Home > Salary > South Africa > Reference Librarian
A reference librarian is a professional responsible for assisting library patrons in finding information and conducting research. They are experts in navigating library resources, including books, databases, and digital archives, and are skilled in helping users locate the information they need. Reference librarians provide guidance on search strategies, evaluate the credibility of sources, and offer assistance in using library tools effectively. They also answer questions, provide recommendations, and offer instruction on how to access and use library materials.
Estimated Yearly Salary: 131,289 ZAR
Estimated Monthly Salary: 10,941 ZAR
Estimated Weekly Salary: 2,525 ZAR per week
Estimated Hourly Salary: 63 ZAR per hour
Values are pre-tax
Last revision of data: 2025-01-04
Estimated Monthly Salary: 10,593 ZAR
Estimated Weekly Salary: 2,445 ZAR per week
Estimated Hourly Salary: 61 ZAR per hour
Last revision of data: 2024-01-06
Estimated Yearly Salary: 6,602 USD
Estimated Monthly Salary: 550 USD
Estimated Weekly Salary: 127 USD per week
Estimated Hourly Salary: 3 USD per hour
Difference in salary year over year or average salary increase is approximately
3 %
Data confidence is - relatively high
Data fetched from dabase: 14 submissions.
Results are anonymized. Amounts indicated are pre-tax, meaning no deductionts yet have been made to the basic salary. Salaries where there are less than 3 entries are not displayed.
Want to check how your salary compares? Submit your own salary here
Estimated Yearly Salary: 131,289 ZAR
Estimated Monthly Salary: 10,941 ZAR
Estimated Weekly Salary: 2,525 ZAR per week
Estimated Hourly Salary: 63 ZAR per hour
By working as Reference Librarian a person can save up to 279 USD per month or 3,348 USD yearly. Values are pre-tax.
NOTE: These values are estimates and are averaged for the whole country. Furthermore the value is likely exaggerated as no other expenses are taken into account in the projection. Unessential expenses are very subjective and are difficult to assess. Most likely the previously estimated number is significantly lower for majority of people. Expenses in different cities across the country may vary. Above values accuracy is low and is based on limited set of data obtained.
For more information regarding expenses in South Africa, see costs of living in South Africa.
Estimated Yearly Salary for Reference Librarian
Last revision of data: 2025-01-04
Data as of 2025
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Reference Librarian salary in South Africa
Average Yearly Salary of Reference Librarian in South Africa is approximately 131,289 ZAR (6,602 USD). Data is for 2025 and indicates a pre-tax value. The salary itself depends on multiple factors such as seniority, job performance, certifications, experience or any other bonuses. The value indicated is an average amount based on records we have in database. Real values may vary. The data is for orientational purposes.
What does Reference Librarian do?

Skills: Reference librarian, Information retrieval, Research assistance, Library resources, Search strategies, Information literacy
Job industry: Education
Job industry: Education
How much does Reference Librarian make?
Salary details
How much does Reference Librarian make?Estimated Yearly Salary: 131,289 ZAR
Estimated Monthly Salary: 10,941 ZAR
Estimated Weekly Salary: 2,525 ZAR per week
Estimated Hourly Salary: 63 ZAR per hour
Comparing salary to last year:
Estimated Yearly Salary: 127,120 ZAREstimated Monthly Salary: 10,593 ZAR
Estimated Weekly Salary: 2,445 ZAR per week
Estimated Hourly Salary: 61 ZAR per hour
Reference Librarian estimated salary in USD
For easier comparison here is an estimated salary in USD:Estimated Yearly Salary: 6,602 USD
Estimated Monthly Salary: 550 USD
Estimated Weekly Salary: 127 USD per week
Estimated Hourly Salary: 3 USD per hour
Difference in salary year over year or average salary increase is approximately
About these results
Data confidence is - relatively high Data fetched from dabase: 14 submissions.
Results are anonymized. Amounts indicated are pre-tax, meaning no deductionts yet have been made to the basic salary. Salaries where there are less than 3 entries are not displayed.
Want to check how your salary compares? Submit your own salary here
Compare salary to other countries
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Country:
Salary comparison to National average
South Africa is a diverse and vibrant country located at the southernmost tip of the African continent. It has a population of approximately 59 million people and covers an area of around 1.2 million square kilometers. The country is known for its rich cultural heritage, stunning landscapes, and abundant wildlife.
Estimated national average yearly salary is 126,956 ZAR (6,780 USD). Value indicated is pre-tax. Below graph shows estimated Reference Librarian job salary compared to average salary in South Africa.
Comparison shows that a person working as Reference Librarian in South Africa earns on average:
1.03 times the average salary (or 103% of average salary).
Estimated national average yearly salary is 126,956 ZAR (6,780 USD). Value indicated is pre-tax. Below graph shows estimated Reference Librarian job salary compared to average salary in South Africa.
Comparison shows that a person working as Reference Librarian in South Africa earns on average:
1.03 times the average salary (or 103% of average salary).
Is Reference Librarian a well paid job?
Yes, our data show that Reference Librarian is an averagely well paid job that still allows for some yearly savings. With years and experience the salary might increase even further, resulting in higher satisfaction.What is considered a high salary for Reference Librarian?
High salary for Reference Librarian would be somewhere between 144,418 ZAR and 190,369 ZAR. However this is an estimation based on Gaussian Distribution.How much can you save working as Reference Librarian in South Africa?
Living in South Africa the approximate monthly expenses are: 271 USD. This amount covers basic needs such as food, housing, clothing, healthcare and education costs for a single person. No luxury expenses such as traveling, leisure, hobbies are included in the estimation.Estimated Yearly Salary: 131,289 ZAR
Estimated Monthly Salary: 10,941 ZAR
Estimated Weekly Salary: 2,525 ZAR per week
Estimated Hourly Salary: 63 ZAR per hour
By working as Reference Librarian a person can save up to 279 USD per month or 3,348 USD yearly. Values are pre-tax.
NOTE: These values are estimates and are averaged for the whole country. Furthermore the value is likely exaggerated as no other expenses are taken into account in the projection. Unessential expenses are very subjective and are difficult to assess. Most likely the previously estimated number is significantly lower for majority of people. Expenses in different cities across the country may vary. Above values accuracy is low and is based on limited set of data obtained.
For more information regarding expenses in South Africa, see costs of living in South Africa.
Salary comparison to region and neighbouring coutries
Country's neighbours are: Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Eswatini, Lesotho. To make it easier for comparison a conversion from local currency to USD has been made (conversion rates may vary).Estimated Yearly Salary for Reference Librarian
Salary increase per years of experience
Based on data available the salary increase per years of experience is as following- 0 years (beginner) equals base salary
- 1 to 5 years of experience yields
- 6 to 10 years of experience yields
- 11 to 15 years of experience yields
- 16 to 25 years of experience yields
- more than 25 years of experience yields
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9. Oncologist
(1,071,922 ZAR per year, pre-tax.)
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(1,071,632 ZAR per year, pre-tax.)
Random salary:
Sap portal consultant (215,518 ZAR per year, pre-tax.)
Medical examiner (198,561 ZAR per year, pre-tax.)
Senior user experience designer (232,321 ZAR per year, pre-tax.)
Fpga engineer (257,180 ZAR per year, pre-tax.)
Ophthalmic photographer (92,670 ZAR per year, pre-tax.)
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This website offers salary insights for educational purposes exclusively.
The salary figures on this website are meant for informational purposes exclusively. We compile salary data from multiple providers, but do not guarantee complete precision. Users should on their own verify salaries before making financial decisions. Salary variations occur due to industry standards, demand shifts, and location. We deny any guarantee regarding the validity of the listed salary data. By accessing this site, you acknowledge that salary data is not definitive.
The salary estimates on this website are meant for reference use only. We compile salary data from varied providers, but cannot guarantee complete precision. Users must independently confirm salaries before making financial commitments. Salary variations occur due to industry standards, demand shifts, and location. We deny any warranty regarding the validity of the provided salary data. By accessing this site, you agree that salary data is not definitive.