Library and Archives Assisting graduates pursue 1 occupations, with top roles paying $44,580/yr or more. The career cards below break down wages, daily tasks, and 10-year job growth projections for each.
This page covers Library and Archives Assisting as a course of study: what it costs, where it is taught, and what graduates go on to earn. It sits inside the wider field of Library Science and how it pays overall, which is the better comparison if you are still choosing between subjects.
Library and Archives Assisting is a focused area of study within Library Science. You will not have trouble finding it: 37 colleges offer this program, from community colleges to research universities. About 485 students complete it each year, most walking away with a associate's. The focus is on writing, analysis, and communication that transfer across industries.
Colleges Offering
37
Graduates / Year
485
Avg Net Price / yr
$8,361
Who Studies This? Credential Breakdown
Of the 485 students who complete Library and Archives Assisting programs each year, the majority (71%) earn a associate's degree.
The breakdown below shows the full credential distribution.
71%
Associate's71%
Certificate17%
Doctorate12%
What Can You Do With a Library and Archives Assisting Degree?
This degree does not lock you into one job. Library and Archives Assisting graduates show up in 1 different occupations, and Library Technicians pay the most at $44,580/yr median. Expand any card below to see daily responsibilities, in-demand skills, and 10-year growth projections.
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.
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.
Top Colleges for Library and Archives Assisting
Not sure where to study Library and Archives Assisting? These 19 colleges graduate the most students in it each year. Scroll right to compare acceptance rate, net price, and median earnings side by side.
Ranked by Library and Archives Assisting graduate volume. Scroll right to compare key stats.
Read our methodology →
Related Library Science Programs
Library and Archives Assisting is not the only path through Library Science: 2 other specializations sit alongside it. The comparison below ranks them by 4-year median earnings so you can see where this one lands.
Decide with data, not guesswork. These tools turn the numbers on this page
into a personal plan. Estimate the real cost of a Library and Archives Assisting program, compare colleges side-by-side, weigh the long-term payoff, and find
schools that match your profile.
Library and Archives Assisting Degree: Pros & Cons
The data on Library and Archives Assisting shows 1 measurable strengths and 2 real trade-offs. All points are sourced from College Scorecard earnings, BLS projections, and IPEDS graduate counts.
PROS
Strong hiring volumeRelated occupations generate more than 10,800 job openings per year combined, creating consistent demand for graduates.
CONS
Declining roles in some areas1 related career show negative 10-year employment projections. Research specific roles before committing.
Limited program availabilityOnly 37 colleges offer this program nationally, which may limit geographic flexibility when choosing a school.
Library and Archives Assisting Degree: Frequently Asked Questions
What jobs can you get with a Library and Archives Assisting degree?
Library Technicians are one path, and it pays a median of $44,580 a year. It is not the only one: the Career Paths section below lists every occupation graduates actually go into, with wages and 10-year growth for each.
How long does a Library and Archives Assisting program take?
Two years full-time at a community college for a Library and Archives Assisting associate degree. Many students use it as a stepping stone, transferring to a four-year school afterward to finish a bachelor's.
How many colleges offer Library and Archives Assisting?
37 colleges and universities, so you are not short on options. That range runs from community colleges granting certificates and associate degrees to research universities with full doctoral tracks. Source: IPEDS.
What is the difference between Library and Archives Assisting and Library Science?
Library and Archives Assisting is the narrower of the two: Library Science covers the full discipline, while this program limits the curriculum to Library and Archives Assisting-specific courses, skills, and career tracks. Pick the specialization once you already know this is the direction you want; it gets you a more targeted credential, not a broader one.
What skills do employers look for in Library and Archives Assisting graduates?
Coursework alone will not get you hired. Employers hiring Library and Archives Assisting graduates consistently look for writing, critical analysis, and cross-cultural communication. Employers value the ability to synthesize complex information clearly, skills that transfer into communications, law, consulting, and content roles. Build those into your coursework and internships now, and the job search later gets easier.
Related Library Science Programs
Other programs in Library Science. Compare earnings, credentials, and career paths before committing to a specialization.
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