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Library Technicians

Job Zone 3 - Medium preparation needed

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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.

Pay & job outlook

Median pay: $44,580/yr (U.S. national, May 2025)

$29,300$63,080

Typical range nationwide (10th–90th percentile). This is a population snapshot, not a personal prediction - actual pay varies by location, employer, and experience.

Job outlook: -6.8% projected growth, 2024–2034 — declining.

About 13,000 openings per year, on average, over the decade.

Typical entry-level education: Postsecondary nondegree award.

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS and Employment Projections.

Top skills
Reading ComprehensionActive ListeningSpeakingService OrientationSocial PerceptivenessCritical ThinkingLearning StrategiesCoordinationMonitoringActive Learning
Top knowledge areas
Customer and Personal ServiceEnglish LanguageAdministrativeComputers and ElectronicsEducation and TrainingCommunications and MediaPsychologyMathematics
Core tasks

• 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.

• Provide assistance to teachers and students by locating materials and helping to complete special projects.

Frequently asked questions

What's the median pay for Library Technicians?

The median pay for Library Technicians is $44,580 per year, per the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

What's the job outlook for Library Technicians?

Employment for Library Technicians is projected to change -6.8% from 2024 to 2034 - declining.

What education is typically required for Library Technicians?

Typical entry-level education: Postsecondary nondegree award.

How many job openings are there each year for Library Technicians?

About 13,000 openings per year, on average, over the decade.