Librarians and Media Collections Specialists in the Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ area earn an average annual salary of $65,070. This figure is remarkably close to the national average of $65,750, indicating a stable compensation landscape. Local economic factors and the specific demand within the region's educational and cultural institutions play a significant role in shaping this pay scale.
Executive Summary
- Average Salary: $65,070 per year.
- Growth Trend: Salaries have shifted 4.0% ↗ over the last 5 years.
- Top Earners: Senior professionals (90th percentile) earn up to $93,970.
- Outlook: With a total local workforce of 260 Librarians and Media Collections Specialists, the Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton region demonstrates a moderate concentration of these professionals, as indicated by a Location Quotient of 0.82. While not exceeding the national average concentration, this workforce size suggests a steady, established presence of the role, implying consistent demand for skilled individuals within the local job market.
Salary Overview
The average Librarians and Media Collections Specialists in Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ earns-1.0%below the national average.
$31.3
$1,251
$5,423
Librarians and Media Collections Specialists Salary Trends (2020-2024)
While specific historical data for this exact region and role isn't provided, it's generally assumed that salaries for Librarians and Media Collections Specialists across the nation, including Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, have experienced steady growth over the past four years. This trend is typically driven by inflation, increasing demand for specialized information management skills, and the evolving nature of library services in the digital age.
Librarians and Media Collections Specialists Salary Distribution in Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ
Career progression for Librarians and Media Collections Specialists typically involves a significant salary increase with experience. Entry-level positions may start at a lower percentile of the pay scale, while senior roles, often requiring advanced degrees or specialized expertise, command salaries in the higher percentiles. The gap between entry-level and senior salaries reflects the accumulation of knowledge, leadership responsibilities, and specialized skills developed over time.
| Experience Level | Market Percentile | Annual Wage | Hourly Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| ProbationaryInitial licensure. Mentored by senior faculty. | 10% (Entry) | $35,510 | $17.1 |
| Tenured / ProProfessional status. Curriculum development. | 25% (Junior) | $48,803 | $23.5 |
| Senior EducatorDepartment chair. Mentors student teachers. | 50% (Median) | $63,180 | $30.4 |
| Lead SpecialistInstructional coach, reading specialist, or VP. | 75% (Senior) | $81,338 | $39.1 |
| AdministratorPrincipal, District Admin, or Consultant. | 90% (Expert) | $93,970 | $45.2 |
Detailed Librarians and Media Collections Specialists Market Analysis
Relocation Context
Nominal Salary
$65,070
Gross Pay
Real Wage (Purchasing Power)
$65,070
Adjusted for COL (100)
The average annual salary of $65,070 in Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ aligns perfectly with the local Cost of Living Index of 100, which is the national average. This means that the nominal salary offers purchasing power equivalent to the national average, suggesting that the cost of essential goods and services is neither a significant advantage nor a disadvantage for professionals in this area compared to the rest of the country.
Job Market Context
260
Total Jobs
0.702
Per 1K Jobs
0.82
Location Quotient
Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ has 0.82x the national average concentration of Librarians and Media Collections Specialists jobs. This means there are fewer opportunities per capita here compared to the U.S. average — competition for roles may be higher.
The Location Quotient of 0.82 for Librarians and Media Collections Specialists in Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ indicates that the concentration of these professionals is slightly below the national average. This suggests that while the profession is present and valued, the market may not be oversaturated, potentially offering a balanced competitive environment for job seekers and employers alike.
Nearby Job Markets
Nearby Cities for Librarians and Media Collections Specialists
| City | Salary | Dist. |
|---|---|---|
| Reading, PA Librarians and Media Collections Specialists Salary | $61,940↓ 5% | 30 mi |
| Trenton-Princeton, NJ Librarians and Media Collections Specialists Salary | $91,380↑ 40% | 45 mi |
| Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD Librarians and Media Collections Specialists Salary | $72,680↑ 12% | 47 mi |
| Lebanon, PA Librarians and Media Collections Specialists Salary | $56,710↓ 13% | 53 mi |
| Scranton--Wilkes-Barre, PA Librarians and Media Collections Specialists Salary | $51,960↓ 20% | 57 mi |
Comparing salaries near Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ
Hiring Librarians and Media Collections Specialistss?
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a Librarians and Media Collections Specialists make in Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ?
The median annual salary for a Librarians and Media Collections Specialists in Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ is $65,070. This typically ranges from $35,510 for entry-level positions to $93,970 for top-level roles.
How does the salary compare to the national average?
The average salary for this role in Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ is 1.0% lower than the national median of $65,750.
Is Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ a lucrative place for Librarians and Media Collections Specialists?
No, it is not significantly more lucrative than the national average.The average salary of $65,070 is very close to the national average of $65,750, and the cost of living is exactly at the national average, offering no distinct financial advantage.
Is Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ a good place to live for Librarians and Media Collections Specialists?
The Cost of Living Index in Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ is 100. While higher than average, this often correlates with higher wages.
Where are the highest paying cities near Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ?
Some top paying nearby cities include Reading, PA ($61,940) and Trenton-Princeton, NJ.
How does the local job market compare to the national average for Librarians?
The Location Quotient of 0.82 suggests that the concentration of Librarians and Media Collections Specialists in Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton is slightly lower than the national average, indicating a potentially less competitive, but still stable, job market.
What is the typical salary range for Librarians and Media Collections Specialists in this area?
While the average is $65,070, entry-level positions would likely fall below this, and senior or specialized roles could command significantly higher salaries, reflecting experience and expertise.
Does the cost of living affect the value of a Librarian's salary in Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton?
No, the cost of living index is 100, meaning it is exactly at the national average. Therefore, the $65,070 salary has purchasing power equivalent to the national average.
How many Librarians and Media Collections Specialists work in the Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton area?
There are approximately 260 Librarians and Media Collections Specialists employed in the Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ region.
Methodology: Salary data is derived from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS 2024 release. Figures represent gross pay before taxes. Analysis includes 260 employees in the Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ area with a job density of 0.702 per 1,000 jobs. Cost of Living data is estimated based on state and metro averages.
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Semantic Salary Analysis for Librarians and Media Collections Specialists • Data source: BLS OEWS 2024 •Jobs in Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ