Librarians and Media Collections Specialists Salary in California
Librarians and Media Collections Specialists in California make a median of $86,590 a year, or about $41.63 an hour. The range runs from $48K at the entry level to $131K for experienced workers.
AffordMap analysis of BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (latest release, May 2024)
So what does $87K get you in California?
About librarians and media collections specialists
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, California
Entry-level librarians and media collections specialists (10th percentile) start around $48K. Mid-career wages sit at $87K.Top earners bring in $131K or more - a $82K spread from bottom to top.
Librarians and Media Collections Specialists pay across states
Median income ranked highest to lowest, compared to the national figure
| State | Median salary | vs. national | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Washington | $94K | +47% | 2,830 |
| District of Columbia | $94K | +46% | 940 |
| California | $87K | +35% | 10,030 |
| Maryland | $82K | +27% | 3,270 |
| Nevada | $80K | +24% | 650 |
| New Jersey | $79K | +23% | 3,510 |
| Delaware | $78K | +22% | 330 |
| Alaska | $78K | +22% | 330 |
| New York | $77K | +20% | 11,020 |
| Connecticut | $76K | +19% | 2,430 |
| Massachusetts | $76K | +18% | 5,120 |
| Oregon | $75K | +17% | 1,650 |
| Minnesota | $75K | +17% | 2,290 |
| Virginia | $74K | +16% | 4,750 |
| Georgia | $74K | +14% | 3,450 |
Track librarians and media collections specialists salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when California numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
How much do librarians and media collections specialists make in California?
The median is $86,590 a year - that works out to about $41.63 an hour. The range is wide: entry-level workers start around $48,480, and experienced librarians and media collections specialists can clear $130,760. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $87K enough to live in California?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $5,426/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom in this state rents for about $2,201/month (median of metro areas), which eats 40.6% of your paycheck. That's above the 30% rule of thumb - housing will be a stretch at the median salary, though you can manage with roommates or a smaller place.
How far does a librarians and media collections specialists salary go in California?
California has a Regional Price Parity of 100 (100 is the national average). That's right at the national average. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median librarians and media collections specialists salary is worth about $86,590 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do librarians and media collections specialists get paid the most?
The table above ranks every state by median pay for this role. Keep in mind that the highest-paying states tend to have the highest costs of living, so the top salary doesn't always mean the most money in your pocket.