Librarians and Media Collections Specialists

Job Zone 5 - Extensive preparation needed

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.

Pay & job outlook

Median pay: $68,270/yr (U.S. national, May 2025)

$43,660$103,990

Typical range nationwide (10th–90th percentile). This is a population snapshot, not a personal prediction - actual pay varies by location, employer, and experience.

Job outlook: +1.7% projected growth, 2024–2034 — about as fast as average.

About 13,500 openings per year, on average, over the decade.

Typical entry-level education: Master's degree.

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS and Employment Projections.

Top skills

Reading ComprehensionSpeakingActive ListeningCritical ThinkingWritingMonitoringService OrientationSocial PerceptivenessActive LearningInstructing

Top knowledge areas

Customer and Personal ServiceEnglish LanguageComputers and ElectronicsEducation and TrainingAdministrativeCommunications and MediaAdministration and ManagementPsychology

Core tasks

• Check books in and out of the library.

• Teach library patrons basic computer skills, such as searching computerized databases.

• Review and evaluate materials, using book reviews, catalogs, faculty recommendations, and current holdings to select and order print, audio-visual, and electronic resources.

• Search standard reference materials, including online sources and the Internet, to answer patrons' reference questions.

• Keep up-to-date records of circulation and materials, maintain inventory, and correct cataloging errors.

• Analyze patrons' requests to determine needed information and assist in furnishing or locating that information.

• Supervise daily library operations, budgeting, planning, and personnel activities, such as hiring, training, scheduling, and performance evaluations.

• Plan and teach classes on topics such as information literacy, library instruction, and technology use.

Frequently asked questions

What's the median pay for Librarians and Media Collections Specialists?

The median pay for Librarians and Media Collections Specialists is $68,270 per year, per the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

What's the job outlook for Librarians and Media Collections Specialists?

Employment for Librarians and Media Collections Specialists is projected to change +1.7% from 2024 to 2034 - about as fast as average.

What education is typically required for Librarians and Media Collections Specialists?

Typical entry-level education: Master's degree.

How many job openings are there each year for Librarians and Media Collections Specialists?

About 13,500 openings per year, on average, over the decade.