California Median
$89,790
per year
Hourly Rate
$43.17
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+32% vs US median
US median $68,270
State Rank
#3 of 51
10,180 employed here
How much do Librarians and Media Collections Specialists make in California?
Librarians and Media Collections Specialists working in California earn a median salary of $89,790 per year, or about $43.17 per hour. That is 32% above the national median of $68,270 for this occupation.
Within California, entry-level pay starts around $50,750 while the top 10% make $132,870 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $66,540 and $108,800 a year.
Librarians and Media Collections Specialists salary range in California
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $50,750 | $24.40 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $66,540 | $31.99 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $89,790 | $43.17 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $108,800 | $52.31 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $132,870 | $63.88 |
|
How California compares
California ranks 3rd out of 51 states and territories for Librarians and Media Collections Specialists pay. The top 5 best-paying states:
Librarians and Media Collections Specialists salary in other states
Washington $100,030District of Columbia $96,550Maryland $88,570Nevada $84,540Connecticut $79,210Alaska $78,810New York $78,590Massachusetts $78,540New Jersey $78,380Oregon $78,070Delaware $77,700Minnesota $77,650Virginia $77,430Georgia $76,750Colorado $76,480Rhode Island $75,860Texas $71,860Hawaii $68,270Florida $67,060Wisconsin $66,870Kentucky $65,200Alabama $64,650Nebraska $64,060Montana $63,870New Hampshire $63,580Pennsylvania $62,880North Dakota $62,830Illinois $62,700South Carolina $62,640New Mexico $62,530Vermont $62,360Tennessee $62,090Kansas $61,900North Carolina $61,420Louisiana $60,650Ohio $60,630Arizona $60,500Michigan $60,010Maine $59,540Missouri $58,700Iowa $58,440Oklahoma $58,180Mississippi $56,970Arkansas $56,800Idaho $54,130Utah $53,730Indiana $53,500South Dakota $51,210Wyoming $46,530West Virginia $42,980
Working as Librarians and Media Collections Specialists in California
Nationally, about 134,000 people work as Librarians and Media Collections Specialists in the United States. A bachelor's degree (about 4 years of college) is the standard entry requirement.
Considering a move? Compare California pay ($89,790) against the highest-paying state above, and weigh the difference against housing and everyday costs — a smaller paycheck in a cheaper state can stretch further.
Frequently asked questions
How much do Librarians and Media Collections Specialists make in California?
The median Librarians and Media Collections Specialists salary in California is $89,790 per year, or about $43.17 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $50,750 at the entry level to $132,870 for the top 10% of earners.
How does California pay compare to the national average?
California pays Librarians and Media Collections Specialists about 32% more than the national median of $68,270. California ranks 3rd out of 51 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is California a good state for Librarians and Media Collections Specialists?
Yes on pay — California pays above the national median for this occupation, at $89,790 a year. About 10,180 Librarians and Media Collections Specialists are employed in California. Weigh that against local housing and living costs before moving.
What are the highest-paying jobs in California?
The highest-paying occupations in California include Ophthalmologist, Except Pediatric ($400,150), Neurologist ($357,080), Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers ($353,900), based on median annual pay in official BLS state estimates.
← See the national Librarians and Media Collections Specialists salary report
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Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), Unknown vintage. Education requirements: O*NET (U.S. Department of Labor). State figures are official BLS state-level wage estimates. Where BLS suppresses a state percentile, it is scaled from the official national distribution. Individual pay varies by employer, metro area, and experience.