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.
Library Technicians
SOC: 25-4031 O*NET: 25-4031.00
Median Salary
$39,970
per year
Job Growth
📉 -6.8%
Slower (2024-2034)
Annual Openings
13
projected jobs/year
Education Level
Vocational school, on-the-job training, or associate degree
Job Zone 3
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.
What does a Library Technicians do?
How much can you earn?
Entry Level
$27,890
10th percentile
Early Career
$33,510
25th percentile
Median
$39,970
50th percentile
Experienced
$49,740
75th percentile
Top Earners
$60,960
90th percentile
National Salary Distribution
10th
$27,890
25th
$33,510
Middle 50%
MEDIAN
$39,970
Mean: $43,050
75th
$49,740
90th
$60,960
Middle 50% of earners
Median salary
Mean (average)
Key Insights
- •Salary range spans $33,070 from entry level to top earners
- •Middle 50% earn between $33,510 and $49,740
- •Salary spread is 40.6% around the median, showing high variation
- •Total national employment: 73,770 professionals
What's the job outlook?
Job Market Intelligence
Low Demand
Market demand
Medium Risk
Automation risk
Current Employment
National Employment:78,600
Top Industries
Information6.2%
Web Search Portals, Libraries, Archives, and Other Information Services5.9%
Web Search Portals, Libraries, Archives, and Other Information Services5.9%
10-Year Outlook
Growth Rate:-6.8%
Annual Openings:13,000
Employment Projections
2024 (Current)78,600
Current
2034 (Projected)73,200
-6.8%
-5,400
Employment Change
-6.8%
Growth Rate
10
Year Projection
Growth Category: Decline
Geographic Salary & Employment Data
Explore where Library Technicians professionals work across the United States
Showing 15 of 50 locations
California
7,760 jobs$51,2900.90x
Texas
5,160 jobs$37,9200.78x
Ohio
5,090 jobs$35,2301.92x
New York
4,070 jobs$46,7000.89x
Florida
3,610 jobs$38,8100.77x
Wisconsin
2,780 jobs$33,0301.99x
Virginia
2,690 jobs$45,1401.38x
Colorado
2,560 jobs$44,8701.85x
Illinois
2,540 jobs$43,9200.87x
North Carolina
2,450 jobs$44,8001.05x
Michigan
2,230 jobs$34,3201.06x
Massachusetts
1,910 jobs$49,6501.09x
Oregon
1,900 jobs$46,9502.02x
Georgia
1,880 jobs$36,6500.81x
Pennsylvania
1,820 jobs$38,1500.63x
Understanding the Data
Location Quotient (LQ):
- • LQ > 1.0: More jobs than national average
- • LQ = 1.0: Same as national average
- • LQ < 1.0: Fewer jobs than national average
Data Source:
Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2024
Key Growth Factors
- •Employment decline projected
What skills do you need?
Top 10 Most Important Skills
#1
Reading Comprehension
100%
#2
Active Listening
92%
#3
Speaking
82%
#4
Service Orientation
74%
#5
Learning Strategies
66%
#6
Social Perceptiveness
58%
#7
Critical Thinking
48%
#8
Coordination
40%
Skills Overview
Reading Comprehension
advanced5.0
100%
Active Listening
advanced4.6
92%
Speaking
intermediate4.1
82%
Service Orientation
intermediate3.7
74%
Learning Strategies
intermediate3.3
66%
Social Perceptiveness
basic2.9
58%
Critical Thinking
basic2.4
48%
Coordination
basic2.0
40%
Skills are rated on a scale of 0-5, with 5 being the most important. The complexity level indicates how advanced the skill typically needs to be.
Filter:
Sort by:
Reading Comprehension
advancedImportance100%
abilities
5.0/5.0
Active Listening
advancedImportance92%
skills
4.6/5.0
Speaking
intermediateImportance82%
skills
4.1/5.0
Service Orientation
intermediateImportance74%
skills
3.7/5.0
Learning Strategies
intermediateImportance66%
skills
3.3/5.0
Social Perceptiveness
basicImportance58%
skills
2.9/5.0
Critical Thinking
basicImportance48%
abilities
2.4/5.0
Coordination
basicImportance40%
skills
2.0/5.0
Highly Transferable Skills
These skills are valuable across multiple career paths, making career transitions easier:
Directors, Religious Activities and Education80%
5 shared skills
Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers80%
5 shared skills
Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education80%
5 shared skills
Teaching Assistants, Preschool, Elementary, Middle, and Secondary School, Except Special Education80%
5 shared skills
Nursing Assistants78%
5 shared skills
Pharmacy Aides78%
5 shared skills
Skills by Career Stage
Entry Level
Must Have:
- ✓Active Listening
- ✓Speaking
Learn on the Job:
- →Learning Strategies
- →Social Perceptiveness
Mid Career
Expected:
- ✓Active Listening
- ✓Speaking
- ✓Reading Comprehension
Senior Level
Mastery Required:
- ★Active Listening
- ★Speaking
- ★Reading Comprehension
- ★Service Orientation
Skill Development Tips
- •Focus on developing the top 5 skills first - they have the highest impact on career success
- •Transferable skills open doors to related careers and provide flexibility
- •Balance technical skills with soft skills for well-rounded professional development
- •Entry-level positions prioritize foundational skills that can be built upon over time
What technology will you use?
Technology & Digital Skills
Essential technology proficiencies for Library Technicians
Technology Intensity
Very High
Digital Literacy Requirements
This career requires expert digital literacy
1
Basic
2
Intermediate
3
Advanced
4
Expert
Key Digital Competencies:
Advanced software proficiencySystem architecture understandingAutomation and scriptingEmerging technology adaptationTechnical problem-solving
🔥
Hot Technologies in Demand
These technologies are currently trending and highly sought after in this field
Microsoft Access
🔥 Hot TechAdobe InDesign
🔥 Hot TechAdobe Acrobat
🔥 Hot TechAdobe Illustrator
🔥 Hot TechAdobe Photoshop
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Office software
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Windows
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft PowerPoint
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Excel
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Outlook
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Word
🔥 Hot TechTechnology Stack
Technology Stack Overview
Key technologies used in this career
Microsoft Access
Adobe InDesign
Adobe Acrobat
Adobe Illustrator
Adobe Photoshop
Microsoft Office software
Microsoft Windows
Microsoft PowerPoint
Microsoft Excel
Microsoft Outlook
Microsoft Word
📚 Technology Learning Resources
Recommended Certifications
- •Vendor-specific software certifications
- •Industry-recognized technology credentials
- •Professional development courses
Online Learning Platforms
- •LinkedIn Learning - Comprehensive technology courses
- •Coursera - University-level programs
- •Udemy - Practical skills training
💡 Technology Skill Development Tips
- •Focus on mastering hot technologies first - they're currently most in-demand
- •Build a portfolio demonstrating your proficiency with key tools and software
- •Stay current through continuous learning - technology evolves rapidly
- •Consider vendor certifications to validate your skills to employers
What's the work environment like?
🏢
Location
MOSTLY INDOOR
💪
Physical Demand
MODERATE
👥
Team Orientation
SOME TEAM
🤝
Customer Interaction
OCCASIONAL
💡Is This Work Environment Right for You?
Consider these factors when evaluating if you'll thrive in this work environment:
- •Are you comfortable working in mostly indoor environments?
- •Can you meet moderate physical demands?
- •Do you enjoy some team team environments?
- •Are you comfortable working with safety protocols and protective equipment?
What are the key tasks?
Tasks & Responsibilities
21
Core Tasks
8
Daily Tasks
20
Work Activities
0
Emerging Tasks
Filter:
Sort by:
General Responsibilities (11)Documentation & Record-Keeping (6)Training & Development (1)Management & Supervision (1)Planning & Development (2)
1
Reserve, circulate, renew, and discharge books and other materials.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities100% perform100%
2
Enter and update patrons' records on computers.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Documentation & Record-Keeping97% perform98%
3
Provide assistance to teachers and students by locating materials and helping to complete special projects.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Training & Development94% perform96%
4
Train other staff, volunteers, or student assistants and schedule and supervise their work.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Management & Supervision91% perform94%
5
Conduct reference searches, using printed materials and in-house and online databases.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities88% perform92%
6
Deliver and retrieve items throughout the library by hand or using pushcart.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities85% perform90%
7
Take actions to halt disruption of library activities by problem patrons.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities82% perform88%
8
Process interlibrary loans for patrons.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities79% perform86%
9
Process print and non-print library materials to prepare them for inclusion in library collections.
🟡Weekly
Importance:
Documentation & Record-Keeping76% perform84%
10
Retrieve information from central databases for storage in a library's computer.
🟡Weekly
Importance:
General Responsibilities73% perform82%
💡 Key Takeaways
- •Daily tasks focus primarily on general responsibilities activities
- •33% of tasks are performed by most workers in this occupation
- •Career advancement brings increased leadership and strategic responsibilities
What career paths are available?
Career Pathways
0
Advancement Opportunities
0
Lateral Move Options
0%
Avg. Salary Increase
Advancement Opportunities
Typical career progression paths from Library Technicians
💡 Career Planning Tips
- •Most successful advancement happens after 3-5 years of experience
- •Lateral moves can provide valuable cross-functional experience for future leadership roles
- •Focus on developing skills that are transferable across multiple career paths
- •Consider industry trends when planning long-term career moves
Is this career right for you?
Personality & Values Fit
Is This Career Right for You?
Library Technicians professionals typically have a CSR Holland code and highly value relationships
CConventional
SSocial
RRealistic
Important Personality Traits
Work styles that contribute to success as a Library Technicians
Dependability
CriticalDependability
Importance Level4.60
Cooperation
CriticalCooperation
Importance Level4.58
Integrity
CriticalIntegrity
Importance Level4.56
Self-Control
Very ImportantSelf-Control
Importance Level4.49
Attention to Detail
Very ImportantAttention to Detail
Importance Level4.43
Concern for Others
Very ImportantConcern for Others
Importance Level4.32
Complete Work Styles Profile
Dependability
4.6
Cooperation
4.6
Integrity
4.6
Self-Control
4.5
Attention to Detail
4.4
Concern for Others
4.3
Adaptability/Flexibility
4.2
Stress Tolerance
4.1
Independence
4.0
Initiative
4.0
💡 Tips for Career Fit Success
- •While personality fit is important, skills can be developed with practice and training
- •Consider informational interviews to better understand the day-to-day personality requirements
- •Work environments vary by employer - research specific companies for cultural fit
- •Your interests and values may evolve - reassess periodically throughout your career
What education is required?
Education Level
Vocational school, on-the-job training, or associate degree
Typical duration: Varies
Preparation Level
Job Zone 3
Medium Preparation Needed
Experience Needed
Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience required
📚 Education Requirement
Required Level:Vocational school, on-the-job training, or associate degree
Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.
Training:
Training of more than one year
💼 Experience Requirement
Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience required
Common pathways to gain experience:
- • Associate degree programs
- • Apprenticeships (1-2 years)
- • Vocational training with related experience
3
Job Zone Three: Medium Preparation Needed
Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.
Associate degree programsApprenticeships (1-2 years)Vocational training with related experience
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