Salary comparison
Librarians and Media Collections Specialists: Merced vs Washington
Merced, CA pays about 3.3% more for librarians and media collections specialists on paper — $98,630 vs $95,480. But once you factor in what it costs to live there, Merced comes out ahead by $3,150 a year in real buying power.
Merced, CA
$98,630
$59,330
$137,960
$47.42
100
$98,630/yr
Median adjusted for local cost of living.
Washington, DC
$95,480
$76,960
$110,200
$45.90
100
$95,480/yr
Median adjusted for local cost of living.
What the numbers mean in practice
The headline gap is $3,150 a year (3.3%) in favor of Merced. That is the raw salary difference before any living costs.
Merced runs a cost index of 100 against the national baseline of 100; Washington sits at 100. After adjusting the median for those costs, Merced is the better deal by $3,150 a year — that is what each paycheck actually buys locally.
If you are weighing a move from Washington to Merced for this role, the raise needs to beat 3.3% to come out ahead after living costs. Anything below that and you are earning more on paper but keeping less.
Common questions
Where do librarians and media collections specialists earn more, Merced or Washington?
Merced pays $98,630 on median — about 3.3% more than Washington ($95,480). Based on BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Which city is the better deal after living costs?
Merced. Once you divide each median by the local cost index, Merced gives you roughly$98,630 of real buying power versus $95,480 in the other city.