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Library assistant: pay, job outlook and how to become one

Updated October 26, 2026. Based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and O*NET data. Published by Humblebee.

$36,910median pay per year, or $17.74 an hour, May 2025[1]
  1. $27,730lowest 10% earn less
  2. $31,82025th percentile
  3. $36,910median
  4. $45,62075th percentile
  5. $55,310top 10% earn more
Middle half of workers in the inner band[3]Median for all US jobs, $50,980[4]

Library assistants, clerical earned a median of $36,910 a year in May 2025[1]. Employment is projected to shrink 6.4% by 2035, but openings still come up every year[2].

Job growth, 2025–35
-6.4%[5]
Openings per year
12,300[2]
Typical entry education
High school diploma or equivalent[6]

How much do library assistants make?

The median wage for Library Assistants, Clerical was $36,910 a year, or $17.74 an hour, in May 2025[1]. Half of workers earned more and half earned less[1]. The average was $39,370 a year, or $18.93 an hour[7].

For comparison, the median for all occupations in the US was $50,980[4]. So the median for this job sits well under the all-occupations figure.

The pay range is fairly wide:

Point in the range Annual Hourly
10th percentile[3][8] $27,730 $13.33
25th percentile[3][8] $31,820 $15.30
Median[1] $36,910 $17.74
75th percentile[3][8] $45,620 $21.93
90th percentile[3][8] $55,310 $26.59

A percentile is a boundary. The lowest-paid 10% earned less than $27,730, and the highest-paid 10% earned more than $55,310[3][9]. BLS publishes percentile wages, not a starting salary[9].

These figures cover about 85,520 wage and salary jobs[10]. They leave out the self-employed, bonuses and the cost of benefits such as health insurance[11].

Pay by state and city

Among the 49 states and DC with published data, the District of Columbia had the highest median at $59,390, though it had only 100 jobs[12]. California came next at $47,860, then Washington at $47,540[12]. Alabama had the lowest listed median at $27,530[12].

San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA had the highest metro median at $63,000, followed by San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA at $62,780[13].

California had the most jobs, with 11,170, followed by New York with 8,010 and Illinois with 6,620[14]. The New York-Newark-Jersey City metro area had the most jobs of any metro, at 7,080[15].

Show median pay in 49 states and DC
StateMedian per yearJobs
District of Columbia[12]$59,390100
California$47,86011,170
Washington$47,5402,810
Nevada$46,620660
Maryland$45,910730
Alaska$44,800180
Massachusetts$42,5202,840
Oregon$42,2701,090
Minnesota$39,9701,770
New Jersey$39,7803,120
Wisconsin$39,6101,570
Connecticut$39,1001,810
Montana$39,070160
Arizona$38,1101,560
Wyoming$38,040n/a
Virginia$38,0202,170
Maine$37,890540
Florida$37,8803,630
Tennessee$37,4101,110
New Hampshire$37,400990
Hawaii$37,110370
Delaware$37,090270
Rhode Island$36,610510
Vermont$36,430350
Georgia$36,410610
Colorado$36,130470
New York$35,9908,010
New Mexico$35,250150
Illinois$34,6806,620
North Carolina$34,5501,330
North Dakota$34,53060
Michigan$34,5103,470
South Carolina$33,980960
Idaho$33,960920
Missouri$33,7601,610
Kentucky$33,6901,050
Ohio$33,4805,240
Utah$32,690820
Kansas$31,5501,380
Texas$31,2001,600
Arkansas$31,100390
West Virginia$30,800450
Pennsylvania$30,6903,930
Oklahoma$29,640800
Louisiana$29,620720
Iowa$29,4801,700
Indiana$28,9001,830
Mississippi$28,110440
Nebraska$28,080310
Alabama$27,530900

How to become a library assistant

The path is short, and the facts list no related work experience as a requirement[6].

The Occupational Outlook Handbook profile covers a wider group, library technicians and assistants together[19]. Technicians typically need a postsecondary certificate, while assistants typically need a high school diploma or equivalent[20].

In an O*NET survey of 31 workers, 50% said a high school diploma or equivalent was the education required, 14% said some college courses, 12% said an associate's degree, 11% said a postsecondary certificate and 9% said less than a high school diploma[21].

The handbook lists skills that help: clear communication, close attention to detail, getting along with patrons and staff, and listening[22][23][24][25].

What library assistants do

O*NET describes the job as keeping library records and handling materials such as books, electronic media and pictures, and helping patrons borrow them[26]. Typical tasks include:

Workers report job titles such as library aide, library clerk and library circulation assistant[28].

Where they work

The handbook profile covers the wider group of technicians and assistants[19]. They generally work indoors, often at public service desks or computer terminals[29]. They may also spend time in the stacks reshelving, which can mean bending or stretching[29].

Local government outside education and hospitals was the largest employer of this wider group, at 63%[30]. Many in the group work part time[31]. Schedules depend on the library. School libraries run on school hours, while public or college libraries may need weekend, evening and some holiday work[31].

Job outlook

BLS projects employment of Library Assistants, Clerical to fall 6.4% from 2025 to 2035, from about 89,500 to 83,800 jobs[5]. All occupations together are projected to grow 3.5%[32]. BLS ties the decline to patrons using programs, digital books, audiobooks and other resources that do not need a library assistant[33].

Jobs still open up. BLS projects about 12,300 openings a year on average from 2025 to 2035[2]. Those openings include jobs left by people who retire or switch occupations, as well as new jobs[2]. Each year, 7.7% of workers leave the labor force and 7.1% move to a different occupation[34].

The projection counts include self-employed workers, so they differ from the count of wage and salary jobs in the pay data[5][10].

Is it a good fit?

The facts point to a job with a low barrier to entry. It needs a high school diploma or equivalent and short-term on-the-job training[6]. Pay is below the all-occupations median, at $36,910 against $50,980[1][4]. Pay varies by place, and the median reached $47,860 in California[12]. Employment is projected to decline, though turnover still creates about 12,300 openings a year[5][2]. Someone who wants to move up would look at supervisor roles or, with a master's degree, librarian work[18].

Related occupations from O*NET, with BLS median pay and projected growth[35].

Frequently asked questions

How much does a library assistant make an hour?
The median was $17.74 an hour in May 2025[1]. The lowest-paid 10% earned less than $13.33 and the highest-paid 10% earned more than $26.59[1][8][9].
What education do you need to be a library assistant?
A high school diploma or equivalent is the typical entry education, with no related experience needed[6].
How long does it take to become a library assistant?
BLS lists short-term on-the-job training after you are hired[6][17].
Is library assistant a growing job?
No. Employment is projected to fall 6.4% from 2025 to 2035[5], against 3.5% growth for all occupations[32]. About 12,300 openings a year are still projected[5][32][2].
What is the highest paying state for library assistants?
The District of Columbia had the highest median at $59,390, and California was the highest state at $47,860[12].

Facts and sources

  1. BLS OEWS, May 2025: the median wage for Library Assistants, Clerical in the US was $36,910 per year and $17.74 per hour. Half of workers earned more and half earned less. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  2. BLS Employment Projections: about 12,300 openings for Library Assistants, Clerical are projected each year, on average, from 2025 to 2035. Openings include jobs that open when workers retire or move to other occupations, not only new jobs. BLS Employment Projections
  3. BLS OEWS, May 2025, annual wage percentiles for Library Assistants, Clerical: 10th percentile $27,730, 25th percentile $31,820, 75th percentile $45,620, 90th percentile $55,310. The 10th percentile means 10% of workers earned less. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  4. BLS OEWS, May 2025: the median annual wage for all occupations in the US was $50,980. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  5. BLS Employment Projections: employment of Library Assistants, Clerical is projected to decline 6.4% from 2025 to 2035, from about 89,500 to 83,800 jobs (a change of -5,700). These counts include self-employed workers. BLS Employment Projections
  6. BLS Employment Projections, typical path into Library Assistants, Clerical: education needed for entry: High school diploma or equivalent; work experience in a related occupation: None; typical on-the-job training: Short-term on-the-job training. BLS Employment Projections
  7. BLS OEWS, May 2025: the mean (average) wage for Library Assistants, Clerical was $39,370 per year and $18.93 per hour. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  8. BLS OEWS, May 2025, hourly wage percentiles for Library Assistants, Clerical: 10th percentile $13.33, 25th percentile $15.30, 75th percentile $21.93, 90th percentile $26.59. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  9. BLS OEWS FAQ: a percentile wage is a boundary. The median (50th percentile) separates the highest-paid 50% from the lowest-paid 50% of workers in the occupation. OEWS publishes percentile wages, not a starting salary. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  10. BLS OEWS, May 2025: about 85,520 people were employed as Library Assistants, Clerical in the US (wage and salary jobs, not counting self-employed workers). BLS OEWS, May 2025
  11. BLS OEWS FAQ: OEWS covers part-time and full-time workers paid a wage or salary. It does not cover the self-employed, owners and partners in unincorporated firms, household workers or unpaid family workers. OEWS wages do not include nonproduction bonuses or employer costs of benefits such as health insurance or retirement contributions. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  12. Median annual wage for Library Assistants, Clerical in every state with published data, May 2025 (table on this page). BLS OEWS, May 2025
  13. BLS OEWS, May 2025, metro areas with the highest median annual wage for Library Assistants, Clerical (areas with at least 100 jobs): San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $63,000; San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA $62,780; Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA $54,590; Kennewick-Richland, WA $51,460; San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA $50,940; Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA $50,560; Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA $48,890; Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA $48,470. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  14. BLS OEWS, May 2025, states with the most Library Assistants, Clerical jobs: California 11,170; New York 8,010; Illinois 6,620; Ohio 5,240; Pennsylvania 3,930. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  15. BLS OEWS, May 2025, metro areas with the most Library Assistants, Clerical jobs: New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ 7,080 (median $37,860); Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN 4,420 (median $35,160); Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA 3,840 (median $47,770); Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH 2,130 (median $45,890); San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA 1,720 (median $63,000); Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD 1,690 (median $37,350). BLS OEWS, May 2025
  16. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Education. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  17. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Training. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  18. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Advancement. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  19. The BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook profile "Library Technicians and Assistants" covers Library Assistants, Clerical together with other related occupations, so its text describes the wider group. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  20. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  21. O*NET 43-4121.00 survey of workers (31 respondents), education level they say is required: High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED) 50%, Some College Courses 14%, Associate's Degree or other 2-year degree 12%, Post-Secondary Certificate 11%, Less than a High School Diploma 9% (levels under 5% not listed). O*NET OnLine
  22. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Important Qualities. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  23. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Important Qualities. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  24. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Important Qualities. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  25. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Important Qualities. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  26. O*NET description of Library Assistants, Clerical. O*NET OnLine
  27. O*NET task list for Library Assistants, Clerical. O*NET OnLine
  28. O*NET 43-4121.00 sample job titles reported by workers: Acquisitions Assistant, Cataloging Assistant, Library Aide, Library Assistant, Library Associate, Library Circulation Assistant, Library Clerical Assistant, Library Clerk. O*NET OnLine
  29. Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  30. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, largest employers of library technicians and assistants in 2025: Local government, excluding education and hospitals 63%. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  31. Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment: Work Schedules. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  32. BLS Employment Projections: employment in all occupations is projected to grow 3.5% from 2025 to 2035. BLS Employment Projections
  33. BLS Employment Projections, factor affecting employment of Library Assistants, Clerical: Demand change - share decreases as library patrons utilize resources and materials that do not require library assistants, such as programs, digital books and audiobooks, and other physical technologies. BLS Employment Projections
  34. BLS Employment Projections, 2025-35 annual average for Library Assistants, Clerical: 7.7% of workers leave the labor force each year and 7.1% move to a different occupation. BLS Employment Projections
  35. Related occupations (O*NET) with BLS pay, growth and entry education. O*NET OnLine

Notes are for reading the data only. They are not facts and cannot be cited: use the wage_scope and percentile_meaning facts instead. OEWS employment (jobs in May 2025) and Employment Projections employment (2025, includes self-employed) are different measures and can differ. O*NET education shares come from a small survey of workers in the occupation, not from all workers. The Occupational Outlook Handbook text covers a wider group of occupations than this page.

This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. CareerFacts has modified all or some of this information. USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.