Librarians and Media Collections Specialists Salary in Tennessee (2026)

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

Official BLS state wage data · Unknown vintage
Tennessee Median
$62,090
per year
Hourly Rate
$29.85
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-9% vs US median
US median $68,270
State Rank
#33 of 51
2,540 employed here

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

Librarians and Media Collections Specialists working in Tennessee earn a median salary of $62,090 per year, or about $29.85 per hour. That is 9% below the national median of $68,270 for this occupation.

Within Tennessee, entry-level pay starts around $36,860 while the top 10% make $80,140 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $51,330 and $74,130 a year.

Librarians and Media Collections Specialists salary range in Tennessee

Pay levelAnnual salaryHourly rate
10th percentile (entry level)$36,860$17.72
25th percentile (early career)$51,330$24.68
50th percentile (median)$62,090$29.85
75th percentile (experienced)$74,130$35.64
90th percentile (top earners)$80,140$38.53

How Tennessee compares

Tennessee ranks 33rd 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 Tennessee

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 Tennessee pay ($62,090) 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 Tennessee?
The median Librarians and Media Collections Specialists salary in Tennessee is $62,090 per year, or about $29.85 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $36,860 at the entry level to $80,140 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Tennessee pay compare to the national average?
Tennessee pays Librarians and Media Collections Specialists about 9% less than the national median of $68,270. Tennessee ranks 33rd out of 51 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Tennessee a good state for Librarians and Media Collections Specialists?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $62,090 a year. About 2,540 Librarians and Media Collections Specialists are employed in Tennessee. 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 Tennessee?
The highest-paying occupations in Tennessee include Cardiologist ($610,080), Dermatologist ($433,630), Surgeon, All Other ($373,510), 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.