Entry Level Salary
$32,279
Median Salary
$61,354
Unemployment Rate
3.7%
Avg: 2.2%
Underemployment Rate
21.3%
Working non-college jobs
Earnings Trajectory
Lifetime: $2,454,160
Entry (Early)
$32,279
Median (Prime)
$61,354
High (Prime)
$62,475
ROI Sensitivity Analysis
This analysis tests three "What-If" scenarios. While most students start at the Entry Level, calculating ROI using Median and High salaries helps illustrate the potential long-term payoff for top performers relative to the degree cost.
Lifetime Value Added (NPV)
Entry Level
Median
High
$0 Cost
-166k
+92k
+101k
$25k / yr
-255k
+2k
+11k
$50k / yr
-345k
-88k
-79k
Break-even Age
Entry Level
Median
High
$0 Cost
Never
33
32
$25k / yr
Never
63
56
$50k / yr
Never
Never
Never
Return on Investment %
Entry Level
Median
High
$0 Cost
0%
∞
∞
$25k / yr
-235%
2%
10%
$50k / yr
-159%
-41%
-36%
Sensitivity Analysis Methodology: These grids assume you begin your career earning the salary specified in the column header (Entry Level = conservative baseline, Median/High = potential upside).
Important Note: Your ROI with any major will depend on the cost you pay to attend the program, and your starting salary. Both vary significantly across institutions. We encourage you to explore the ROI of a specific program variant by selecting the Program title of the credential level you are interested in. You will then have a more detailed return analysis for programs at specific institutions. We also encourage you to use the ROI calculator with your specific estimates of cost and salary.
Education Impact
Advanced Degree Rate68.6%
Analysis: A large percentage of students in this field pursue Master's or Doctoral degrees to maximize earnings.
Top Professions
Librarians and media collections specialists
35.2% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$40,116
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$60,000|$64,320
openings
13,500 /yr
Growth (10yr): +1.7%
Elementary and middle school teachers
5.1% of graduates map to this role
Stable
Entry Salary
$37,902
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$58,310|$62,500
openings
132,400 /yr
Growth (10yr): -2%
Secretaries and administrative assistants, except legal, medical, and executive
3.2% of graduates map to this role
Stable
Entry Salary
$20,247
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$31,149|$46,290
openings
202,800 /yr
Growth (10yr): -1.6%
Library assistants, clerical
2.7% of graduates map to this role
Stable
Entry Salary
$12,000
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$26,899|$36,010
openings
12,800 /yr
Growth (10yr): -6.7%
Education and childcare administrators
2.7% of graduates map to this role
Stable
Entry Salary
$54,137
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$83,287|$100,650
openings
45,600 /yr
Growth (10yr): -0.3%
Management occupations
2.4% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$49,980
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$90,000|$122,090
openings
1,147,900 /yr
Growth (10yr): +6.1%
Preschool and kindergarten teachers
1.9% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$6,585
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$10,130|$40,090
openings
78,200 /yr
Growth (10yr): +3.1%
Accountants and auditors
1.8% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$43,993
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$67,681|$81,680
openings
124,200 /yr
Growth (10yr): +4.6%
Postsecondary teachers
1.8% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$14,000
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$52,063|$81,600
openings
136,400 /yr
Growth (10yr): +5.9%
Receptionists and information clerks
1.6% of graduates map to this role
Stable
Entry Salary
$25,887
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$25,887|$37,230
openings
128,500 /yr
Growth (10yr): N/A
About this Data:
- Entry: Median salary for graduates aged 27 and under (PUMS).
- Median (PUMS | BLS): Comparison of this major's graduates vs. the national market average for the role.
- Growth & Openings: 10-year national projections (2024–2034).
Program Variants & Earnings Ranges
Summary of specific program titles and credential levels mapped to this major, showing the range of earnings across different colleges.
| Program Title | Credential Level | # Colleges | Median Earnings Range |
|---|---|---|---|
| library and archives assisting. | Undergrad Certificate | 19 | Data N/A |
| library and archives assisting. | Associate's Degree | 21 | $34,202 - $34,202 |
| library science and administration. | Bachelor's Degree | 8 | $30,340 - $38,786 |
| library science and administration. | Post-bacc Certificate | 4 | $57,780 - $57,780 |
| library science and administration. | Master's Degree | 63 | $47,552 - $74,359 |
| library science and administration. | Doctoral Degree | 10 | Data N/A |
| library science and administration. | First Professional Degree | 2 | $56,690 - $76,685 |
| library science and administration. | Graduate Certificate | 13 | $51,089 - $77,148 |
| library science, other. | Master's Degree | 10 | $52,129 - $72,203 |