How much do Librarians and Media Collections Specialists make?
The median pay for Librarians and Media Collections Specialists in the United States is $68,270 per year — about $32.82 per hour. Entry-level positions start near $43,660, while the most experienced professionals in the top 10% earn $103,990.
That is $6,880 more than the median across all occupations in BLS data ($61,390).
Librarians and Media Collections Specialists salary range by percentile
Half of all Librarians and Media Collections Specialists earn between $56,310 and $84,480 a year.
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $43,660 | $20.99 | |
| 25th percentile (early career) | $56,310 | $27.07 | |
| 50th percentile (median) | $68,270 | $32.82 | |
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $84,480 | $40.62 | |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $103,990 | $50.00 |
Highest-paying states for Librarians and Media Collections Specialists
Where you work matters more than almost anything else. Washington leads the country for Librarians and Media Collections Specialists pay at $100,030 a year, followed by District of Columbia ($96,550) and California ($89,790). At the other end, West Virginia posts the lowest median at $42,980 — a gap of $57,050 for the same job, driven by local demand, industry mix, and cost of living.
| # | State | Median salary | Hourly | vs national |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Washington | $100,030 | $48.09 | +47% |
| 2 | District of Columbia | $96,550 | $46.42 | +41% |
| 3 | California | $89,790 | $43.17 | +32% |
| 4 | Maryland | $88,570 | $42.58 | +30% |
| 5 | Nevada | $84,540 | $40.64 | +24% |
Librarians and Media Collections Specialists salary in every state
Official BLS state-level figures across 51 states and territories. Click a state for the full local breakdown.
Workforce and education
About 134,000 people work as Librarians and Media Collections Specialists in the United States. The mean (average) wage is $72,840 — above the median, which means high earners pull the average up. On qualifications: a bachelor's degree (about 4 years of college) is the standard entry requirement, per O*NET occupation data.
Frequently asked questions
How much do Librarians and Media Collections Specialists make in the United States?
How does Librarians and Media Collections Specialists pay compare to other jobs?
Which state pays Librarians and Media Collections Specialists the most?
What education do Librarians and Media Collections Specialists need?
How many Librarians and Media Collections Specialists work in the United States?
Related salaries
Other education roles with similar pay.