Librarians and Media Collections Specialists Salary in U.S.
Librarians and Media Collections Specialists in U.S. make a median of $64,320 a year, or about $30.92 an hour. The range runs from $39K at the entry level to $101K for experienced workers.
AffordMap analysis of BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (latest release, May 2024)
So what does $64K get you in U.S.?
About librarians and media collections specialists
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, U.S.
Entry-level librarians and media collections specialists (10th percentile) start around $39K. Mid-career wages sit at $64K.Top earners bring in $101K or more - a $62K 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 U.S. numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
How much do librarians and media collections specialists make in U.S.?
The median is $64,320 a year - that works out to about $30.92 an hour. The range is wide: entry-level workers start around $38,920, and experienced librarians and media collections specialists can clear $100,880. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $64K enough to live in U.S.?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $4,470/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,412/month, which eats 31.6% 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 U.S.?
U.S. 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 $64,320 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.