HUMANITIES Zone 3: Medium Preparation

Library Technicians

Library Technicians earn $44,580 nationally at the median. The middle 50% of workers fall between $35,740 and $52,430. Where you land depends on specialization, employer, and experience.

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About Library Technicians

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.

Median Wage: $44,580
Employed Nationally: 69K
Openings / Year: 13,000
Entry Education: Postsecondary nondegree award
Job Zone: Zone 3: Medium Preparation

Also known as:

Accessioner Audio-Visual Aide Bibliographer Bindery Library Technical Assistant Book Shelver

How Much Do Library Technicians Make?

Library Technicians earn $44,580 nationally, significantly below average for college graduates. The middle 50% of earners fall between $35,740 and $52,430. Actual pay varies by employer, specialization, and location.

$44,580

National Median (Annual)

Significantly below average. Specialized roles can raise this considerably.

$36K–$52K

Middle 50% Range

25th to 75th percentile. Most workers earn within this band.

Earnings Range

$35,740 Entry-level

$44,580 Median

$52,430 Experienced

What Do Library Technicians Do?

O*NET data identifies 5 core activities and 5 measurable skills for Library Technicians roles. Use this section to judge whether the day-to-day reality aligns with what you actually want to spend time doing.

What You'll Do

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.

Core Skills Employers Look For

Reading Comprehension Speaking Active Listening Service Orientation Critical Thinking

Who Thrives Here

Conventional

Success depends on precision and structured processes, where detail-oriented people who work consistently within established systems perform best.

Social

Working closely with people, teaching, advising, or helping others navigate challenges is a defining feature of this career's daily work.

Realistic

Hands-on tasks, physical activity, or working with tools and real materials are central parts of the daily work here.

Where Do Library Technicians Work?

What the physical and mental conditions of this job actually look like day to day, based on O*NET Work Context data collected from people working in this occupation.

Work Setting

Mixed

Split between indoor and outdoor or field settings.

Physical Demands

Light

Mix of sitting and movement throughout the day.

Stress Level

Low

Low time pressure. Work pace is typically steady and self-directed.

What Is the Job Outlook for Library Technicians?

The BLS projects -6.8% employment change for Library Technicians through 2034, a declining trend, below the national average of +5%. About 13,000 openings per year keep the field accessible to new entrants.

↘ -6.8%

10-Year Growth (2024–2034)

Declining employment projected.

13,000

Annual Openings

New positions plus replacements for retirees and career-changers.

69K

Currently Employed

Total US employment as of BLS May 2024.

Source: BLS Employment Projections 2024–2034 and Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics May 2024.

Where the Jobs Are

The five states below employ the most Library Technicians professionals nationwide. State-level wages can differ significantly from the $44,580 national median. Research your specific market before committing to a program.

#	State	Jobs	Median Wage	vs. National
1	California	7,760	$51,290	+15.1%
2	Texas	5,160	$37,920	-14.9%
3	Ohio	5,090	$35,230	-21.0%
4	New York	4,070	$46,700	+4.8%
5	Florida	3,610	$38,810	-12.9%

Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2024. Employment figures rounded. Read our methodology →

How to Get Here

Most Library Technicians positions require a postsecondary nondegree award to qualify. The program below is the most common academic pathways into this field, ranked by how many graduates they produce each year.

Typical Entry Education Postsecondary nondegree award

Job Zone

Zone 3: Medium Preparation

A medium amount of preparation is required, often an associate degree, certificate program, or apprenticeship, plus some related experience.

Degree Programs That Lead Here

#	Program	Graduates/yr	4yr Median	Colleges
1	Library and Archives Assisting	485	—	37

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Top Colleges for Aspiring Library Technicians

Colleges offering the degree programs that lead to this career, ranked by UCD Score. A strong program plus solid outcomes is a good place to begin your search.

#	College	UCD Score	Net Price	Salary 10yr
1	Pasadena City College Pasadena, CA	82	$3,864	$43,937
2	Santa Ana College Santa Ana, CA	82	$3,133	$43,552
3	Tarrant County College District Fort Worth, TX	74	$4,337	$42,727
4	Diablo Valley College Pleasant Hill, CA	74	$8,312	$51,378
5	Central Carolina Community College Sanford, NC	72	$5,446	$33,525
6	Northeast Community College Norfolk, NE	71	$8,544	$42,634

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Plan Your Path

Once you've sized up Library Technicians, these tools turn the numbers into a plan. Estimate the real cost of a degree that leads here, weigh the long-term payoff, compare specific colleges side-by-side, and find programs that match your profile.

College ROI Calculator

See if the degree that leads to Library Technicians pays off. Weighs each college's cost against the earnings graduates see.

College Cost Calculator

Enter a budget and see the colleges whose net price fits, with the out-of-pocket cost and likely loan load for each.

Compare Colleges

Put any 2–4 colleges side-by-side. Admissions, cost, outcomes, and earnings, all on one screen, no tab-hopping.

College Match Quiz

Answer six quick questions and see your best-fit colleges ranked by budget, field of study, and what matters most to you.

Library Technicians Pros & Cons

Library Technicians has real financial strengths, but declining employment projections deserve careful consideration. The 1 upsides and 2 concerns below are all data-sourced.

PROS

Accessible entry path The typical entry requirement is a postsecondary nondegree award, lower than many comparable-paying careers. This creates a shorter path from training to first paycheck.

CONS

Below-average earnings Median pay of $44,580 falls below the national average for college graduates. ROI is weak at higher-cost programs. Prioritize schools with low net price.
Declining employment The BLS projects -6.8% employment change through 2034. This field is expected to shrink. Automation, offshoring, or structural industry change are likely factors.

Library Technicians Frequently Asked Questions

How much do Library Technicians professionals earn?

The national median annual wage for Library Technicians is $44,580, below the national median, program ROI depends heavily on keeping tuition costs low. The middle 50% of earners fall between $35,740 and $52,430. Pay varies by employer size, industry sector, specialization, and geography. National figures are a starting point, not a guarantee.

Is Library Technicians a good career?

With realistic expectations. The BLS projects -6.8% employment change through 2034. This field is shrinking, not expanding. The $44,580 median wage is competitive, but most openings come from retirements and exits rather than new positions. If you're drawn to this work, differentiate through a specialized niche or adjacent certification that keeps you relevant as the broader field contracts.

How do I become a Library Technicians?

Most Library Technicians positions require a postsecondary nondegree award as the minimum credential. a medium amount of preparation is required, often an associate degree, certificate program, or apprenticeship, plus some related experience. Programs like Library and Archives Assisting are common starting points.

Why are Library Technicians jobs declining?

The BLS projects -6.8% employment change for Library Technicians through 2034. Declining occupations typically face some combination of automation, industry consolidation, offshoring, or reduced consumer demand, rarely a single cause. Despite the overall decline, about 13,000 openings per year are still projected, mostly replacements for workers who retire or leave, not new positions. 69K people currently work in this field, so while it's contracting, active hiring still occurs. Specialization in high-value segments of the role gives the strongest protection.

What skills do Library Technicians professionals need?

O*NET data identifies the core skills employers consistently prioritize for Library Technicians roles: Reading Comprehension, Speaking, Active Listening, Service Orientation, and Critical Thinking. These develop through formal education and hands-on work. Programs with internship or co-op requirements give you a meaningful head start on the ones that take time to build.