School Library Media Specialist: Program Overview, Universities, Careers & Salaries
Program Overview
Prepared to lead information and literacy initiatives in educational settings, this program equips professionals to design, manage, and integrate library and media resources within K–12 learning environments. Graduates are trained to foster student engagement, support curriculum goals, and promote digital and information literacy across diverse classrooms and school communities.
- Information Literacy Instruction: Develops strategies to teach students how to locate, evaluate, and ethically use information across print and digital platforms.
- Curriculum Integration: Focuses on aligning library resources and media programs with academic standards and classroom learning objectives.
- Media Resource Management: Covers the selection, organization, and maintenance of print, electronic, and multimedia collections tailored to student needs.
- Technology and Digital Tools: Explores the use of emerging technologies, learning management systems, and digital content to enhance access and learning outcomes.
- Library Program Administration: Builds skills in planning, budgeting, staffing, and evaluating school library operations for maximum educational impact.
- Equity and Inclusion in Access: Emphasizes creating inclusive environments where all learners, regardless of background, have equitable access to resources and support.
School Library Media Specialist Graduate Trends (2010-2024)
School Library Media Specialist Career Pathways & Salary Outlook
The following table presents salary data for occupations typically aligned with School Library Media Specialist degrees, including Librarians and Media Collections Specialists. These career paths represent common employment outcomes but are not guaranteed for all graduates. Salary ranges vary by location, employer, experience level, and specific role requirements. Nationally, these occupations employ approximately 131,830 professionals.
National Average Salaries
| Occupation | Median Salary | Salary Range | Total Employment | Hourly Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Librarians and Media Collections Specialists 25-4022 | $64,320 | $38,920 - $100,880 | 131,830 | $30.92 |
School Library Media Specialist Salary Map by State
Geographic location significantly impacts earning potential for these careers. Average salaries range from $46,570 in Idaho to $94,400 in Washington—a 103% difference. The highest-paying states include Washington, District of Columbia, and California. Nationwide, these occupations employ over 131,830 professionals across all states. Explore the interactive map below to compare regional compensation and identify optimal markets for your career goals.
Average Salary Range:
Top Universities for School Library Media Specialist by Graduate Enrollment
Below are the top 33 institutions offering School Library Media Specialist programs for the 2023-2024 academic year (the most recent data reported as of 2025), ranked by the number of graduates. The highest graduate enrollment in School Library Media Specialist is found at University of West Georgia (UWG) (67 graduates), University at Albany (UAlbany) (35 graduates), Montana State University (MSU) (34 graduates), St. John Fisher University (33 graduates), and University at Buffalo (UB) (32 graduates). Combined, these colleges produced 529 graduates across all degree levels. Program availability varies by award level, including Associate, Bachelor's, Master's, and Doctoral degrees at participating universities and schools.
| College Name | Award Levels | Graduates | Location | Control | Website |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| University of West Georgia (UWG) |
Postbac Cert.
|
67 | Carrollton, Georgia | Public | westga.edu |
| University at Albany (UAlbany) |
Master's
|
35 | Albany, New York | Public | albany.edu |
| Montana State University (MSU) |
Postbac Cert.
|
34 | Bozeman, Montana | Public | montana.edu |
| St. John Fisher University |
Master's
|
33 | Rochester, New York | Private | sjf.edu |
| University at Buffalo (UB) |
Master's
|
32 | Buffalo, New York | Public | buffalo.edu |
| Syracuse University |
Master's
Post-Master's
|
30 | Syracuse, New York | Private | syracuse.edu |
| Cambridge College |
Master's
|
26 | Boston, Massachusetts | Private | cambridgecollege.edu |
| Longwood University |
Master's
|
26 | Farmville, Virginia | Public | longwood.edu |
| Missouri State University |
Postbac Cert.
|
25 | Springfield, Missouri | Public | missouristate.edu |
| Eastern Kentucky University (EKU) |
Master's
|
20 | Richmond, Kentucky | Public | eku.edu |
| Murray State University (MSU) |
Master's
|
19 | Murray, Kentucky | Public | murraystate.edu |
| University of Central Missouri (UCM) |
Postbac Cert.
|
16 | Warrensburg, Missouri | Public | ucmo.edu |
| East Central University (ECU) |
Master's
|
16 | Ada, Oklahoma | Public | ecok.edu |
| University of Central Oklahoma (UCO) |
Master's
|
14 | Edmond, Oklahoma | Public | uco.edu |
| Plymouth State University (PSU) |
Master's
|
13 | Plymouth, New Hampshire | Public | plymouth.edu |
| Southern Connecticut State University (SCSU) |
Postbac Cert.
|
11 | New Haven, Connecticut | Public | southernct.edu |
| Georgia College & State University |
Master's
|
11 | Milledgeville, Georgia | Public | gcsu.edu |
| CUNY Queens College |
Master's
Post-Master's
|
11 | Queens, New York | Public | qc.cuny.edu |
| Georgia Southern University |
Postbac Cert.
|
10 | Statesboro, Georgia | Public | georgiasouthern.edu |
| Northwestern State University of Louisiana (NSULA) |
Postbac Cert.
|
10 | Natchitoches, Louisiana | Public | nsula.edu |
| University of Maine (UMaine) |
Postbac Cert.
|
10 | Orono, Maine | Public | umaine.edu |
| McNeese State University |
Postbac Cert.
|
8 | Lake Charles, Louisiana | Public | mcneese.edu |
| University of South Alabama (USA) |
Master's
|
7 | Mobile, Alabama | Public | southalabama.edu |
| McDaniel College |
Master's
|
7 | Westminster, Maryland | Private | mcdaniel.edu |
| Saint Cloud State University (SCSU) |
Postbac Cert.
Master's
|
7 | Saint Cloud, Minnesota | Public | stcloudstate.edu |
| Valley City State University (VCSU) |
Postbac Cert.
|
6 | Valley City, North Dakota | Public | vcsu.edu |
| Kent State University |
Master's
|
6 | Kent, Ohio | Public | kent.edu |
| East Tennessee State University (ETSU) |
Postbac Cert.
|
6 | Johnson City, Tennessee | Public | etsu.edu |
| Southern Arkansas University (SAU) |
Postbac Cert.
|
4 | Magnolia, Arkansas | Public | saumag.edu |
| Minnesota State University |
Master's
|
4 | Mankato, Minnesota | Public | mnsu.edu |
| Salem State University (SSU) |
Postbac Cert.
|
3 | Salem, Massachusetts | Public | salemstate.edu |
| St Catherine University (St. Kate’s) |
Master's
|
1 | Saint Paul, Minnesota | Private | stkate.edu |
| University of Rhode Island (URI) |
Postbac Cert.
|
1 | Kingston, Rhode Island | Public | web.uri.edu |
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to the most common questions about School Library Media Specialist programs
How much can I earn with a School Library Media Specialist degree?
Salaries for School Library Media Specialist graduates vary by role and location. Librarians and Media Collections Specialists earn a median of $64,320 annually. Geographic location significantly impacts earnings—professionals in Washington average $94,400 compared to $46,570 in Idaho. Approximately 131,830 professionals work in related occupations nationwide.
Salary data from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS program, May 2024. Earnings vary by experience, employer, and market conditions.
Which universities have the largest School Library Media Specialist programs?
Currently 33 accredited institutions offer School Library Media Specialist degrees across the U.S. Programs with the highest enrollment include University of West Georgia (UWG) (67 graduates), University at Albany (UAlbany) (35 graduates), and Montana State University (MSU) (34 graduates).
Program size doesn't necessarily indicate quality—consider factors like faculty expertise, production opportunities, location, and available degree levels when choosing a school.
Data based on IPEDS program completions for 2023-2024 academic year. Numbers reflect programs where students graduated.
Is enrollment in School Library Media Specialist growing or declining?
Graduate numbers have increased over the past decade, rising from 165 in 2010 to 529 in 2023-24. This represents a 221% increase overall from 2010.
The field remains specialized with steady interest, though opportunities are most concentrated in major metropolitan areas with active arts scenes like New York, California, and Illinois.
Graduate enrollment data from IPEDS, 2010-2024 academic years. Trends reflect reported completions at participating institutions.
What career paths are available with a School Library Media Specialist degree?
This degree prepares you for roles such as Librarians and Media Collections Specialists. Related occupations employ approximately 131,830 professionals nationwide.
Skills in project management, creative leadership, and collaboration also transfer to event planning, arts administration, marketing, and corporate training roles. Many professionals work freelance or on a project basis across theatre, film, and live events.
Career pathways mapped using CIP-SOC crosswalk from the National Center for Education Statistics. Employment data from BLS OEWS May 2024.
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