Librarians and Media Collections Specialists Salary in Washington (2026)

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

Official BLS state wage data · Unknown vintage
Washington Median
$100,030
per year
Hourly Rate
$48.09
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+47% vs US median
US median $68,270
State Rank
#1 of 51
2,750 employed here

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

Librarians and Media Collections Specialists in Washington take home a median of $100,030 annually — roughly $48.09 an hour — which runs 47% above the national median of $68,270.

Within Washington, entry-level pay starts around $64,440 while the top 10% make $129,690 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $80,690 and $118,540 a year.

Librarians and Media Collections Specialists salary range in Washington

Pay levelAnnual salaryHourly rate
10th percentile (entry level)$64,440$30.98
25th percentile (early career)$80,690$38.79
50th percentile (median)$100,030$48.09
75th percentile (experienced)$118,540$56.99
90th percentile (top earners)$129,690$62.35

How Washington compares

Washington ranks 1st 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 Washington

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 Washington pay ($100,030) 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 Washington?
The median Librarians and Media Collections Specialists salary in Washington is $100,030 per year, or about $48.09 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $64,440 at the entry level to $129,690 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Washington pay compare to the national average?
Washington pays Librarians and Media Collections Specialists about 47% more than the national median of $68,270. Washington ranks 1st out of 51 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Washington a good state for Librarians and Media Collections Specialists?
Yes on pay — Washington pays above the national median for this occupation, at $100,030 a year. About 2,750 Librarians and Media Collections Specialists are employed in Washington. Weigh that against local housing and living costs before moving.
What are the highest-paying jobs in Washington?
The highest-paying occupations in Washington include Cardiologist ($656,330), Orthopedic Surgeon, Except Pediatric ($553,310), Dermatologist ($526,170), 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.