Librarian or Library Media Specialist: how teachers make the switch

“Librarians and library media specialists help people find information and conduct research for personal and professional use.”

Know this first

  • DegreeBLS: librarians typically need a master's in library science (MLS).
  • LicensePublic school librarians typically need a teaching certificate, and some states require an exam. Requirements vary by state.
From
Teaching
To
Librarian or Library Media Specialist
U.S. median pay
$68,270
U.S. median, BLS (May 2025)
Job outlook
+3%
BLS, 2025–35
Entry education
Master's degree
Related experience
None
SOC25-4022Source: BLS

Pay varies by state and sector.

Already packed

What carries over from your classroom

  • Your teaching certificate, which many school library roles require
  • Teaching research skills and media literacy
  • Choosing materials for different ages and reading levels

Still to pack

What you’d likely need to add

  • A library science master's for most non-school roles
  • Cataloging and library systems

Test flights

Try it before you quit

Small, low-risk ways to find out if you’d actually like this work.

  1. Spend a few planning periods helping your school's library media specialist
  2. Check your state's school library certification rules
  3. Volunteer at a public library branch on a weekend

Is this one of your 3 paths?

Answer a few questions about the teaching work you enjoy and your constraints around time, money, and pay. See 3 careers your skills already fit, including ones you’ve probably never heard of.

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Other routes from teaching

Data checked September 2026 from the BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook (SOC 25-4022). Suggestions on this page are our own editorial guidance, not BLS data.