Explore jobs
Find specific jobs
Explore careers
Explore professions
Best companies
Explore companies
The differences between librarians and library media specialists can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 1-2 years to become a librarian, becoming a library media specialist takes usually requires 2-4 years. Additionally, a librarian has an average salary of $53,096, which is higher than the $41,529 average annual salary of a library media specialist.
The top three skills for a librarian include library services, customer service and library materials. The most important skills for a library media specialist are professional development, library materials, and K-12.
| Librarian | Library Media Specialist | |
| Yearly salary | $53,096 | $41,529 |
| Hourly rate | $25.53 | $19.97 |
| Growth rate | 6% | 6% |
| Number of jobs | 1,264 | 9,216 |
| Job satisfaction | 5 | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 56% | Bachelor's Degree, 54% |
| Average age | 48 | 48 |
| Years of experience | 2 | 4 |
Librarians are trained in the field of information science so they can assist people in search of information. They direct and develop information systems and programs for the public. It is their job to make sure that the data is well-organized to meet every library user's needs. Their library work focuses on three main aspects, including user services, administrative services, and technical services. Typically, librarians work in schools, government, or local libraries.
A Library Media Specialist is in charge of managing and handling a library's media resources and providing visitors and staff assistance. They may work for public libraries, learning institutions, or other facilities with libraries. Their responsibilities usually include helping visitors locate media materials, preparing and processing resources, arranging items according to protocols, and overseeing computer equipment to ensure that they are in good condition. They may also maintain the cleanliness of libraries and implement its policies and regulations.
Librarians and library media specialists have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Librarian | Library Media Specialist | |
| Average salary | $53,096 | $41,529 |
| Salary range | Between $38,000 And $73,000 | Between $31,000 And $55,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Francisco, CA | Walnut Creek, CA |
| Highest paying state | Alaska | Hawaii |
| Best paying company | Meta | Montgomery County Public Schools |
| Best paying industry | Education | Government |
There are a few differences between a librarian and a library media specialist in terms of educational background:
| Librarian | Library Media Specialist | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 56% | Bachelor's Degree, 54% |
| Most common major | Library Science | Library Science |
| Most common college | New York University | University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill |
Here are the differences between librarians' and library media specialists' demographics:
| Librarian | Library Media Specialist | |
| Average age | 48 | 48 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 31.3% Female, 68.7% | Male, 14.7% Female, 85.3% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 6.4% Unknown, 3.6% Hispanic or Latino, 7.7% Asian, 4.9% White, 77.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3% | Black or African American, 7.1% Unknown, 3.4% Hispanic or Latino, 8.2% Asian, 5.3% White, 75.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3% |
| LGBT Percentage | 16% | 16% |