Librarians and Media Collections Specialists Salary in Kentucky (2026)

Official state-level BLS pay data for Librarians and Media Collections Specialists in Kentucky, plus how it compares with the rest of the country.

Official BLS state wage data · Unknown vintage
Kentucky Median
$65,200
per year
Hourly Rate
$31.35
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-4% vs US median
US median $68,270
State Rank
#22 of 51
1,980 employed here

How much do Librarians and Media Collections Specialists make in Kentucky?

Librarians and Media Collections Specialists working in Kentucky earn a median salary of $65,200 per year, or about $31.35 per hour. That is 4% below the national median of $68,270 for this occupation.

Within Kentucky, entry-level pay starts around $45,950 while the top 10% make $85,190 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $54,020 and $76,840 a year.

Librarians and Media Collections Specialists salary range in Kentucky

Pay levelAnnual salaryHourly rate
10th percentile (entry level)$45,950$22.09
25th percentile (early career)$54,020$25.97
50th percentile (median)$65,200$31.35
75th percentile (experienced)$76,840$36.94
90th percentile (top earners)$85,190$40.96

How Kentucky compares

Kentucky ranks 22nd out of 51 states and territories for Librarians and Media Collections Specialists pay. The top 5 best-paying states:

RankStateMedian salary
1Washington$100,030
2District of Columbia$96,550
3California$89,790
4Maryland$88,570
5Nevada$84,540

Working as Librarians and Media Collections Specialists in Kentucky

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 Kentucky pay ($65,200) 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 Kentucky?
The median Librarians and Media Collections Specialists salary in Kentucky is $65,200 per year, or about $31.35 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $45,950 at the entry level to $85,190 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Kentucky pay compare to the national average?
Kentucky pays Librarians and Media Collections Specialists about 4% less than the national median of $68,270. Kentucky ranks 22nd out of 51 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Kentucky a good state for Librarians and Media Collections Specialists?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $65,200 a year. About 1,980 Librarians and Media Collections Specialists are employed in Kentucky. 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 Kentucky?
The highest-paying occupations in Kentucky include Cardiologist ($558,180), Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers ($350,950), Anesthesiologist ($347,960), based on median annual pay in official BLS state estimates.

← See the national Librarians and Media Collections Specialists salary report

Related salaries

Self-Enrichment Teacher

$46,800
median pay · 332,000 employed

Philosophy and Religion Teachers, Postsecondary

$80,260
median pay · 20,000 employed

Environmental Science Teacher, Postsecondary

$94,980
median pay · 7,000 employed

Teaching Assistant, Postsecondary

$42,910
median pay · 164,000 employed

Career/Technical Education Teacher, Secondary School

$66,270
median pay · 111,000 employed

Library Technician

$44,580
median pay · 69,000 employed
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.