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Library technician: pay, job outlook and how to become one
- $29,300lowest 10% earn less
- $35,74025th percentile
- $44,580median
- $52,43075th percentile
- $63,080top 10% earn more
Library technicians earned a median of $44,580 a year in May 2025[1]. Jobs are projected to shrink 6.4% from 2025 to 2035[2].
- Job growth, 2025–35
- -6.4%[2]
- Openings per year
- 10,800[5]
- Typical entry education
- Postsecondary nondegree award[6]
How much do library technicians make?
The median library technician wage was $44,580 a year, or $21.43 an hour[1]. Half of workers earned more and half earned less. The average was $45,500 a year, or $21.88 an hour[7]. For comparison, the median for all occupations was $50,980 a year[4].
Here is how annual pay spread out across the job in May 2025:
| Percentile | Annual wage | Hourly wage |
|---|---|---|
| 10th[3][8] | $29,300 | $14.09 |
| 25th[3][8] | $35,740 | $17.18 |
| 75th[3][8] | $52,430 | $25.21 |
| 90th[3][8] | $63,080 | $30.33 |
A percentile is a boundary. For example, the lowest-paid 10% of workers earned less than $29,300[3]. BLS publishes percentile wages, not a starting salary[9].
These figures come from a survey of wage and salary jobs. They leave out the self-employed and do not include bonuses or the cost of benefits[10]. About 68,690 people held these jobs[11].
Pay by state and city
Washington had the highest median wage among the states at $62,570, followed by the District of Columbia at $61,040 and Connecticut at $57,060[12]. Wyoming had the lowest listed median at $26,850[12].
California had the most jobs with 7,190, followed by Texas, Ohio, New York and Florida[13].
Among metro areas with at least 100 jobs, Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA led on pay at $65,690[14]. New Haven, CT came next at $63,970, then San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA at $63,690[14]. The New York-Newark-Jersey City area had the most jobs with 2,850 and a median of $52,040[15].
Show median pay in 50 states and DC
| State | Median per year | Jobs |
|---|---|---|
| Washington[12] | $62,570 | 1,850 |
| District of Columbia | $61,040 | 390 |
| Connecticut | $57,060 | 930 |
| California | $53,260 | 7,190 |
| Minnesota | $51,110 | 1,180 |
| Hawaii | $50,870 | 110 |
| Massachusetts | $50,430 | 1,910 |
| Vermont | $50,090 | 150 |
| New York | $50,060 | 3,390 |
| Oregon | $49,970 | 1,810 |
| Maryland | $48,920 | 1,980 |
| New Jersey | $48,840 | 1,060 |
| Rhode Island | $48,740 | 160 |
| New Hampshire | $48,650 | 280 |
| Delaware | $47,580 | 210 |
| Illinois | $47,120 | 2,140 |
| Alaska | $46,940 | 220 |
| Colorado | $46,680 | 2,250 |
| North Carolina | $46,520 | 2,350 |
| Pennsylvania | $46,100 | 1,560 |
| Nevada | $45,650 | 410 |
| Virginia | $45,560 | 2,580 |
| Maine | $44,520 | 320 |
| Kansas | $41,960 | 480 |
| Florida | $41,080 | 3,070 |
| Arizona | $40,510 | 820 |
| Utah | $40,160 | 310 |
| North Dakota | $39,240 | 370 |
| Louisiana | $39,180 | 1,410 |
| Missouri | $39,160 | 1,360 |
| New Mexico | $38,830 | 540 |
| Texas | $38,640 | 5,180 |
| Iowa | $38,590 | 1,510 |
| Montana | $38,220 | 370 |
| Ohio | $37,920 | 4,020 |
| Georgia | $37,320 | 2,130 |
| Alabama | $37,150 | 390 |
| Nebraska | $36,920 | 710 |
| Tennessee | $36,400 | 390 |
| South Carolina | $36,070 | 650 |
| Kentucky | $35,700 | 670 |
| Indiana | $35,560 | 1,470 |
| Wisconsin | $35,000 | 2,890 |
| Michigan | $34,680 | 2,180 |
| Idaho | $34,510 | 520 |
| West Virginia | $30,300 | 280 |
| South Dakota | $29,590 | 650 |
| Oklahoma | $29,440 | 830 |
| Arkansas | $28,570 | 390 |
| Mississippi | $27,080 | 270 |
| Wyoming | $26,850 | 400 |
How to become a library technician
The profile BLS uses for training details covers a wider group of related jobs, so some of this describes library assistants as well[16].
- First: plan for a postsecondary certificate. BLS lists a postsecondary nondegree award as the typical education for entry[6]. The profile says this is a certificate in library technology[17].
- Next: know that experience is not usually required. BLS lists no related work experience and no on-the-job training as typical for technicians[6].
- Then: look at the coursework. It may include acquisitions, cataloguing, circulation, reference and automated library systems[17].
- Later: think about moving up. Technicians may become supervisors who oversee daily library operations. Becoming a librarian takes a master's degree in library science[18].
In an O*NET survey of 28 workers, 30% said a bachelor's degree was required[19]. Another 28% said an associate's degree[19]. Also, 17% named a post-secondary certificate and 15% named a high school diploma or the equivalent[19]. The survey is small, so treat it as a rough picture.
Important qualities include clear communication, close attention to detail and working well with patrons, librarians and teachers[20][21][22].
What library technicians do
Library technicians help librarians and library visitors[23]. Tasks reported to O*NET include:
- Checking materials out, renewing them and checking them back in[24].
- Answering routine questions by phone or in person and passing harder ones to librarians[24].
- Helping patrons find and use reference materials, computers and other resources[24].
- Carrying items around the library by hand or on a pushcart[24].
- Preparing, cataloguing and sorting materials and returning them to shelves[24].
- Updating patron records and keeping circulation records on computers[24].
- Helping teachers and students find materials for projects[24].
- Stepping in when a problem patron disrupts library activities[24].
Workers reported job titles such as library aide, library assistant, library clerk and library media technician[25].
Where they work
Library technicians and assistants generally work indoors. Much of their day is spent at public service desks or computer terminals. Some of it is spent in the stacks putting books back on shelves[26]. Local government, not counting schools and hospitals, was the largest employer of library technicians and assistants in 2025, at 57%[27].
Part-time work is common. Schedules depend on the library. School libraries keep school hours, while public and college libraries may need weekend, evening and some holiday work[28].
Job outlook
BLS projects library technician employment to decline 6.4% from 2025 to 2035, from about 72,800 jobs to 68,100[2]. Employment in all occupations is projected to grow 3.5% over the same period[29]. These counts include self-employed workers[2].
Even so, BLS expects about 10,800 openings a year on average[5]. Openings include jobs that come up when people retire or switch occupations, not only new jobs[5]. Each year, 8.3% of workers leave the labor force and 7.7% move to a different occupation[30].
Is it a good fit?
The median pay of $44,580 is below the all-occupations median of $50,980, and the range from $29,300 to $63,080 is wide[1][3][4]. Entry usually calls for a postsecondary certificate and no work experience[6]. Jobs are projected to shrink, but openings still come up each year as people leave[2][5]. Pay also differs a lot by state, so local figures matter[12].
Frequently asked questions
- How much does a library technician make an hour?
- The median was $21.43 an hour in May 2025[1]. The lowest-paid 10% earned less than $14.09 and the highest-paid 10% earned more than $30.33[1][8].
- What education do you need to be a library technician?
- BLS lists a postsecondary nondegree award as the typical entry education[6]. The OOH profile says this is a certificate in library technology[17].
- Are library technicians in demand?
- Employment is projected to decline 6.4% from 2025 to 2035, but about 10,800 openings are expected each year[2][5].
- What is the highest paying state for library technicians?
- Washington had the highest median at $62,570 a year, followed by the District of Columbia at $61,040[12].
Facts and sources
- BLS OEWS, May 2025: the median wage for Library Technicians in the US was $44,580 per year and $21.43 per hour. Half of workers earned more and half earned less. BLS OEWS, May 2025
- BLS Employment Projections: employment of Library Technicians is projected to decline 6.4% from 2025 to 2035, from about 72,800 to 68,100 jobs (a change of -4,600). These counts include self-employed workers. BLS Employment Projections
- BLS OEWS, May 2025, annual wage percentiles for Library Technicians: 10th percentile $29,300, 25th percentile $35,740, 75th percentile $52,430, 90th percentile $63,080. The 10th percentile means 10% of workers earned less. BLS OEWS, May 2025
- BLS OEWS, May 2025: the median annual wage for all occupations in the US was $50,980. BLS OEWS, May 2025
- BLS Employment Projections: about 10,800 openings for Library Technicians 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
- BLS Employment Projections, typical path into Library Technicians: education needed for entry: Postsecondary nondegree award; work experience in a related occupation: None; typical on-the-job training: None. BLS Employment Projections
- BLS OEWS, May 2025: the mean (average) wage for Library Technicians was $45,500 per year and $21.88 per hour. BLS OEWS, May 2025
- BLS OEWS, May 2025, hourly wage percentiles for Library Technicians: 10th percentile $14.09, 25th percentile $17.18, 75th percentile $25.21, 90th percentile $30.33. BLS OEWS, May 2025
- 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
- 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
- BLS OEWS, May 2025: about 68,690 people were employed as Library Technicians in the US (wage and salary jobs, not counting self-employed workers). BLS OEWS, May 2025
- Median annual wage for Library Technicians in every state with published data, May 2025 (table on this page). BLS OEWS, May 2025
- BLS OEWS, May 2025, states with the most Library Technicians jobs: California 7,190; Texas 5,180; Ohio 4,020; New York 3,390; Florida 3,070. BLS OEWS, May 2025
- BLS OEWS, May 2025, metro areas with the highest median annual wage for Library Technicians (areas with at least 100 jobs): Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA $65,690; New Haven, CT $63,970; San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $63,690; San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA $62,550; Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA $61,470; Syracuse, NY $58,520; Hartford-West Hartford-East Hartford, CT $58,380; Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH $57,330. BLS OEWS, May 2025
- BLS OEWS, May 2025, metro areas with the most Library Technicians jobs: New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ 2,850 (median $52,040); Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV 2,060 (median $57,290); Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA 1,940 (median $49,980); Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN 1,520 (median $47,100); Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX 1,510 (median $40,740); Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA 1,350 (median $39,390). BLS OEWS, May 2025
- The BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook profile "Library Technicians and Assistants" covers Library Technicians together with other related occupations, so its text describes the wider group. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Education. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Advancement. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- O*NET 25-4031.00 survey of workers (28 respondents), education level they say is required: Bachelor's Degree 30%, Associate's Degree or other 2-year degree 28%, Post-Secondary Certificate 17%, High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED) 15%, Some College Courses 9% (levels under 5% not listed). O*NET OnLine
- Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Important Qualities. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Important Qualities. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Important Qualities. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- O*NET description of Library Technicians. O*NET OnLine
- O*NET task list for Library Technicians. O*NET OnLine
- O*NET 25-4031.00 sample job titles reported by workers: Circulation Clerk, Library Aide, Library Assistant, Library Associate, Library Clerk, Library Media Technician, Library Specialist, Library Technical Assistant (LTA). O*NET OnLine
- Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, largest employers of library technicians and assistants in 2025: Local government, excluding education and hospitals 57%. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment: Work Schedules. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- BLS Employment Projections: employment in all occupations is projected to grow 3.5% from 2025 to 2035. BLS Employment Projections
- BLS Employment Projections, 2025-35 annual average for Library Technicians: 8.3% of workers leave the labor force each year and 7.7% move to a different occupation. BLS Employment Projections
- Related occupations (O*NET) with BLS pay, growth and entry education. O*NET OnLine
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.