Librarians and Media Collections Specialists Salary in Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA
Librarians and Media Collections Specialists in Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA make a median of $98,670 a year, or about $47.44 an hour. The range runs from $61K at the entry level to $155K for experienced workers. Prices run high here (RPP 108.8), so that salary is closer to $90,689 in real purchasing power. A 2-bedroom apartment runs $3,124/month — about 50.4% of take-home, which is tight.
AffordMap analysis of BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (latest release, May 2024)
So what does $99K get you in Santa Maria-Santa Barbara?
About librarians and media collections specialists
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA
Entry-level librarians and media collections specialists (10th percentile) start around $61K. Mid-career wages sit at $99K.Top earners bring in $155K or more - a $95K 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 Santa Maria-Santa Barbara numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
How much do librarians and media collections specialists make in Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA?
The median is $98,670 a year - that works out to about $47.44 an hour. The range is wide: entry-level workers start around $60,890, and experienced librarians and media collections specialists can clear $155,410. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $99K enough to live in Santa Maria-Santa Barbara?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $6,041/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $3,124/month (HUD Fair Market Rent), which eats 51.7% 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 Santa Maria-Santa Barbara?
Santa Maria-Santa Barbara has a Regional Price Parity of 108.8 (100 is the national average). Prices are above average here, so your dollar buys less than the same salary would in a cheaper metro. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median librarians and media collections specialists salary is worth about $90,689 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.