Library Technician Salary in Washington, DC
Library Technicians in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro area earn a median $57,290 a year — 29% more than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $45,935 take-home, or $3,828 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median library technician salary in Washington, DC. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$4,695
- Social Security (6.2%)$3,552
- Medicare (1.45%)$831
- District of Columbia income tax$2,277
- Take-home pay$45,935
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 6.50% state
The Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro spans District of Columbia, Virginia, Maryland, West Virginia. Pick the state you live in — state income tax follows your residence.
Library Technician pay by experience in Washington, DC
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $40,410 | $19.43 | $33,391 | $2,783 |
| 25th percentile | $47,740 | $22.95 | $38,841 | $3,237 |
| Median (50th) | $57,290 | $27.54 | $45,935 | $3,828 |
| 75th percentile | $63,710 | $30.63 | $50,676 | $4,223 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $77,880 | $37.44 | $59,967 | $4,997 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, District of Columbia resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $57,290 buys in Washington, DC
Prices in Washington, DC are 8.9% higher than the U.S. average (housing costs are 1.51× the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median library technician's $45,935 take-home pay has the buying power of $42,187 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Washington, DC has 1.5× the national concentration of library technician jobs — a strong local market for this occupation.
Best-paying cities for library technicians, adjusted for cost of living
Washington, DC ranks #4 of 31 metro areas once taxes and local prices are taken into account.
| # | Metro area | Median salary | Take-home | Real value* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Seattle, WA | $65,690 | $54,962 | $49,456 |
| 2 | San Francisco, CA | $63,690 | $50,644 | $43,805 |
| 3 | Riverside, CA | $56,510 | $45,411 | $42,663 |
| 4 | Washington, DC | $57,290 | $45,935 | $42,187 |
| 5 | Boston, MA | $57,330 | $45,598 | $42,117 |
| 6 | Sacramento, CA | $55,630 | $44,768 | $41,969 |
| 7 | Portland, OR | $57,050 | $43,857 | $41,602 |
| 8 | Austin, TX | $47,230 | $40,129 | $40,921 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 31 metros →
Frequently asked questions
How much does a library technician make in Washington, DC?
The median library technician salary in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro area is $57,290 a year, or about $27.54 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $47,740 and $63,710.
What is a library technician’s take-home pay in Washington, DC?
On the median $57,290 salary, a single filer living in District of Columbia takes home about $45,935 a year ($3,828 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $2,277 in District of Columbia taxes in 2026.
Is Washington, DC a good place to work as a library technician?
Pay here is 29% above the national median of $44,580. Local prices are 8.9% above the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $42,187 would in a typical U.S. city. Washington, DC ranks #4 of 31 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a library technician afford rent in Washington, DC?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Washington, DC is $1,990 a month ($2,223 for two bedrooms) — 52% of a median library technician’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
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