SOC 43-4121.00

    Library Assistants, Clerical

    Compile records, and sort, shelve, issue, and receive library materials such as books, electronic media, pictures, cards, slides and microfilm.

    Median pay
    $36,910
    Growth
    -6.4%
    Decline
    Openings a year
    12,300
    Typical education
    High school diploma

    Data verified Nov 2026 · CollegesRef 2026–27 edition

    Source: BLS 2025 wages · 2025–35 projections

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    Annual pay range

    Lowest 10% earn less than
    $27,730
    Median
    $36,910
    Highest 10% earn more than
    $55,310
    National wages for all workers in this occupation. BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025.

    85,520 people work in this occupation.

    What library assistants, clerical do

    Job Zone 2: Some preparation

    Compile records, and sort, shelve, issue, and receive library materials such as books, electronic media, pictures, cards, slides and microfilm. Locate library materials for loan and replace material in shelving area, stacks, or files according to identification number and title. Register patrons to permit them to borrow books, periodicals, and other library materials.

    Usually a high school diploma; some on-the-job training or experience.

    Interest profile

    Realistic (R)
    32 / 100
    Investigative (I)
    17 / 100
    Artistic (A)
    5 / 100
    Social (S)
    46 / 100
    Enterprising (E)
    20 / 100
    Conventional (C) · strongest
    98 / 100
    How strongly each interest area describes the work, from O*NET (scores rescaled to 0–100). The interest code lists the strongest areas in order.

    Interest code CSR. Compare it with yours

    What you'd do

    Working with Computers
    91
    Getting Information
    80
    Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships
    79
    Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates
    78
    Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge
    78
    Handling and Moving Objects
    76
    Performing for or Working Directly with the Public
    72
    Monitoring Processes, Materials, or Surroundings
    70
    Processing Information
    70
    Documenting/Recording Information
    61
    Work activities rated by importance for this occupation, O*NET (0–100).

    Skills and strengths

    Skills

    • Service Orientation
    • Active Listening
    • Reading Comprehension
    • Coordination
    • Critical Thinking
    • Speaking
    • Writing
    • Complex Problem Solving
    • Monitoring
    • Social Perceptiveness

    Knowledge

    • Customer and Personal Service
    • Administrative
    • English Language
    • Education and Training
    • Psychology
    • Computers and Electronics
    • Public Safety and Security
    • History and Archeology
    • Sociology and Anthropology
    • Administration and Management

    Abilities

    • Oral Expression
    • Written Comprehension
    • Information Ordering
    • Oral Comprehension
    • Near Vision
    • Problem Sensitivity
    • Speech Clarity
    • Speech Recognition
    • Category Flexibility
    • Perceptual Speed

    Work styles

    • Attention to Detail
    • Dependability
    • Cooperation
    • Social Orientation
    • Integrity
    • Self-Control
    • Sincerity
    • Cautiousness
    • Empathy
    • Humility

    Also called

    Access Services Assistant · Acquisitions Assistant · Administrative Library Assistant · Book Sorter · Bookmobile Driver · Braille and Talking Books Clerk · Catalog Library Assistant · Cataloging Assistant · Children's Library Assistant · Circulation Assistant

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    Sources and attribution

    Every figure on this page comes from these public datasets. Missing values are shown as not reported, never estimated.

    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. CollegesRef has modified all or some of this information.

    Page data updated November 5, 2026.