Illinois Median
$62,700
per year
Hourly Rate
$30.14
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-8% vs US median
US median $68,270
State Rank
#29 of 51
5,390 employed here
How much do Librarians and Media Collections Specialists make in Illinois?
Librarians and Media Collections Specialists in Illinois take home a median of $62,700 annually — roughly $30.14 an hour — which runs 8% below the national median of $68,270.
Within Illinois, entry-level pay starts around $38,650 while the top 10% make $103,540 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $49,720 and $80,690 a year.
Librarians and Media Collections Specialists salary range in Illinois
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $38,650 | $18.58 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $49,720 | $23.90 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $62,700 | $30.14 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $80,690 | $38.79 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $103,540 | $49.78 |
|
How Illinois compares
Illinois ranks 29th 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 $96,550California $89,790Maryland $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 $62,830South 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 Illinois
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 Illinois pay ($62,700) 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 Illinois?
The median Librarians and Media Collections Specialists salary in Illinois is $62,700 per year, or about $30.14 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $38,650 at the entry level to $103,540 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Illinois pay compare to the national average?
Illinois pays Librarians and Media Collections Specialists about 8% less than the national median of $68,270. Illinois ranks 29th out of 51 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Illinois a good state for Librarians and Media Collections Specialists?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $62,700 a year. About 5,390 Librarians and Media Collections Specialists are employed in Illinois. A lower cost of living can offset the smaller paycheck, so compare take-home value, not just salary.
What are the highest-paying jobs in Illinois?
The highest-paying occupations in Illinois include Cardiologist ($517,850), Surgeon, All Other ($438,010), Dermatologist ($435,750), 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.