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
$64,320
per year
Job Growth
➡️ 1.7%
Average (2024-2034)
Annual Openings
13.5
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
$38,920
10th percentile
Early Career
$50,920
25th percentile
Median
$64,320
50th percentile
Experienced
$80,640
75th percentile
Top Earners
$100,880
90th percentile
National Salary Distribution
10th
$38,920
25th
$50,920
Middle 50%
MEDIAN
$64,320
Mean: $69,180
75th
$80,640
90th
$100,880
Middle 50% of earners
Median salary
Mean (average)
Key Insights
- •Salary range spans $61,960 from entry level to top earners
- •Middle 50% earn between $50,920 and $80,640
- •Salary spread is 46.2% around the median, showing high variation
- •Total national employment: 131,830 professionals
What's the job outlook?
Job Market Intelligence
Medium Demand
Market demand
Medium Risk
Automation risk
Current Employment
National Employment:142,100
Top Industries
Educational Services10.5%
Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools7%
Information5.6%
10-Year Outlook
Growth Rate:+1.7%
Annual Openings:13,500
Employment Projections
2024 (Current)142,100
Current
2034 (Projected)144,500
+1.7%
+2,400
Employment Change
+1.7%
Growth Rate
10
Year Projection
Growth Category: More slowly than 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
11,020 jobs$77,0801.35x
California
10,030 jobs$86,5900.65x
Texas
9,430 jobs$64,9100.80x
Florida
5,960 jobs$59,8900.71x
Pennsylvania
5,420 jobs$60,1201.05x
Massachusetts
5,120 jobs$75,7901.64x
Ohio
4,770 jobs$57,1301.01x
Virginia
4,750 jobs$74,3201.37x
Illinois
4,610 jobs$62,3600.89x
North Carolina
3,990 jobs$59,8600.95x
New Jersey
3,510 jobs$79,3800.97x
Georgia
3,450 jobs$73,5000.83x
Michigan
3,430 jobs$59,5200.91x
Maryland
3,270 jobs$81,6901.39x
Alabama
3,260 jobs$62,2401.82x
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 2024
Key Growth Factors
Standard growth expectations for this occupation
What skills do you need?
Top 10 Most Important Skills
#1
Active Listening
100%
#2
Speaking
94%
#3
Reading Comprehension
86%
#4
Critical Thinking
80%
#5
Writing
74%
#6
Service Orientation
66%
#7
Monitoring
60%
#8
Social Perceptiveness
54%
#9
Active Learning
46%
#10
Instructing
40%
Skills Overview
Active Listening
advanced5.0
100%
Speaking
advanced4.7
94%
Reading Comprehension
basic4.3
86%
Critical Thinking
intermediate4.0
80%
Writing
intermediate3.7
74%
Service Orientation
intermediate3.3
66%
Monitoring
intermediate3.0
60%
Social Perceptiveness
basic2.7
54%
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
Speaking
advancedImportance94%
skills
4.7/5.0
Reading Comprehension
basicImportance86%
abilities
4.3/5.0
Critical Thinking
intermediateImportance80%
abilities
4.0/5.0
Writing
intermediateImportance74%
skills
3.7/5.0
Service Orientation
intermediateImportance66%
skills
3.3/5.0
Monitoring
intermediateImportance60%
skills
3.0/5.0
Social Perceptiveness
basicImportance54%
skills
2.7/5.0
Active Learning
basicImportance46%
abilities
2.3/5.0
Instructing
basicImportance40%
skills
2.0/5.0
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
Learn on the Job:
- →Service Orientation
- →Monitoring
- →Social Perceptiveness
Mid Career
Expected:
- ✓Active Listening
- ✓Speaking
- ✓Reading Comprehension
- ✓Critical Thinking
Senior Level
Mastery Required:
- ★Active Listening
- ★Speaking
- ★Reading Comprehension
- ★Critical Thinking
- ★Writing
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
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