Oregon Librarian Salary Guide - 2024

School Librarians

School librarians go through a rigorous certification process in which they must first obtain an educator certification before being endorsed as a library and media specialist. Different states have different requirements. As a school librarian, your ability to communicate seamlessly with pupils, students, and other staff members is essential. A conversation about remuneration and how that affects your attitude to work is normal and necessary.

How Are School Librarian Salaries Determined in Oregon?

State schools are funded by the state government. However, each institution fixes salary ranges for their staff members. As a school librarian in a public school in Oregon, you will be placed on a suitable salary scale on entry. This is determined by considering the available resources, your qualifications, and your level of experience. Having a master’s degree and a good level of experience will likely cause you to earn closer to the upper limit for your position.

Librarians and Media Specialists Salaries in urban areas of Oregon

Librarians and Media Specialists Salaries in rural areas of Oregon

How Can One Increase Their Salary?

Different institutions set their standard for salary increases. The longer you stay in service to an institution and the more professional development courses you take, the higher your tendency of getting a salary raise. Promotion on the premise of increased capacity and perceived value of a staff member is the surest way to get a raise. Your primary placement on the salary schedule usually determines the percentage increase you can expect annually if there is no general formula.

Associations That Provide Help or Resources

School librarians in Oregon are eligible members of the Oregon Association of School Libraries (OASL) which partners with librarians and libraries to empower students in the state. This association is closely affiliated with the Oregon Library Association (OLA) which is the umbrella body for all librarians in the state. These organizations provide networking and mentoring opportunities for members through their conferences. They also assist members with direction on professional development programs.

Public Librarians

Oregon is home to some public libraries such as Tigard, Monmouth, and Albany Public libraries. These libraries require the services of professional public librarians to provide the best service for users. Innovative public librarians can do very well for themselves in the long run.

How Are Public Librarian Salaries Determined in Oregon?

Oregon has about 250 public libraries scattered across the 36 counties. Each of these libraries determines the salary of the public librarians and other staff members employed there. They take into consideration different factors that will affect the quality of your service to the library and place you on a suitable salary scale.

How Can One Increase Their Salary?

Public librarians can increase their salary by working in line with the laid down requirements for an upward review by the following year. These libraries take into account your professional development and the quality of your service over the past year into consideration. This is why you should set up or manage special programs or clubs that make the library use more rewarding for users. 

Associations That Provide Help or Resources

Public librarians in Oregon can join the Public Library Division (PLD) of OLA. The unit provides help with continuing education for members. Their conferences provide networking and learning opportunities too. To join contact the board chair here or any of the board members.

Academic Librarians

Academic librarians have a huge influence on the process of managing and running a library since their research has birthed a lot of the changes. Libraries are an important department in institutions of higher learning and they must be managed as such.

How Are Academic Librarian Salaries Determined in Oregon?

Salaries are fixed by each institution after considering relevant factors such as qualifications and experience. The Oregon State University publishes quarterly salary reports where they reveal the salaries associated with each position. Academic librarians are professionals. It is, therefore, expected that they are remunerated as such.

How Can One Increase Their Salary?

Different institutions have their specific process and requirements for salary increases. The Oregon State University provides a suitable example. Employees must first qualify for a general increase (must have been at the university for a full year) and fulfill some other requirements. Then, employees who have had an outstanding performance can be recommended by their faculties. This is something you want to pay attention to as a school librarian seeking a raise. Read about the salary increase process at Oregon State University here.

How Can an Academic Librarian Get Tenured and How Does This Affect Their Lifetime Earning Potential?

Academic staff of universities and other institutions of higher learning are particular about the tenure requirements and process because of the job security and benefits associated with it. The University of Oregon usually announces vacancies for these positions ad clearly states the procedure for screening to help deans of faculties and heads of departments to recommend a suitable candidate. The process must be documented in the file of the employee, highlighting how it affects their salary. Read more here. Different institutions have their requirements and specific process for tenure.

Associations That Provide Help or Resources

The Association of College and Research Libraries –Oregon (ACRL-Oregon) provides a platform for academic librarians to network and discuss important issues affecting them. They hold conferences and webinars that are beneficial for their members and engage in advocacy to maintain and improve the conditions of libraries and library staff. The association works together with OLA.