Librarians and Media Collections Specialists salary in Tennessee
Librarians and Media Collections Specialists in Tennessee earn a median of $62,090 a year ($29.85 an hour), based on BLS data for 2,540 workers.
Pay ranges from $36,860 for the lowest-paid 10% to $80,140 for the top 10%. That is 9% lower than the national median of $68,270. Tennessee ranks 33rd of 51 states for librarians and media collections specialists pay. There are 0.78 librarians and media collections specialists per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $61,560, close to the median.
Pay range for librarians and media collections specialists in Tennessee
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $36,860 | $17.72 |
| 25th percentile | $51,330 | $24.68 |
| Median | $62,090 | $29.85 |
| 75th percentile | $74,130 | $35.64 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $80,140 | $38.53 |
| Average (mean) | $61,560 | $29.59 |
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 | $5,174.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,587.08 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,388.08 |
| Weekly | $1,194.04 |
| Hourly | $29.85 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $62,090 salary, see how much house you can afford in Tennessee at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Librarians and Media Collections Specialists salary in cities in Tennessee
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Clarksville, TN-KY | $76,110 | 80 |
| Memphis, TN-MS-AR | $65,820 | 420 |
| Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN | $64,830 | 830 |
| Knoxville, TN | $63,500 | 310 |
| Cleveland, TN | $62,390 | 40 |
| Chattanooga, TN-GA | $62,150 | 110 |
| Johnson City, TN | $60,650 | 50 |
| Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA | $59,500 | 150 |
| Jackson, TN | $57,560 | 70 |
| Morristown, TN | $55,160 | 40 |
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 Tennessee
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Library Technician | $36,400 | $17.50 |
| Museum Technicians and Conservators | $44,710 | $21.49 |
| Curator | $57,580 | $27.68 |
| Archivist | $53,210 | $25.58 |
| Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education | $59,980 | — |
| Teaching Assistants, Except Postsecondary | $29,210 | — |
| Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education | $61,860 | — |
| Middle School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education | $60,690 | — |
| Substitute Teachers, Short-Term | $29,500 | $14.18 |
| Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education | $34,280 | $16.48 |
| Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary | $98,870 | — |
| Instructional Coordinator | $74,390 | $35.77 |
| Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten and Elementary School | $62,560 | — |
| Self-Enrichment Teacher | $38,730 | $18.62 |
More: Educational Instruction and Library Occupations · all salaries in Tennessee
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 Tennessee?
The median salary for librarians and media collections specialists in Tennessee is $62,090 a year, or $29.85 an hour. Pay ranges from $36,860 for the lowest-paid 10% to $80,140 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid librarians and media collections specialists make in Tennessee?
The top 10% of librarians and media collections specialists in Tennessee earn at least $80,140 a year. The top 25% earn $74,130 or more.
What is the starting pay for librarians and media collections specialists in Tennessee?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $36,860 a year, and a quarter of librarians and media collections specialists earn $51,330 or less.
How many librarians and media collections specialists work in Tennessee?
About 2,540 librarians and media collections specialists are employed in Tennessee, not counting the self-employed.