Members include teachers and librarians who work in public schools as well as other individuals who are passionate about promoting library use in NYC schools. NYCSLA works in concert with national organizations like the American Library Association (ALA) and American Association of School Librarians (AASL); and state organizations like the New York Library Association (NYLA). They hold conferences and webinars to equip members to deliver excellent library services.
Public Librarians
State libraries provide a rich collection of books, DVDs, and other media which residents can benefit from. Public librarians are known to facilitate the smooth running of these facilities and organizing helpful programs for library members.
How Are Public Librarian Salaries Determined in New York?
Different public libraries in the state determine what librarian salaries apply in their facility. As public librarians are required to handle a diverse catalog, they should be adequately compensated to keep them functioning at top capacity. The board takes your qualifications and relevant experience into account in deciding suitable pay for you and every staff member. The New York Public Library provides a good example with the added benefits that they use to augment the value of the salary.
How Can One Increase Their Salary?
Professional development is an important ingredient for career advancement in any field and this reflects in the requirements for salary increase. State libraries have an agreed system of salary increase for staff members which is designed along with the salary structure. Taking professional development courses or running degree programs to improve your entry qualifications increase your value to the library and will result in a pay increase.
Associations That Provide Help or Resources
Public librarians in NYC are eligible members of NYLA which provides representation and engages in advocacy to improve the library user experience. They provide resources for their members including suggestions for continuing education exploits, newsletters, and conferences. The NYLA voice is a publication by the association which is released six times yearly and contains useful information for members.
Academic Librarians
Academic librarians are an important part of the library community in any state as the healthy research climate in the university facilitates the discovery of new and improved approaches to library processes.
How Are Academic Librarian Salaries Determined in New York?
The State University of New York (SUNY) uses a salary guide designed by the United University Professions (UUP) which is an association that represents university professionals. You can see the guide for librarian and other library staff salaries here. The schedule shows a gradual increase in their salaries from July 2015 to September 2021. Other Institutions of Higher Education (IHE) can choose to adopt a custom-made salary structure for academic librarians.
How Can One Increase Their Salary?
Each institution has its defined increment pattern for salaries usually based on a step formula. The step you are placed on from your employment determines the percentage increase in your salary as you advance in experience and professional development. Promotions and job switches offer tremendous potentials concerning salary increases.
How Can an Academic Librarian Get Tenured and How Does This Affect Their Lifetime Earning Potential?
Tenure provides job security for academic professionals and also affects their pay and benefits. Academic librarians can also work towards fulfilling the requirements for being awarded tenure. They usually include stellar professional, scholarly, and social performance. The New York University promotion and tenure guidelines can be used as a great example of the process of awarding tenure. See it here. Each faculty designs their requirements in accidence with these guidelines.
Associations That Provide Help or Resources
NYLA also represents the interests of Academic librarians through their resources and conferences. It also affords networking opportunities that you can leverage in your career as an academic librarian. Their career resources including webinars and materials which are useful for professional development.