Library Technicians

Pay and outlook

Median annual wage, May 2025

$44,580

Half earn more, half earn less

Middle half earn

$35,740 – $52,430

25th to 75th percentile

People employed, May 2025

68,690

Wage and salary jobs (OEWS)

Projected change, 2025–35

-6.4%

Shrinking (below 0%)

Openings a year (projected)

10,800

New jobs plus replacing people who leave

Typical education to enter

Postsecondary nondegree award

BLS

• All figures are for the United States as a whole. Pay varies a lot by state and city.
• Wages are for everyone working in the occupation in May 2025, at every career stage. They are not starting salaries or figures for new graduates.
• Growth and openings are BLS projections for 2025–35. They are estimates, not promises. Openings include jobs that open up when people retire or change occupation, not just new jobs.

What the work involves

Assist librarians by helping readers in the use of library catalogs, databases, and indexes to locate books and other materials; and by answering questions that require only brief consultation of standard reference. Compile records; sort and shelve books or other media; remove or repair damaged books or other media; register patrons; and check materials in and out of the circulation process. Replace materials in shelving area (stacks) or files. Includes bookmobile drivers who assist with providing services in mobile libraries.

Main tasks

• Reserve, circulate, renew, and discharge books and other materials.
• Answer routine telephone or in-person reference inquiries, referring patrons to librarians for further assistance, when necessary.
• Help patrons find and use library resources, such as reference materials, audio-visual equipment, computers, and other electronic resources and provide technical assistance when needed.
• Deliver and retrieve items throughout the library by hand or using pushcart.
• Process print and non-print library materials to prepare them for inclusion in library collections.
• Catalogue and sort books and other print and non-print materials according to procedure and return them to shelves, files, or other designated storage areas.
• Enter and update patrons' records on computers.
• Provide assistance to teachers and students by locating materials and helping to complete special projects.

Description and tasks from the O*NET® 31.0 Database.

Getting in

Typical education to enter (BLS)

Postsecondary nondegree award

O*NET Job Zone 3

Medium preparation

Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.

Fields of study that lead here

From the federal CIP–SOC crosswalk, which links 1 programme to this occupation. A link means the programme prepares people for this kind of work. It doesn't mean the programme is required, or that it's the only route.

Related careers

Related occupations from the O*NET database, in its order.

• File Clerks

  $43,600 median · -15.8% projected

• Office Clerks, General

  $45,010 median · -6% projected

• Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive

  $47,540 median · -6% projected

• Receptionists and Information Clerks

  $38,010 median · -1.7% projected

• Teaching Assistants, Preschool, Elementary, Middle, and Secondary School, Except Special Education

  $36,780 median · -0.3% projected

• Database Administrators

  $104,620 median · -0.1% projected