Librarians and Media Collections Specialists salary in California
Librarians and Media Collections Specialists in California earn a median of $89,790 a year ($43.17 an hour), based on BLS data for 10,180 workers.
Pay ranges from $50,750 for the lowest-paid 10% to $132,870 for the top 10%. That is 32% higher than the national median of $68,270. California ranks 3rd of 51 states for librarians and media collections specialists pay, one of the best-paying states for this job. There are 0.56 librarians and media collections specialists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.65). The average (mean) salary is $92,300, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for librarians and media collections specialists in California
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $50,750 | $24.40 |
| 25th percentile | $66,540 | $31.99 |
| Median | $89,790 | $43.17 |
| 75th percentile | $108,800 | $52.31 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $132,870 | $63.88 |
| Average (mean) | $92,300 | $44.38 |
Half of librarians and media collections specialists earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $7,482.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,741.25 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,453.46 |
| Weekly | $1,726.73 |
| Hourly | $43.17 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $89,790 salary, see how much house you can afford in California at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Librarians and Media Collections Specialists salary in cities in California
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $103,240 | 700 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | $101,490 | 1,940 |
| Merced, CA | $98,630 | 50 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $97,510 | 3,270 |
| Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA | $94,380 | 130 |
| San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles, CA | $92,140 | 110 |
| Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA | $91,090 | 40 |
| Bakersfield-Delano, CA | $87,490 | 100 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | $84,810 | 820 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $83,890 | 540 |
| Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA | $81,890 | 150 |
| Modesto, CA | $80,860 | 80 |
| Chico, CA | $80,840 | 70 |
| Fresno, CA | $80,450 | 220 |
| Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA | $79,290 | 160 |
| Napa, CA | $78,490 | 40 |
| El Centro, CA | $78,110 | 30 |
| Vallejo, CA | $77,860 | 70 |
| Redding, CA | $76,970 | 40 |
| Salinas, CA | $76,080 | 150 |
| Stockton-Lodi, CA | $74,760 | 120 |
| Visalia, CA | $67,970 | 70 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | $57,410 | 930 |
Highest-paying states for librarians and media collections specialists
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Washington | $100,030 |
| District of Columbia | $96,550 |
| California | $89,790 |
| Maryland | $88,570 |
| Nevada | $84,540 |
| Connecticut | $79,210 |
| Alaska | $78,810 |
| New York | $78,590 |
| Massachusetts | $78,540 |
| New Jersey | $78,380 |
See Librarians and Media Collections Specialists pay in every state.
Related jobs in California
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Library Technician | $53,260 | $25.61 |
| Museum Technicians and Conservators | $61,550 | $29.59 |
| Archivist | $70,530 | $33.91 |
| Curator | $78,740 | $37.86 |
| Teaching Assistants, Except Postsecondary | $46,490 | — |
| Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education | $99,650 | — |
| Substitute Teachers, Short-Term | $60,300 | $28.99 |
| Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education | $101,370 | — |
| Self-Enrichment Teacher | $49,570 | $23.83 |
| Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education | $47,400 | $22.79 |
| Tutor | $45,100 | $21.69 |
| Educational Instruction and Library Workers, All Other | $64,100 | $30.82 |
| Postsecondary Teachers, All Other | $100,690 | — |
| Middle School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education | $98,950 | — |
More: Educational Instruction and Library Occupations · all salaries in California
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 25-4022. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a librarians and media collections specialists make in California?
The median salary for librarians and media collections specialists in California is $89,790 a year, or $43.17 an hour. Pay ranges from $50,750 for the lowest-paid 10% to $132,870 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid librarians and media collections specialists make in California?
The top 10% of librarians and media collections specialists in California earn at least $132,870 a year. The top 25% earn $108,800 or more.
What is the starting pay for librarians and media collections specialists in California?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $50,750 a year, and a quarter of librarians and media collections specialists earn $66,540 or less.
How many librarians and media collections specialists work in California?
About 10,180 librarians and media collections specialists are employed in California, not counting the self-employed.