Librarians and Media Collections Specialists
SOC Code: 25-4022 Job Zone 5: Extensive Preparation Needed
Administer and maintain libraries or collections of information, for public or private access through reference or borrowing. Work in a variety of settings, such as educational institutions, museums, and corporations, and with various types of informational materials, such as books, periodicals, recordings, films, and databases. Tasks may include acquiring, cataloging, and circulating library materials, and user services such as locating and organizing information, providing instruction on how to access information, and setting up and operating a library's media equipment.
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Prevailing Wage Levels (National)
DOL/OFLC prevailing wage thresholds for Librarians and Media Collections Specialists. Hourly rates x 2,080 = annual.
FY2027 Weighted Lottery Impact
| Level | Lottery Entries | Est. Selection Rate |
|---|---|---|
| Level I (Entry) | 1 entry | ~16% |
| Level II (Qualified) | 2 entries | ~31% |
| Level III (Experienced) | 3 entries | ~45% |
| Level IV (Expert) | 4 entries | ~61% |
Prevailing Wages by Metro Area
| Metro Area | Level I | Level II | Level III | Level IV |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA | $65,603 | $84,614 | $103,605 | $122,616 |
| Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA | $58,011 | $79,414 | $100,797 | $122,200 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | $63,544 | $81,453 | $99,341 | $117,250 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $68,016 | $84,240 | $100,443 | $116,667 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $75,046 | $87,672 | $100,318 | $112,944 |
| Bellingham, WA | $69,264 | $83,450 | $97,614 | $111,800 |
| Merced, CA | $46,821 | $67,434 | $88,026 | $108,638 |
| Modesto, CA | $64,584 | $79,144 | $93,683 | $108,243 |
| Napa, CA | $55,557 | $73,070 | $90,563 | $108,077 |
| Bremerton-Silverdale-Port Orchard, WA | $70,574 | $82,846 | $95,139 | $107,411 |
H-1B Filing Data
Top H-1B Employers
| Employer | Filings | Avg Wage |
|---|---|---|
| University of Michigan | 2 | $69,608 |
Filing Trend
| Year | Filings | Avg Wage |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 1 | $73,296 |
| 2026 | 1 | $65,920 |
Key Skills
| Skill | Importance | Level |
|---|---|---|
| Reading Comprehension | 3.9 | |
| Active Listening | 3.9 | |
| Speaking | 3.9 | |
| Critical Thinking | 3.6 | |
| Writing | 3.6 | |
| Monitoring | 3.4 | |
| Service Orientation | 3.4 | |
| Active Learning | 3.2 | |
| Social Perceptiveness | 3.2 | |
| Judgment and Decision Making | 3.1 |
Knowledge Areas
| Knowledge | Importance |
|---|---|
| Customer and Personal Service | 4.6 |
| English Language | 4.4 |
| Computers and Electronics | 4.0 |
| Education and Training | 4.0 |
| Administrative | 3.8 |
| Communications and Media | 3.3 |
| Administration and Management | 3.2 |
| Psychology | 2.7 |
Education Requirements
| Education Level | % of Workers |
|---|---|
| Doctoral degree | 64.7% |
| Post-secondary certificate | 10.2% |
| Bachelor's degree | 8.2% |
| Post-doctoral training | 4.7% |
| Some college | 4.5% |
| Associate's degree | 3.6% |
| Master's degree | 2.7% |
| Post-first professional | 1.4% |
Typical Tasks
- Check books in and out of the library.
- Teach library patrons basic computer skills, such as searching computerized databases.
- Review and evaluate materials, using book reviews, catalogs, faculty recommendations, and current holdings to select and order print, audio-visual, and electronic resources.
- Keep up-to-date records of circulation and materials, maintain inventory, and correct cataloging errors.
- Search standard reference materials, including online sources and the Internet, to answer patrons' reference questions.
- Analyze patrons' requests to determine needed information and assist in furnishing or locating that information.
- Supervise daily library operations, budgeting, planning, and personnel activities, such as hiring, training, scheduling, and performance evaluations.
- Plan and teach classes on topics such as information literacy, library instruction, and technology use.
Technology Skills
Green = Hot Technology in demand
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