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.
Librarians and Media Collections Specialists
SOC: 25-4022 O*NET: 25-4022.00
Median Salary
$68,270
per year
Job Growth
➡️ 2.6%
Average (2024-2034)
Annual Openings
12.6
projected jobs/year
Education Level
Bachelor's degree plus work experience, or graduate degree
Job Zone 5
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.
What does a Librarians and Media Collections Specialists do?
How much can you earn?
Entry Level
$43,660
10th percentile
Early Career
$56,310
25th percentile
Median
$68,270
50th percentile
Experienced
$84,480
75th percentile
Top Earners
$103,990
90th percentile
National Salary Distribution
10th
$43,660
25th
$56,310
Middle 50%
MEDIAN
$68,270
Mean: $72,840
75th
$84,480
90th
$103,990
Middle 50% of earners
Median salary
Mean (average)
Key Insights
- •Salary range spans $60,330 from entry level to top earners
- •Middle 50% earn between $56,310 and $84,480
- •Salary spread is 41.3% around the median, showing high variation
- •Total national employment: 133,790 professionals
What's the job outlook?
Job Market Intelligence
Medium Demand
Market demand
Medium Risk
Automation risk
Current Employment
National Employment:142,300
Top Industries
Educational Services10%
Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools6.5%
Information5.6%
10-Year Outlook
Growth Rate:+2.6%
Annual Openings:12,600
Employment Projections
2025 (Current)142,300
Current
2035 (Projected)145,900
+2.6%
+3,600
Employment Change
+2.6%
Growth Rate
10
Year Projection
Growth Category: As fast as average
Geographic Salary & Employment Data
Explore where Librarians and Media Collections Specialists professionals work across the United States
Showing 15 of 50 locations
New York
11,870 jobs$78,5901.42x
California
10,180 jobs$89,7900.65x
Texas
9,150 jobs$71,8600.76x
Florida
6,670 jobs$67,0600.78x
Illinois
5,390 jobs$62,7001.03x
Pennsylvania
5,050 jobs$62,8800.97x
Massachusetts
4,980 jobs$78,5401.59x
Ohio
4,820 jobs$60,6301.01x
Virginia
4,590 jobs$77,4301.30x
New Jersey
4,100 jobs$78,3801.11x
North Carolina
4,010 jobs$61,4200.94x
Michigan
3,940 jobs$60,0101.04x
Georgia
3,330 jobs$76,7500.79x
Maryland
3,220 jobs$88,5701.35x
Missouri
2,970 jobs$58,7001.17x
Understanding the Data
Location Quotient (LQ):
- • LQ > 1.0: More jobs than national average
- • LQ = 1.0: Same as national average
- • LQ < 1.0: Fewer jobs than national average
Data Source:
Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025
Key Growth Factors
- •Average growth expected
What skills do you need?
Top 10 Most Important Skills
#1
Active Listening
100%
#2
Customer and Personal Service
100%
#3
Oral Expression
100%
#4
Speaking
94%
#5
Written Comprehension
92%
#6
English Language
90%
#7
Reading Comprehension
86%
#8
Oral Comprehension
82%
#9
Computers and Electronics
80%
#10
Critical Thinking
80%
Skills Overview
Active Listening
advanced5.0
100%
Customer and Personal Service
advanced5.0
100%
Oral Expression
advanced5.0
100%
Speaking
advanced4.7
94%
Written Comprehension
advanced4.6
92%
English Language
advanced4.5
90%
Reading Comprehension
basic4.3
86%
Oral Comprehension
intermediate4.1
82%
Skills are rated on a scale of 0-5, with 5 being the most important. The complexity level indicates how advanced the skill typically needs to be.
Filter:
Sort by:
Active Listening
advancedImportance100%
skills
5.0/5.0
Customer and Personal Service
advancedImportance100%
knowledge
5.0/5.0
Oral Expression
advancedImportance100%
abilities
5.0/5.0
Speaking
advancedImportance94%
skills
4.7/5.0
Written Comprehension
advancedImportance92%
abilities
4.6/5.0
English Language
advancedImportance90%
knowledge
4.5/5.0
Reading Comprehension
basicImportance86%
abilities
4.3/5.0
Oral Comprehension
intermediateImportance82%
abilities
4.1/5.0
Computers and Electronics
intermediateImportance80%
knowledge
4.0/5.0
Critical Thinking
intermediateImportance80%
abilities
4.0/5.0
Writing
intermediateImportance74%
skills
3.7/5.0
Written Expression
intermediateImportance74%
abilities
3.7/5.0
Highly Transferable Skills
These skills are valuable across multiple career paths, making career transitions easier:
Dental Assistants100%
5 shared skills
Adult Basic Education, Adult Secondary Education, and English as a Second Language Instructors82%
5 shared skills
Athletic Trainers82%
5 shared skills
Career/Technical Education Teachers, Middle School82%
5 shared skills
Career/Technical Education Teachers, Postsecondary82%
5 shared skills
Dietetic Technicians82%
5 shared skills
Skills by Career Stage
Entry Level
Must Have:
- ✓Active Listening
- ✓Speaking
- ✓Customer and Personal Service
- ✓English Language
- ✓Computers and Electronics
Learn on the Job:
- →Service Orientation
- →Monitoring
- →Social Perceptiveness
Mid Career
Expected:
- ✓Active Listening
- ✓Speaking
- ✓Customer and Personal Service
- ✓English Language
- ✓Computers and Electronics
Senior Level
Mastery Required:
- ★Active Listening
- ★Speaking
- ★Customer and Personal Service
- ★English Language
- ★Computers and Electronics
Skill Development Tips
- •Focus on developing the top 5 skills first - they have the highest impact on career success
- •Transferable skills open doors to related careers and provide flexibility
- •Balance technical skills with soft skills for well-rounded professional development
- •Entry-level positions prioritize foundational skills that can be built upon over time
What technology will you use?
Technology & Digital Skills
Essential technology proficiencies for Librarians and Media Collections Specialists
Technology Intensity
Very High
Digital Literacy Requirements
This career requires expert digital literacy
1
Basic
2
Intermediate
3
Advanced
4
Expert
Key Digital Competencies:
Advanced software proficiencySystem architecture understandingAutomation and scriptingEmerging technology adaptationTechnical problem-solving
🔥
Hot Technologies in Demand
These technologies are currently trending and highly sought after in this field
Autodesk AutoCAD
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Access
🔥 Hot TechStructured query language SQL
🔥 Hot TechAdobe InDesign
🔥 Hot TechAdobe Acrobat
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft SharePoint
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Outlook
🔥 Hot TechExtensible markup language XML
🔥 Hot TechAdobe Creative Cloud software
🔥 Hot TechAdobe Illustrator
🔥 Hot TechAdobe Photoshop
🔥 Hot TechOracle Java
🔥 Hot TechTechnology Stack
Technology Stack Overview
Key technologies used in this career
Autodesk AutoCAD
Microsoft Access
Structured query language SQL
Adobe InDesign
Adobe Acrobat
Microsoft SharePoint
Microsoft Outlook
Extensible markup language XML
Adobe Creative Cloud software
Adobe Illustrator
Adobe Photoshop
Oracle Java
📚 Technology Learning Resources
Recommended Certifications
- •Vendor-specific software certifications
- •Industry-recognized technology credentials
- •Professional development courses
Online Learning Platforms
- •LinkedIn Learning - Comprehensive technology courses
- •Coursera - University-level programs
- •Udemy - Practical skills training
💡 Technology Skill Development Tips
- •Focus on mastering hot technologies first - they're currently most in-demand
- •Build a portfolio demonstrating your proficiency with key tools and software
- •Stay current through continuous learning - technology evolves rapidly
- •Consider vendor certifications to validate your skills to employers
What's the work environment like?
🏢
Location
MOSTLY INDOOR
💪
Physical Demand
MODERATE
👥
Team Orientation
MOSTLY TEAM
🤝
Customer Interaction
FREQUENT
💡Is This Work Environment Right for You?
Consider these factors when evaluating if you'll thrive in this work environment:
- •Are you comfortable working in mostly indoor environments?
- •Can you meet moderate physical demands?
- •Do you enjoy mostly team team environments?
- •Are you comfortable working with safety protocols and protective equipment?
What are the key tasks?
Tasks & Responsibilities
21
Core Tasks
8
Daily Tasks
20
Work Activities
0
Emerging Tasks
Filter:
Sort by:
General Responsibilities (9)Training & Development (1)Analysis & Evaluation (3)Documentation & Record-Keeping (1)Planning & Development (6)Management & Supervision (1)
1
Check books in and out of the library.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities100% perform100%
2
Teach library patrons basic computer skills, such as searching computerized databases.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Training & Development97% perform98%
3
Review and evaluate materials, using book reviews, catalogs, faculty recommendations, and current holdings to select and order print, audio-visual, and electronic resources.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Analysis & Evaluation94% perform96%
4
Keep up-to-date records of circulation and materials, maintain inventory, and correct cataloging errors.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Documentation & Record-Keeping91% perform94%
5
Search standard reference materials, including online sources and the Internet, to answer patrons' reference questions.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities88% perform92%
6
Analyze patrons' requests to determine needed information and assist in furnishing or locating that information.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Analysis & Evaluation85% perform90%
7
Supervise daily library operations, budgeting, planning, and personnel activities, such as hiring, training, scheduling, and performance evaluations.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Planning & Development82% perform88%
8
Plan and teach classes on topics such as information literacy, library instruction, and technology use.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Planning & Development79% perform86%
9
Confer with colleagues, faculty, and community members and organizations to conduct informational programs, make collection decisions, and determine library services to offer.
🟡Weekly
Importance:
General Responsibilities76% perform84%
10
Code, classify, and catalog books, publications, films, audio-visual aids, and other library materials, based on subject matter or standard library classification systems.
🟡Weekly
Importance:
General Responsibilities73% perform82%
💡 Key Takeaways
- •Daily tasks focus primarily on general responsibilities activities
- •33% of tasks are performed by most workers in this occupation
- •Career advancement brings increased leadership and strategic responsibilities
What career paths are available?
Career Pathways
0
Advancement Opportunities
0
Lateral Move Options
0%
Avg. Salary Increase
Advancement Opportunities
Typical career progression paths from Librarians and Media Collections Specialists
💡 Career Planning Tips
- •Most successful advancement happens after 3-5 years of experience
- •Lateral moves can provide valuable cross-functional experience for future leadership roles
- •Focus on developing skills that are transferable across multiple career paths
- •Consider industry trends when planning long-term career moves
Is this career right for you?
Personality & Values Fit
Is This Career Right for You?
Librarians and Media Collections Specialists professionals typically have a CSI Holland code and highly value relationships
CConventional
SSocial
IInvestigative
Important Personality Traits
Work styles that contribute to success as a Librarians and Media Collections Specialists
Cooperation
CriticalCooperation
Importance Level4.54
Integrity
CriticalIntegrity
Importance Level4.53
Dependability
CriticalDependability
Importance Level4.53
Adaptability/Flexibility
Very ImportantAdaptability/Flexibility
Importance Level4.48
Initiative
Very ImportantInitiative
Importance Level4.43
Concern for Others
Very ImportantConcern for Others
Importance Level4.37
Complete Work Styles Profile
Cooperation
4.5
Integrity
4.5
Dependability
4.5
Adaptability/Flexibility
4.5
Initiative
4.4
Concern for Others
4.4
Independence
4.3
Self-Control
4.3
Attention to Detail
4.3
Achievement/Effort
4.2
💡 Tips for Career Fit Success
- •While personality fit is important, skills can be developed with practice and training
- •Consider informational interviews to better understand the day-to-day personality requirements
- •Work environments vary by employer - research specific companies for cultural fit
- •Your interests and values may evolve - reassess periodically throughout your career
What education is required?
Education Level
Bachelor's degree plus work experience, or graduate degree
Typical duration: 4 years
Preparation Level
Job Zone 5
Extensive Preparation Needed
Experience Needed
Extensive skill, knowledge, and experience needed
📚 Education Requirement
Required Level:Bachelor's degree plus work experience, or graduate degree
Most of these occupations require graduate school. These may include master's, doctoral, or professional degrees.
Training:
Extensive training and work experience required
💼 Experience Requirement
Extensive skill, knowledge, and experience needed
Common pathways to gain experience:
- • Master's or doctoral degree
- • Extensive work experience in the field
- • State licensure or professional certification
5
Job Zone Five: Extensive Preparation Needed
Most of these occupations require graduate school. These may include master's, doctoral, or professional degrees.
Master's or doctoral degreeExtensive work experience in the fieldState licensure or professional certification
Ready to Start Your Journey?
Explore educational programs that can help you become a Librarians and Media Collections Specialists.
Browse Training Programs →Trade Colleges That Train for Librarians and Media Collections Specialists
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256 program completions/year
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Fresno, CA
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