Librarians and Media Collections Specialist Salary in 2026
How Much Do Librarians and Media Collections Specialists Make?
Librarians and Media Collections Specialists earn a median annual salary of $64,320 as of 2026, based on BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) data. Wages span from $38,920 at the 10th percentile to $100,880 at the 90th percentile — a range of $61,960. The highest-paying state is Washington at $94,400.
| Percentile | Annual salary |
|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $38,920 |
| 25th percentile | $50,920 |
| Median (50th) | $64,320 |
| 75th percentile | $80,640 |
| 90th percentile | $100,880 |
Librarians and Media Collections Specialist Salary by State
Median annual salary across all 50 states. Click a column to sort.
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Washingtontop | $94,400 |
| District of Columbia | $93,740 |
| California | $86,590 |
| Maryland | $81,690 |
| Nevada | $79,710 |
| New Jersey | $79,380 |
| Delaware | $78,300 |
| Alaska | $78,280 |
| New York | $77,080 |
| Connecticut | $76,380 |
| Massachusetts | $75,790 |
| Oregon | $75,360 |
| Minnesota | $75,260 |
| Virginia | $74,320 |
| Georgia | $73,500 |
| Rhode Island | $72,820 |
| Colorado | $64,980 |
| Texas | $64,910 |
| Wisconsin | $63,610 |
| Kentucky | $63,460 |
| Hawaii | $62,880 |
| Illinois | $62,360 |
| Alabama | $62,240 |
| Montana | $62,020 |
| Nebraska | $61,990 |
| North Dakota | $61,540 |
| New Hampshire | $61,350 |
| New Mexico | $60,560 |
| Vermont | $60,230 |
| Pennsylvania | $60,120 |
| South Carolina | $60,050 |
| Florida | $59,890 |
| North Carolina | $59,860 |
| Tennessee | $59,710 |
| Kansas | $59,580 |
| Michigan | $59,520 |
| Louisiana | $59,090 |
| Arizona | $58,760 |
| Ohio | $57,130 |
| Arkansas | $56,770 |
| Maine | $56,520 |
| Missouri | $53,600 |
| Oklahoma | $53,340 |
| Iowa | $52,780 |
| Mississippi | $50,320 |
| Utah | $49,760 |
| South Dakota | $49,290 |
| Indiana | $48,880 |
| West Virginia | $48,640 |
| Wyoming | $48,290 |
| Idaho | $46,570 |
Highest-Paying Metros for Librarians and Media Collections Specialists
Librarians and Media Collections Specialist Salary by Experience
Estimated salary ranges derived from BLS wage percentiles. Entry level corresponds to P10–P25, mid-career to the median, experienced to P75, and senior to P90+.
| Experience level | Estimated salary |
|---|---|
| Entry level (0–2 yrs) | ~$38,920 – $50,920 |
| Mid career (3–7 yrs) | ~$64,320 |
| Experienced (8–15 yrs) | ~$80,640 |
| Senior (15+ yrs) | $100,880+ |
How to Earn More as a Librarians and Media Collections Specialist
Location is the single biggest salary lever: Librarians and Media Collections Specialists in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA earn $100,810 — $36,490 above the national median. An advanced credential — such as a graduate degree or specialized certification — is consistently associated with higher earnings in this field. Reaching the 75th percentile ($80,640) typically requires 5–10 years of experience plus specialization in a high-demand area.
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Librarians and Media Collections Specialist Salary vs Similar Careers
| Career | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Librarians and Media Collections Specialistthis career | $64,320 |
| Administrative Services Manager | $108,390 |
| Education Administrator | $103,960 |
| Management Analyst | $101,190 |
| Computer User Support Specialist | $60,340 |
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SOC: 25-4022.00 · Data: BLS OEWS 2026, O*NET 29.1 · Salary figures are national medians unless otherwise noted.