Library assistants, clerical salary
| Measure | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $27,730 | $13.33 |
| Median (50th percentile) | $36,910 | $17.74 |
| Mean (average) | $39,370 | $18.93 |
| 90th percentile | $55,310 | $26.59 |
These wages describe everyone employed in the occupation, from new entrants to experienced workers. They are not starting salaries and not earnings of graduates from any particular program. Verified data
Library assistants, clerical pay by state and metro area
Table: median wage and employment for all 51 states and territories
| State | Median | 10th pct | 90th pct | Employment | Location quotient |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $27,530 | $21,700 | $38,110 | 900 | 0.77 |
| Alaska | $44,800 | $32,130 | $62,890 | 180 | 1 |
| Arizona | $38,110 | $33,270 | $48,480 | 1,560 | 0.88 |
| Arkansas | $31,100 | $24,120 | $34,930 | 390 | 0.54 |
| California | $47,860 | $36,920 | $68,810 | 11,170 | 1.12 |
| Colorado | $36,130 | $30,800 | $47,730 | 470 | 0.3 |
| Connecticut | $39,100 | $34,010 | $58,420 | 1,810 | 1.94 |
| Delaware | $37,090 | $31,200 | $39,700 | 270 | 1 |
| District of Columbia | $59,390 | $37,310 | $78,570 | 100 | 0.25 |
| Florida | $37,880 | $29,420 | $45,960 | 3,630 | 0.67 |
| Georgia | $36,410 | $28,460 | $49,640 | 610 | 0.23 |
| Hawaii | $37,110 | $30,040 | $46,920 | 370 | 1.06 |
| Idaho | $33,960 | $21,990 | $43,390 | 920 | 1.95 |
| Illinois | $34,680 | $31,200 | $44,520 | 6,620 | 1.97 |
| Indiana | $28,900 | $21,170 | $37,240 | 1,830 | 1.04 |
| Iowa | $29,480 | $21,950 | $45,310 | 1,700 | 1.99 |
| Kansas | $31,550 | $20,800 | $41,180 | 1,380 | 1.75 |
| Kentucky | $33,690 | $25,720 | $43,630 | 1,050 | 0.96 |
| Louisiana | $29,620 | $19,680 | $45,070 | 720 | 0.67 |
| Maine | $37,890 | $32,970 | $48,540 | 540 | 1.52 |
| Maryland | $45,910 | $32,130 | $61,460 | 730 | 0.48 |
| Massachusetts | $42,520 | $32,370 | $59,940 | 2,840 | 1.42 |
| Michigan | $34,510 | $27,170 | $44,060 | 3,470 | 1.43 |
| Minnesota | $39,970 | $28,850 | $50,510 | 1,770 | 1.09 |
| Mississippi | $28,110 | $18,120 | $36,920 | 440 | 0.69 |
| Missouri | $33,760 | $28,600 | $40,780 | 1,610 | 1 |
| Montana | $39,070 | $27,190 | $45,010 | 160 | 0.56 |
| Nebraska | $28,080 | $28,080 | $37,380 | 310 | 0.55 |
| Nevada | $46,620 | $32,000 | $59,740 | 660 | 0.78 |
| New Hampshire | $37,400 | $27,800 | $48,220 | 990 | 2.65 |
| New Jersey | $39,780 | $32,750 | $56,430 | 3,120 | 1.33 |
| New Mexico | $35,250 | $30,690 | $41,600 | 150 | 0.31 |
| New York | $35,990 | $32,610 | $57,160 | 8,010 | 1.5 |
| North Carolina | $34,550 | $25,040 | $45,690 | 1,330 | 0.49 |
| North Dakota | $34,530 | $21,200 | $53,000 | 60 | 0.26 |
| Ohio | $33,480 | $23,070 | $46,010 | 5,240 | 1.72 |
| Oklahoma | $29,640 | $19,810 | $40,250 | 800 | 0.85 |
| Oregon | $42,270 | $33,160 | $50,560 | 1,090 | 1.01 |
| Pennsylvania | $30,690 | $22,110 | $45,930 | 3,930 | 1.18 |
| Puerto Rico | $23,110 | $21,840 | $28,010 | 210 | 0.4 |
| Rhode Island | $36,610 | $31,200 | $49,550 | 510 | 1.84 |
| South Carolina | $33,980 | $23,980 | $44,090 | 960 | 0.76 |
| Tennessee | $37,410 | $24,180 | $54,230 | 1,110 | 0.62 |
| Texas | $31,200 | $21,900 | $39,940 | 1,600 | 0.21 |
| Utah | $32,690 | $24,030 | $45,670 | 820 | 0.86 |
| Vermont | $36,430 | $29,190 | $49,050 | 350 | 2.07 |
| Virginia | $38,020 | $29,250 | $54,180 | 2,170 | 0.96 |
| Washington | $47,540 | $37,450 | $61,590 | 2,810 | 1.44 |
| West Virginia | $30,800 | $26,380 | $36,840 | 450 | 1.16 |
| Wisconsin | $39,610 | $30,740 | $51,080 | 1,570 | 0.97 |
| Wyoming | $38,040 | $28,350 | $42,590 |
A location quotient above 1 means the occupation is more concentrated in that state than in the nation overall.
Metro areas with the most jobs
Highest paying metro areas
Job outlook for library assistants, clerical
- Average annual openings, 2025 to 2035: 12,300. Openings include new jobs plus replacement needs when workers retire or leave the occupation. Official projection
- Read the official BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook profile.
These are official BLS projections. ConnectPrep does not alter them or present its own forecasts as official statistics.
Education and training for library assistants, clerical
- Typical entry education
- High school diploma or equivalent
- Related work experience
- None
- On-the-job training
- Short-term on-the-job training
- O*NET Job Zone
- Job Zone 1-2: Very Little to Some Preparation Needed
Highest education of people working in this occupation
O*NET describes this preparation level as: Usually requires a high school diploma or GED, though some occupations may not.
Degrees and programs that lead to this career
Programs officially mapped to this occupation in the NCES and BLS CIP to SOC crosswalk. A mapping means the program commonly prepares students for the occupation, not that every graduate works in it. Official crosswalk
- NO MATCH CIP 99.9999
Skills, knowledge, and daily work
Most important skills
Most important knowledge areas
Typical tasks
- Sort books, publications, and other items according to established procedure and return them to shelves, files, or other designated storage areas.
- Open and close library during specified hours and secure library equipment, such as computers and audio-visual equipment.
- Locate library materials for patrons, including books, periodicals, tape cassettes, Braille volumes, and pictures.
- Enter and update patrons' records on computers.
- Answer routine inquiries and refer patrons in need of professional assistance to librarians.
- Manage reserve materials by placing items on reserve for library patrons, checking items in and out of library, and removing out-of-date items.
- Lend, reserve, and collect books, periodicals, videotapes, and other materials at circulation desks and process materials for inter-library loans.
- Instruct patrons on how to use reference sources, card catalogs, and automated information systems.
Technology skills
- Microsoft Excel (in demand)
- Microsoft Office software (in demand)
- Adobe Acrobat (hot technology)
- Adobe Photoshop (hot technology)
- C++ (hot technology)
- Microsoft Access (hot technology)
- Microsoft Outlook (hot technology)
- Microsoft PowerPoint (hot technology)
- Microsoft Windows (hot technology)
- Microsoft Word (hot technology)
- Automated circulation systems
- Cataloging software
- Database software
- Microsoft Publisher
- Online Computer Library Center (OCLC) databases
- Recordkeeping software
Transferable skills for career changers: Service Orientation, Coordination, Social Perceptiveness, Complex Problem Solving, Time Management, Instructing.
Common job titles: Acquisitions Assistant, Cataloging Assistant, Library Aide, Library Assistant, Library Associate, Library Circulation Assistant, Library Clerical Assistant, Library Clerk, Library Services Assistant.
Is it worth it? Model the cost of getting there
Use the ROI calculator to compare the cost of the education this career usually requires against staying on your current path. It starts from the official wage distribution above, and you can change every assumption.
Frequently asked questions
How much do library assistants, clerical make?
The national median annual wage for library assistants, clerical was $36,910 in May 2025, according to the BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics program. The lowest paid 10 percent earned less than $27,730 and the highest paid 10 percent earned more than $55,310. These figures cover all workers in the occupation, not only new entrants.
What education do library assistants, clerical need?
BLS lists high school diploma or equivalent as the typical education needed to enter this occupation, with none of related work experience and short-term on-the-job training on-the-job training typically needed to become competent.
Is library assistants, clerical a growing career?
BLS projects employment of library assistants, clerical to change -6.4% from 2025 to 2035, compared with +3.5% for all occupations. About 12,300 openings are projected each year on average, including openings from workers who retire or change occupations.
Which states pay library assistants, clerical the most?
By median annual wage in May 2025, the highest paying states were District of Columbia ($59,390), California ($47,860), Washington ($47,540). Pay differences partly reflect differences in living costs.