Librarians and Media Collections Specialists Salary in Santa Cruz, CA

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA

Median annual salary $101,900 +58.4% vs national
Median hourly $48.99
10th percentile $43,200
90th percentile $140,710
Employed locally 70
National median $64,320

Compare Librarians and Media Collections Specialists salary & buying power

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Librarians and Media Collections Specialists
in
Santa Cruz, CA
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $43,200
    25th
    $75,400
    50th (median)
    $101,900
    75th
    $132,480
    90th
    $140,710

    Santa Cruz economic context

    Unemployment rate 5.90% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $109,266 2023 • Census ACS
    Librarians and Media Collections Specialists salary vs area income 93% Median Librarians and Media Collections Specialists salary is 7% below the area median household income

    Top-paying metros for Librarians and Media Collections Specialists

    Metro areaMedian salary
    Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA $100,810
    Kennewick-Richland, WA $99,530
    San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA $99,370
    Olympia-Lacey-Tumwater, WA $98,820
    Bellingham, WA $98,760
    Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA $98,670

    Nearby metros — Librarians and Media Collections Specialists salary comparison

    Metro areaMedian salary
    San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA $99,370
    Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA $98,670
    San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $98,660
    Modesto, CA $94,450
    Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA $90,410
    San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles, CA $89,080

    Related occupations in Santa Cruz, CA

    OccupationMedian salary
    Teaching Assistants, Except Postsecondary $45,820
    Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education $80,630
    Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education $82,170
    Self-Enrichment Teachers $50,710
    Substitute Teachers, Short-Term $60,060
    Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education $45,250

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Librarians and Media Collections Specialists make per hour in Santa Cruz?

    The median hourly wage for Librarians and Media Collections Specialists in Santa Cruz, CA is $48.99, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $66.04 or more per hour.

    Is Santa Cruz above or below average for Librarians and Media Collections Specialists salaries?

    The median Librarians and Media Collections Specialists salary in Santa Cruz, CA is 58.4% above the national median of $64,320. The national figure is from BLS OEWS 2025 data covering all US metropolitan areas.

    What is the entry-level salary for Librarians and Media Collections Specialists in Santa Cruz?

    Entry-level Librarians and Media Collections Specialists (10th percentile) earn around $43,200 per year in Santa Cruz, CA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $75,400.