Occupations · Educational Instruction and Library

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.

O*NET 30.3 Database (USDOL/ETA) · occupation code 25-4031.00

$39,970median annual wage, May 2024

73,770people employed, United States

▼ 6.8%projected change, 2024→2034

13,000openings a year, incl. replacements

What it pays

A single “average salary” hides the spread. This is the whole distribution — the gap between the bottom and top bar is usually the number that matters.

BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2024 · national, cross-industry · annual wage

Pay over time

Median up 65% between 2003 and 2024, before inflation. The band shows the 10th to 90th percentile.

BLS OEWS, one release per year. Before May 2011 only national estimates were published, so geography detail starts there.

Where the jobs are

Metro area	Median wage	Employed
New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA	$47,370	3,180
Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV	$50,940	2,080
Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA	$48,850	2,040
Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN-WI	$44,570	1,800
Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX	$38,910	1,650
Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH	$56,180	1,280
Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA	$38,060	1,140
Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, TX	$37,630	1,130
Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA	$57,550	1,130
Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA	$55,230	1,120
Columbus, OH	$37,490	1,050
Denver-Aurora-Lakewood, CO	$44,940	1,000

BLS OEWS May 2024, metropolitan estimates · the 12 areas with the most people in this occupation

Typical education to enter: Postsecondary nondegree award · BLS Employment Projections 2024–34

What people in this job actually do

Ordered by how important the work is rated.

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.
Catalogue and sort books and other print and non-print materials according to procedure and return them to shelves, files, or other designated storage areas.
Enter and update patrons' records on computers.
Issue identification cards to borrowers.
Provide assistance to teachers and students by locating materials and helping to complete special projects.
Compile and maintain records relating to circulation, materials, and equipment.
Take actions to halt disruption of library activities by problem patrons.
Review subject matter of materials to be classified and select classification numbers and headings according to classification systems.

O*NET 30.3 task ratings, importance scale

Skills that matter most

Importance, rated 1 to 5.

Reading Comprehension3.4

Speaking3.2

Active Listening3.2

Learning Strategies3.0

Critical Thinking3.0

Active Learning2.9

Writing2.9

Monitoring2.9

Mathematics2.0

Science1.2

O*NET 30.3 skills, importance scale

Software and tools

A dot marks what O*NET flags as in demand.

Adobe Acrobat●Adobe Illustrator●Adobe InDesign●Adobe Photoshop●Microsoft Access●Microsoft Excel●Microsoft Office software●Microsoft Outlook●Microsoft PowerPoint●Microsoft Windows●Microsoft Word●Adobe DreamweaverDatabase softwareDynix Digital LibraryEmail softwareEx Libris Group AlephEx Libris Group VoyagerFileMaker ProHandyFile Find and Replace Text Aid KitInmagic TextWorksInnovative Interfaces MillenniumMicrosoft PublisherNational Library of Medicine DOCLINENational Library of Medicine MedlineOnline Computer Library Center (OCLC) databasesSirsiDynix SymphonyWeb browser softwareWebClarity Software BookWhere

O*NET 30.3 software skills · hot-technology flag

What this work is actually like

Conditions rated against the average across all occupations — only what makes this job different is listed.

3 / 5Medium preparation — vocational training or an associate degree, plus 1–2 years of work.

O*NET 30.3 Job Zones

Working conditions that stand out

Wear Common Protective or Safety Equipment such as Safety Shoes, Glasses, Gloves, Hearing Protection, Hard Hats, or Life Jackets−1.7 below average

Consequence of Error−1.0 below average

Indoors, Environmentally Controlled+1.0 above average

Health and Safety of Other Workers−0.9 below average

Importance of Repeating Same Tasks+0.9 above average

Exposed to Hazardous Equipment−0.9 below average

Exposed to Very Hot or Cold Temperatures−0.9 below average

O*NET 30.3 work context, frequency scale · observed 2017-07

How people actually get in

Share of workers by the education they hold.

Bachelor's Degree30%

Associate's Degree (or other 2-year degree)28%

Post-Secondary Certificate - awarded for training completed after high school (for example, in agriculture or natural resources, computer services, personal or culinary services, engineering technologies, healthcare, construction trades, mechanic and repair technologies, or precision production)17%

High School Diploma - or the equivalent (for example, GED)15%

O*NET 30.2 education, training and experience · observed 2017-07

What kind of person the work suits

Occupational interest profile, rated 1 to 7.

Conventional6.5

Social4.1

Realistic3.1

O*NET 30.2 occupational interests (RIASEC)

Tasks O*NET flags as emerging

Open and close the library.

O*NET 30.3 emerging tasks

What you take with you

Skills rated for how well they transfer into other occupations.

Service Orientation3.1

Coordination3.0

Social Perceptiveness3.0

Judgment and Decision Making2.9

Time Management2.8

Management of Personnel Resources2.8

Instructing2.6

Complex Problem Solving2.5

O*NET 30.3 transferable skills, importance scale

Knowledge the work draws on

Customer and Personal ServiceEnglish LanguageAdministrativeComputers and ElectronicsEducation and TrainingCommunications and Media

Abilities it leans on

Oral ExpressionOral ComprehensionSpeech ClaritySpeech RecognitionNear VisionWritten Comprehension

O*NET 30.3 abilities and knowledge, importance scale

How this job is advertised

The same work is posted under many titles — this is what to search for.

StackerShelverClassifierBook SorterAccessionerLibrary PageBook ShelverLibrary AideBibliographerLibrary ClerkLibrary MonitorPage TechnicianLoan TechnicianStack Attendant

O*NET 30.3 job titles reported for this occupation

Get this as a personal report

The same sourced evidence, recut for the closest published view of your city, state or industry, as a dated PDF.

Free page vs. the $29 report

The page above is a public national reference: it is the same for every reader. The $29 report uses the location or industry you name, states the exact BLS cut used, and packages five decision-focused sections as a PDF. Choose $49 when you need a broader comparison of industries, places, changes and next moves.

$29Occupation reportPay where you are, conditions, preparation, education, what you carry into another job.$49Professional reportAdds two decades of pay, industries, geography, what changed, adjacent occupations and what to study.$99International offerAdds named employers and their actual rates from visa filings, the seniority pay ladder and the cities that hire.

Compare the three reports

What you learn	$29	$49	$99
What it pays in your city and industry	✓	✓	✓
Working conditions, preparation, education	✓	✓	✓
What you carry into another occupation	✓	✓	✓
What this job is called in postings	✓	✓	✓
How pay changed over the years	brief	✓	✓
Where the industry changes the number	—	✓	✓
Where the work actually is	—	✓	✓
What appeared and disappeared in the job	—	✓	✓
How long it takes to become competent	—	✓	✓
Where to move next and what to learn	—	✓	✓
What to study to get in	—	✓	✓
What the same work pays in Britain	—	—	✓
What the same work pays in Canada	—	—	✓
Who hires, by name, and at what rates	—	—	✓
The money ladder by skill level	—	—	✓
Cities that actually sponsor visas	—	—	✓
Sections in the report	5	12	19
Who it is for	If you are deciding whether this work is worth your time.	If you are in the occupation and deciding where to move next.	If you are aiming for an offer abroad.

EmailNameCity or stateIndustry (optional)

What decision are you making? (optional)

No payment is taken now. We reply with a secure payment link.

What changed since 2015

Comparing O*NET release 20.1 (2015-10-01) with 30.3 (2026-05-01). Signs, not colour alone, carry the meaning. 1 entries that were only relabelled between releases are left out.

Now listed 9

+Adobe InDesign+Microsoft Outlook+Adobe Acrobat+Adobe Illustrator+Adobe Dreamweaver+Adobe Photoshop+Microsoft Publisher+Microsoft Windows+Online Computer Library Center (OCLC) databases

No longer listed 3

−Adobe Systems Adobe Dreamweaver−Online Computer Library Center OCLC−Adobe Systems Adobe Acrobat software

Diff across the O*NET releases held here in full since October 2015, following occupations through merges and retirements. O*NET re-surveys occupations on a rolling cycle, so “no change” can also mean “not re-surveyed”.

O*NET 30.3 related occupations

Also called

StackerShelverClassifierAccessionerBook SorterLibrary AideLibrary PageBook ShelverBibliographerLibrary ClerkLoan TechnicianStack Attendant

O*NET 30.3 alternative titles

The same work in Europe

ESCO occupation	ISCO	Match
library assistant	4411.1	exact

Official ESCO ↔ O*NET crosswalk (ESCO Secretariat with USDOL/ETA)

Keep exploring

See labor-market evidence in motion.

Watch short Tamhu stories about pay, growth and how work changes — then return to the source data here.

Watch on YouTube →

Watch this occupation

This job has changed before and it will change again. We'll email you when the data moves — a tool appears, a skill gains weight, the pay distribution shifts. Free, and one click to stop.

Check your inbox — your watch starts only after you confirm.

We send data, not advice. No sharing, no resale. Privacy