I spent about $20,000 to become a librarian. Then, when looking for a job, I could not find anything that paid

Question

Most jobs paid between 17 and 24 thousand dollars. When I mentioned this to one of the ladies interviewing me, she said that this is not a job that you do for the money. If you are a librarian, how do you feel about your salary. Do you feel that you are being properly compensated for all the work you do? Is it too much to expect to make enough to live on, especially when the job requires that you have a Master's Degree? I'm really PO'd

Answer 1

Librarians should be compensated at about $80,000 at the beginning level up to $150,000 to $200,000 for advanced-level work.

I think that librarians should take over a new field called Knowledge Management, where people who don't know very much are earning that kind of money to organize knowledge and learning. They are doing a piss-poor job of it, while we have people (librarians) well trained to do a spectacular job of it. I suggest you take one systems architecture course and declare yourself a Knowledge Management specialist and get $100,000 a year at a major university or corporation.

Remember, Bill Gates got all his inspiration from working with his community librarian!

Answer 2

I agree with Jordan K. You don't just get a master's degree in a field without researching the job. This might just be where I live, but I have heard of librarians making salaries much higher than that. Do a search for salary calculators and see if you would get a higher salary living somewhere else.

Answer 3

You've assumed that the only jobs for a library science degree is your local library. Wrong...

JP is right that there are plenty of opportunities in the private sector. Don't rely on Monster or other internet resume sites - the employers have to pay to post jobs/access resumes.

Do your research and find out what is available. If you really want to make better money, you may be required to relocate. Contact companies specifically and find out how to apply within their organization.

While you're searching, volunteer at your local library. You'll be able to add this to your resume as a skill acquired, it will show an interest in community service and it will give you job skills for your area.

Answer 4

I was a library assistant for 5 years in a college setting. My supervisor was after me to get my MLS degree too, but since I knew it wasn't worth the money I never did. I went on to work for a law library for 7 years and then a computer network for libraries (OCLC) for 8 years. I never did get my MLS; most people assume I have one. When asked I am honest about my lack of degree, but most never ask.

My best advise to you is to look in the private sector for a job. Law libraries, corporate libraries, private archives, etc. pay much better salaries than public or college libraries.

Answer 5

Son is spending a ton of $ to get his Masters degree in Psychology/Sociology to teach in a community college knowing that he will not be raking in the huge bucks..
why are you PO'D? why didn't you do any research before pursuing this degree, career

Answer 6

I was a librarian for 2 years making $14.00/hr, I know it wasn't much but not bad without having a college degree.

Answer 7

I think you should have thought about this before spending the $20K.

Answer 8

Sounds like another episode of life...blow the school up

Answer 9

Welcome to the real world...a college degree allows you to attain a job and that's it...and sometimes it doesn't even help you do that.

Answer 10

didn't you research this before you went to school for it? everybody knows librarians don't make anything