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The differences between media specialists and special library librarians can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 2-4 years to become a media specialist, becoming a special library librarian takes usually requires 1-2 years. Additionally, a special library librarian has an average salary of $52,343, which is higher than the $50,832 average annual salary of a media specialist.
The top three skills for a media specialist include digital marketing, video production and customer service. The most important skills for a special library librarian are library services, professional development, and library resources.
| Media Specialist | Special Library Librarian | |
| Yearly salary | $50,832 | $52,343 |
| Hourly rate | $24.44 | $25.16 |
| Growth rate | 8% | 6% |
| Number of jobs | 39,401 | 12,477 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 70% | Bachelor's Degree, 57% |
| Average age | 42 | 48 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 2 |
Media specialists are individuals who establish and administer content on various social media platforms. The job involves monitoring site metrics, overseeing creative design, and responding to reader comments. Specialists offer advice to administrators and teachers on the use of non-print social media. They work for huge enterprises with multimedia departments, new media departments, and in-house websites. The skills the job requires include trend awareness, social media ads, community management, strong visual aesthetic, and understanding SEO.
A special library librarian is responsible for the library which contains specialized materials for commercial and government organizations. They select and order library books and protect audio-video materials, periodical journals, and magazines from damage. They are responsible for locating, filing, and cataloguing.
Media specialists and special library librarians have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Media Specialist | Special Library Librarian | |
| Average salary | $50,832 | $52,343 |
| Salary range | Between $35,000 And $73,000 | Between $37,000 And $72,000 |
| Highest paying City | Washington, DC | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | New Jersey | Alaska |
| Best paying company | BP America Inc | Northern California Power Agency |
| Best paying industry | Professional | - |
There are a few differences between a media specialist and a special library librarian in terms of educational background:
| Media Specialist | Special Library Librarian | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 70% | Bachelor's Degree, 57% |
| Most common major | Communication | Library Science |
| Most common college | Stanford University | University of Maryland - College Park |
Here are the differences between media specialists' and special library librarians' demographics:
| Media Specialist | Special Library Librarian | |
| Average age | 42 | 48 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 52.9% Female, 47.1% | Male, 35.4% Female, 64.6% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 10.3% Unknown, 5.1% Hispanic or Latino, 12.2% Asian, 5.3% White, 66.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.6% | Black or African American, 6.4% Unknown, 3.6% Hispanic or Latino, 7.8% Asian, 4.9% White, 77.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3% |
| LGBT Percentage | 12% | 16% |