HUMANITIES Specialization

Library and Archives Assisting

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.

About Library and Archives Assisting

Library and Archives Assisting is a focused area of study within Library Science. The program is available at 37 colleges across the U.S., from community colleges to research universities. About 485 students complete this program each year, most earning 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.

Associate's 71%
Certificate 17%
Doctorate 12%

What Can You Do With a Library and Archives Assisting Degree?

Library and Archives Assisting connects to 1 occupations in the job market. Library Technicians leads at $44,580/yr median. Expand any card to see daily responsibilities, in-demand skills, and 10-year growth projections.

↘ -6.8% Zone 3: Medium preparation
$44,580
$36K $52K 25th–75th pct.
Postsecondary nondegree award 13,000 openings/yr 69K employed nationally
Reading Comprehension Speaking Active Listening Service Orientation Critical Thinking
Day-to-day responsibilities

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

The 19 colleges below are ranked by how many Library and Archives Assisting students they graduate each year. Scroll right to compare acceptance rate, net price, and median earnings side by side.

# College Graduates Acceptance Net Price/yr Earnings 10yr
1 Cuesta College San Luis Obispo, CA · Public 44 Open $12,124 $46,047
2 College of DuPage Glen Ellyn, IL · Public 25 Open $7,401 $46,909
3 Ivy Tech Community College Indianapolis, IN · Public 16 Open $7,258 $37,186
4 Central Carolina Community College Sanford, NC · Public 12 Open $5,446 $33,525
5 Connecticut State Community College New Britain, CT · Public 11 Open $11,513 $41,344
6 San Bernardino Valley College San Bernardino, CA · Public 11 Open $18,943 $39,676
7 Tarrant County College District Fort Worth, TX · Public 10 Open $4,337 $42,727
8 Long Beach City College Long Beach, CA · Public 9 Open $6,202 $38,870
9 Palomar College San Marcos, CA · Public 7 Open $5,763 $42,300
10 City College of San Francisco San Francisco, CA · Public 7 Open $6,906 $45,805
11 Oakland Community College Auburn Hills, MI · Public 6 Open $5,777 $37,395
12 Minneapolis Community and Technical College Minneapolis, MN · Public 6 Open $13,812 $40,086
13 Sacramento City College Sacramento, CA · Public 5 Open $6,614 $42,214
14 Diablo Valley College Pleasant Hill, CA · Public 5 Open $8,312 $51,378
15 Western Dakota Technical College Rapid City, SD · Public 4 Open $12,670 $40,240
16 City Colleges of Chicago-Wilbur Wright College Chicago, IL · Public 2 Open $6,375 $41,625
17 Belmont College St Clairsville, OH · Public 2 Open $6,995 $35,329
18 Pasadena City College Pasadena, CA · Public 1 Open $3,864 $43,937
19 Northeast Community College Norfolk, NE · Public 1 Open $8,544 $42,634

Ranked by Library and Archives Assisting graduate volume. Scroll right to compare key stats. Read our methodology →

Plan Your Path

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 volume Related occupations generate more than 13,000 job openings per year combined, creating consistent demand for graduates.
CONS
  • Declining roles in some areas 1 related career show negative 10-year employment projections. Research specific roles before committing.
  • Limited program availability Only 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 and Archives Assisting degree holders pursue careers including Library Technicians, which pays a median of $44,580/yr. Scroll down to the Career Paths section to see wages and job growth projections for every related occupation.
How long does a Library and Archives Assisting program take?
A Library and Archives Assisting associate degree typically takes two years full-time at a community college. Many students transfer to a four-year university afterward to complete a bachelor's.
How many colleges offer Library and Archives Assisting?
37 colleges and universities in the United States offer Library and Archives Assisting programs. Options range from community colleges with certificates and associate degrees to research universities with doctoral tracks.
What is the difference between Library and Archives Assisting and Library Science?
Library and Archives Assisting is a focused concentration within the broader Library Science field. The Library Science major covers the full discipline; this program narrows the curriculum to Library and Archives Assisting-specific courses, skills, and career tracks. If you already know this is the direction you want, the specialized program gives you a more targeted credential.
What skills do employers look for in Library and Archives Assisting graduates?
Employers hiring Library and Archives Assisting graduates consistently prioritize 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.

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