The American Association of Law Libraries (AALL) has published its 2025 Biennial Salary Survey & Organizational Characteristics report, disclosing detailed compensation benchmarks for legal information professionals. Capturing responses from 257 organizations encompassing academic, firm/corporate, and government law libraries, this survey presents a detailed panorama of current staffing and salary trends.
The survey illustrates a notable uptick in staffing levels, with law libraries now averaging 6.6 full-time equivalent positions, an increase from 4.6 in 2019. This marks the most significant staffing growth observed in recent years. Notably, academic law libraries represent the largest employers, averaging 15.2 FTEs per institution, overshadowing the 7.9 and 7.8 FTEs per institution for firm/corporate and government law libraries respectively.
Compensation in law libraries demonstrates considerable variability, tightly linked to factors such as library type and career progression. At the high end, directors of research and library services at a northeastern U.S. law firm reportedly earn $281,860, contrasting starkly with the $32,697 minimum seen among clerks, fellows, interns, and student assistants in government law libraries.
Survey findings underscore the strong earning potential in firm/corporate environments, stating typical remunerations for directors of research services at $184,453 and for chief knowledge officers at $193,767. Furthermore, bonuses also represent a notable income component, with directors receiving a median 2024 bonus of $14,500.
Academic law libraries offer additional variances based on factors like law school size and geographic location. Directors in these settings show median earnings of $179,509, with compensation ranging between a 10th-percentile of $130,000 to a 90th-percentile high of $246,917. Comparison reveals private-school directors out-earning their public-school counterparts, a continuing trend.
In government sectors, salaries lag behind, yet senior roles such as directors/chief law librarians hold competitive median salaries of $116,333. Almost universally, government law libraries (94 percent) maintain public accessibility, cementing their vital role in facilitating justice.
It is evident that experience and educational qualifications significantly influence salary levels. Directors with extensive experience can command salaries beyond $190,000, while holding both a master of library science (MLS) and juris doctor (JD) degree can also enhance earning potential.
The survey highlights the profession’s adaptability amidst ongoing technological advancements, with positions increasingly requiring knowledge of artificial intelligence and library technology trends. Furthermore, law libraries are progressively becoming central to institutional decision-making processes, technology governance, and knowledge strategy, showcasing their evolving role in the legal ecosystem.
Comprehensive benefit packages remain a common offering across sectors, with most organizations providing medical and dental insurance, retirement plans, and paid leave. Notably, flexible and remote work options are now prevalent, particularly among firm/corporate and academic environments.
The full report, which provides detailed insights and benchmarking tools, is available to AALL members. Continual updates to this survey are planned to monitor compensation trends and workforce developments, with an acknowledgment of the ongoing importance of addressing pay equity within the profession.