Librarians and Media Collections Specialists salary in Washington
Librarians and Media Collections Specialists in Washington earn a median of $100,030 a year ($48.09 an hour), based on BLS data for 2,750 workers.
Pay ranges from $64,440 for the lowest-paid 10% to $129,690 for the top 10%. That is 47% higher than the national median of $68,270. Washington ranks 1st of 51 states for librarians and media collections specialists pay, one of the best-paying states for this job. There are 0.77 librarians and media collections specialists per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $98,530, close to the median.
Pay range for librarians and media collections specialists in Washington
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $64,440 | $30.98 |
| 25th percentile | $80,690 | $38.79 |
| Median | $100,030 | $48.09 |
| 75th percentile | $118,540 | $56.99 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $129,690 | $62.35 |
| Average (mean) | $98,530 | $47.37 |
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 | $8,335.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,167.92 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,847.31 |
| Weekly | $1,923.65 |
| Hourly | $48.09 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $100,030 salary, see how much house you can afford in Washington at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Librarians and Media Collections Specialists salary in cities in Washington
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Kennewick-Richland, WA | $105,240 | 90 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $101,780 | 1,590 |
| Bremerton-Silverdale-Port Orchard, WA | $100,240 | 110 |
| Yakima, WA | $96,250 | 80 |
| Olympia-Lacey-Tumwater, WA | $92,610 | 130 |
| Mount Vernon-Anacortes, WA | $85,730 | 40 |
| Bellingham, WA | $83,810 | 100 |
| Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA | $82,130 | 1,070 |
| Spokane-Spokane Valley, WA | $79,880 | 140 |
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 Washington
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Library Technician | $62,570 | $30.08 |
| Archivist | $76,490 | $36.77 |
| Museum Technicians and Conservators | $59,610 | $28.66 |
| Curator | $74,030 | $35.59 |
| Teaching Assistants, Except Postsecondary | $49,120 | — |
| Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education | $102,350 | — |
| Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education | $102,670 | — |
| Substitute Teachers, Short-Term | $55,740 | $26.80 |
| Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education | $45,660 | $21.95 |
| Self-Enrichment Teacher | $48,020 | $23.09 |
| Middle School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education | $102,140 | — |
| Kindergarten Teachers, Except Special Education | $99,960 | — |
| Instructional Coordinator | $97,250 | $46.76 |
| Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary | $137,520 | — |
More: Educational Instruction and Library Occupations · all salaries in Washington
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 Washington?
The median salary for librarians and media collections specialists in Washington is $100,030 a year, or $48.09 an hour. Pay ranges from $64,440 for the lowest-paid 10% to $129,690 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid librarians and media collections specialists make in Washington?
The top 10% of librarians and media collections specialists in Washington earn at least $129,690 a year. The top 25% earn $118,540 or more.
What is the starting pay for librarians and media collections specialists in Washington?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $64,440 a year, and a quarter of librarians and media collections specialists earn $80,690 or less.
How many librarians and media collections specialists work in Washington?
About 2,750 librarians and media collections specialists are employed in Washington, not counting the self-employed.