Librarians and Media Collections Specialists salary in Massachusetts
Librarians and Media Collections Specialists in Massachusetts earn a median of $78,540 a year ($37.76 an hour), based on BLS data for 4,980 workers.
Pay ranges from $50,260 for the lowest-paid 10% to $109,060 for the top 10%. That is 15% higher than the national median of $68,270. Massachusetts ranks 9th of 51 states for librarians and media collections specialists pay. There are 1.4 librarians and media collections specialists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.6× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $80,220, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for librarians and media collections specialists in Massachusetts
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $50,260 | $24.17 |
| 25th percentile | $62,550 | $30.07 |
| Median | $78,540 | $37.76 |
| 75th percentile | $97,710 | $46.98 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $109,060 | $52.43 |
| Average (mean) | $80,220 | $38.57 |
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 | $6,545 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,272.50 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,020.77 |
| Weekly | $1,510.38 |
| Hourly | $37.76 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $78,540 salary, see how much house you can afford in Massachusetts at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Librarians and Media Collections Specialists salary in cities in Massachusetts
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH | $79,450 | 3,660 |
| Amherst Town-Northampton, MA | $78,780 | 250 |
| Providence-Warwick, RI-MA | $75,730 | 970 |
| Worcester, MA | $75,160 | 490 |
| Springfield, MA | $71,430 | 270 |
| Barnstable Town, MA | $66,940 | 180 |
| Pittsfield, MA | $58,710 | 130 |
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 Massachusetts
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Library Technician | $50,430 | $24.24 |
| Museum Technicians and Conservators | $58,530 | $28.14 |
| Curator | $77,790 | $37.40 |
| Archivist | $78,180 | $37.59 |
| Teaching Assistants, Except Postsecondary | $39,380 | — |
| Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education | $94,000 | — |
| Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education | $95,260 | — |
| Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education | $45,890 | $22.06 |
| Middle School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education | $89,450 | — |
| Self-Enrichment Teacher | $49,430 | $23.77 |
| Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary | $134,520 | — |
| Substitute Teachers, Short-Term | $41,350 | $19.88 |
| Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten and Elementary School | $91,350 | — |
| Instructional Coordinator | $95,320 | $45.83 |
More: Educational Instruction and Library Occupations · all salaries in Massachusetts
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 Massachusetts?
The median salary for librarians and media collections specialists in Massachusetts is $78,540 a year, or $37.76 an hour. Pay ranges from $50,260 for the lowest-paid 10% to $109,060 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid librarians and media collections specialists make in Massachusetts?
The top 10% of librarians and media collections specialists in Massachusetts earn at least $109,060 a year. The top 25% earn $97,710 or more.
What is the starting pay for librarians and media collections specialists in Massachusetts?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $50,260 a year, and a quarter of librarians and media collections specialists earn $62,550 or less.
How many librarians and media collections specialists work in Massachusetts?
About 4,980 librarians and media collections specialists are employed in Massachusetts, not counting the self-employed.