📊 BLS Official Data · May 2025 Release
Librarians and Media Collections Specialists Salary in the United States (2026)
Based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data · Updated 2026 · Medium Demand
Average
$71,330
per year
Median
$68,780
per year
Hourly
$34.29
per hour
Salary Range & Percentiles
Pay distribution across experience levels
10th Percentile — Entry Level$47,321
25th Percentile — Junior$58,845
50th Percentile — Median$68,780
75th Percentile — Senior$84,774
90th Percentile — Top Earners$93,895
💡 The top 10% of Librarians and Media Collections Specialistss earn $93,895 or more per year. Entry-level professionals can expect to start around $47,321, with significant growth over the first 5 years.
Salary Growth Trend (2021–2026)
Six-year compensation trajectory
$64.0k
2021
$65.4k
2022
$66.8k
2023
$68.3k
2024
$69.8k
2025
$71.3k
2026
📈 Librarians and Media Collections Specialists salaries have grown 2.2% year-over-year. Since 2020, the average salary has increased by approximately $7,354.
Salary by State
Geographic salary comparison
| State | Avg Salary | vs National | Demand |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hawaii | $110,562 | +55.0% | Medium |
| District of Columbia | $108,422 | +52.0% | Medium |
| California | $101,289 | +42.0% | Medium |
| New York | $98,435 | +38.0% | Medium |
| Alaska | $94,156 | +32.0% | Medium |
| Massachusetts | $92,729 | +30.0% | Medium |
| New Jersey | $91,302 | +28.0% | Medium |
| Washington | $89,162 | +25.0% | Medium |
| Connecticut | $87,023 | +22.0% | Medium |
| Maryland | $82,030 | +15.0% | Medium |
| Rhode Island | $82,030 | +15.0% | Medium |
| New Hampshire | $81,316 | +14.0% | Medium |
| Oregon | $79,890 | +12.0% | Medium |
| Colorado | $78,463 | +10.0% | Medium |
| Virginia | $78,463 | +10.0% | Medium |
| Vermont | $77,036 | +8.0% | Medium |
| Delaware | $74,896 | +5.0% | Medium |
| Illinois | $74,896 | +5.0% | Medium |
| Maine | $72,757 | +2.0% | Medium |
| Nevada | $72,757 | +2.0% | Medium |
| Minnesota | $71,330 | +0.0% | Medium |
| Utah | $71,330 | +0.0% | Medium |
| Arizona | $70,617 | -1.0% | Medium |
| Pennsylvania | $70,617 | -1.0% | Medium |
| Florida | $69,903 | -2.0% | Medium |
| Montana | $67,764 | -5.0% | Medium |
| Texas | $67,764 | -5.0% | Medium |
| Georgia | $66,337 | -7.0% | Medium |
| Idaho | $66,337 | -7.0% | Medium |
| Wyoming | $66,337 | -7.0% | Medium |
| North Dakota | $65,624 | -8.0% | Medium |
| Wisconsin | $65,624 | -8.0% | Medium |
| North Carolina | $64,910 | -9.0% | Medium |
| Michigan | $64,197 | -10.0% | Medium |
| Louisiana | $62,770 | -12.0% | Medium |
| Nebraska | $62,770 | -12.0% | Medium |
| New Mexico | $62,770 | -12.0% | Medium |
| Ohio | $62,770 | -12.0% | Medium |
| South Carolina | $62,770 | -12.0% | Medium |
| Tennessee | $62,770 | -12.0% | Medium |
| Alabama | $62,057 | -13.0% | Medium |
| Missouri | $62,057 | -13.0% | Medium |
| South Dakota | $62,057 | -13.0% | Medium |
| Iowa | $61,344 | -14.0% | Medium |
| Indiana | $60,630 | -15.0% | Medium |
| Kansas | $60,630 | -15.0% | Medium |
| Oklahoma | $59,917 | -16.0% | Medium |
| Arkansas | $59,204 | -17.0% | Medium |
| Kentucky | $59,204 | -17.0% | Medium |
| Mississippi | $57,064 | -20.0% | Medium |
| West Virginia | $55,637 | -22.0% | Medium |
What Factors Affect Librarians and Media Collections Specialists Salary?
Key factors affecting compensation
A Librarians and Media Collections Specialists's salary is influenced by several key factors including geographic location, years of experience, employer type, and educational background. States with higher costs of living — such as California, New York, and Washington — typically offer 20–40% higher salaries than the national average to compensate for living expenses.
Experience plays a major role in compensation. Entry-level Librarians and Media Collections Specialistss typically earn $47,321–$58,845 per year, while senior professionals with 10+ years of experience can command $84,774–$93,895 annually. Specialization and advanced certifications can further boost earning potential.
Employer size also matters. Large corporations and government agencies tend to offer more competitive packages including benefits, retirement plans, and bonuses. The Librarians and Media Collections Specialists role currently has medium demand in the job market with a 2.2% growth rate, making it one of the steadily growing careers in the Education sector.
🏛️ U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OES) · May 2025
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Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about this salary
-
What is the average salary for a Librarians and Media Collections Specialists?The average salary for a Librarians and Media Collections Specialists in the United States is $71,330 per year, with a median of $68,780.
-
What is the starting salary for a Librarians and Media Collections Specialists?Entry-level Librarians and Media Collections Specialistss typically earn between $47,321 and $58,845 per year depending on location and employer.
-
What state pays Librarians and Media Collections Specialistss the most?California, New York, and Washington typically pay Librarians and Media Collections Specialistss the highest salaries due to high cost of living and strong job markets.
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How much does a Librarians and Media Collections Specialists make per hour?Based on the average annual salary of $71,330, a Librarians and Media Collections Specialists earns approximately $34.29 per hour (based on 2,080 working hours/year).
-
Is Librarians and Media Collections Specialists a good career in 2026?Yes — the Librarians and Media Collections Specialists role has medium demand with 2.2% year-over-year salary growth, indicating a strong and growing career path.
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