SOC 25-4022 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Librarians and Media Collections Specialists — Madison
Madison, WI · 10 metro areas compared
In Madison, WI the median wage for Librarians and Media Collections Specialists is $78,050 a year, which is 14.3% higher than the national figure of $68,270.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
In Madison, WI the median wage for Librarians and Media Collections Specialists is $78,050 a year, which is 14.3% higher than the national figure of $68,270. The middle half of workers in this occupation earn between $63,470 and $82,450. The lowest tenth earn under $47,840, while the highest tenth earn more than $97,180.
The area has 440 jobs in this occupation, giving a location quotient of 1.25 — a measure of how concentrated the occupation is here relative to the country as a whole. Within the state, Wausau records the highest median at $74,780. Of the 534 occupations with published wages in this area, it sits 175th.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $47,840 | −29.9% |
| 25th | $63,470 | −7.0% |
| Median (50th) | $78,050 | +14.3% |
| 75th | $82,450 | +20.8% |
| 90th | $97,180 | +42.3% |
| Mean | $75,570 | +10.7% |
Other metro areas in Wisconsin
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Wausau | $74,780 | 30 | |
| 2 | Milwaukee | $74,240 | 610 | |
| 3 | Green Bay | $72,020 | 120 | |
| 4 | Kenosha | $69,640 | 40 | |
| 5 | Racine | $68,100 | 40 | |
| 6 | Oshkosh | $66,020 | 70 | |
| 7 | Sheboygan | $65,250 | 50 | |
| 8 | Fond du Lac | $65,120 | 40 | |
| 9 | La Crosse | $64,050 | 100 | |
| 10 | Eau Claire | $63,920 | 70 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Madison run 5.9% below the national average, so the median of $78,050 goes as far as $82,944 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 21.5% above the national median in real terms.
Published median
$78,050as reported by BLSLocal price level
94.1US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$82,944US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $78,050 a year, 14.3% above the national median.
- Published pay spans $47,840 to $97,180 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 440 jobs in this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Wausau, at $74,780.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Librarians and Media Collections Specialists in Madison, WI?
The median annual wage is $78,050, or $37.53 per hour, as of May 2025. Half of the workers in this occupation earn more than that and half earn less.
Is that higher than the national average?
The national median for this occupation is $68,270, so pay in Madison, WI is 14.3% higher. These figures are medians, not averages: half of workers fall on each side.
What do the top earners make?
The top tenth of this occupation in Madison, WI earns more than $97,180 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $47,840 per year. The survey measures wages actually paid rather than experience level, so this reflects the lowest-paid tenth rather than entry-level pay specifically.
Which area nearby pays the most?
The highest median for this occupation among the metro areas covered is in Wausau, at $74,780 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 440 jobs in this occupation in Madison, WI. Self-employed workers are not included.
Source and methodology
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 Wages are for wage-and-salary workers; self-employed workers are not included. Salary Explorer is an independent project. It is not affiliated with, or endorsed by, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics or any government agency. Full methodology.
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