Librarians and Media Collections Specialists Salary in the United States
The median annual wage for librarians and media collections specialists in the U.S. is $68,270 ($32.82 per hour), according to the BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics program, May 2025 estimates.
- Median annual wage
- $68,270
- Mean annual wage
- $72,840
- Median hourly wage
- $32.82
- Employment
- 133,790
133,790 employed
Wage percentiles
| Percentile | Annual wage | Hourly wage |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $43,660 | $20.99 |
| 25th percentile | $56,310 | $27.07 |
| Median (50th) | $68,270 | $32.82 |
| 75th percentile | $84,480 | $40.62 |
| 90th percentile | $103,990 | $50.00 |
Highest-paying states for librarians and media collections specialists
| State | Median annual wage | Employment |
|---|---|---|
| Washington | $100,030 | 2,750 |
| District of Columbia | $96,550 | 960 |
| California | $89,790 | 10,180 |
| Maryland | $88,570 | 3,220 |
| Nevada | $84,540 | 610 |
| Connecticut | $79,210 | 2,550 |
| Alaska | $78,810 | 350 |
| New York | $78,590 | 11,870 |
| Massachusetts | $78,540 | 4,980 |
| New Jersey | $78,380 | 4,100 |
Lowest-paying states
- West Virginia: $42,980 median annual wage
- Wyoming: $46,530 median annual wage
- South Dakota: $51,210 median annual wage
- Indiana: $53,500 median annual wage
- Utah: $53,730 median annual wage
About this occupation
Administer and maintain libraries or collections of information, for public or private access through reference or borrowing. Work in a variety of settings, such as educational institutions, museums, and corporations, and with various types of informational materials, such as books, periodicals, recordings, films, and databases. Tasks may include acquiring, cataloging, and circulating library materials, and user services such as locating and organizing information, providing instruction on how to access information, and setting up and operating a library's media equipment.
Typical tasks
- Evaluate vendor products and performance, negotiate contracts, and place orders.
- Maintain inventory of audio-visual equipment.
- Assemble and arrange display materials.
- Set up, adjust, and operate audio-visual equipment, such as cameras, film and slide projectors, and recording equipment, for meetings, events, classes, seminars, and video conferences.
- Plan and deliver client-centered programs and services, such as special services for corporate clients, storytelling for children, newsletters, or programs for special groups.
- Troubleshoot problems with audio-visual equipment.
Education of the current workforce — typical entry: Master's degree
| Education level | Share of workers |
|---|---|
| Less than high school diploma | 0.8% |
| High school diploma or equivalent | 1.6% |
| Some college, no degree | 6.0% |
| Associate's degree | 5.0% |
| Bachelor's degree | 24.5% |
| Master's degree | 57.2% |
| Doctoral or professional degree | 5.0% |
Occupation profile data from CareerOneStop, sponsored by the U.S. Department of Labor.
Related occupations
- Teaching Assistants, Except Postsecondary$36,780
- Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education$63,970
- Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education$72,040
- Middle School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education$64,370
- Substitute Teachers, Short-Term$41,670
- Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education$38,140
- Self-Enrichment Teachers$46,800
- Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten and Elementary School$65,120
About this data
- Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics — data period May 2025, retrieved August 13, 2026.
- Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics — data period May 2025, retrieved August 13, 2026.
- CareerOneStop Occupation Profiles — data period 2026-08, retrieved August 14, 2026.
Figures are shown exactly as published by the source or derived by the documented formulas on our methodology page. Where a source suppresses an estimate, we show “—” rather than a substitute value.