SOC 25-4031.00

    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.

    Median pay
    $44,580
    Growth
    -6.4%
    Decline
    Openings a year
    10,800
    Typical education
    Postsecondary certificate

    Data verified Nov 2026 · CollegesRef 2026–27 edition

    Source: BLS 2025 wages · 2025–35 projections

    See the pathway

    Annual pay range

    Lowest 10% earn less than
    $29,300
    Median
    $44,580
    Highest 10% earn more than
    $63,080
    National wages for all workers in this occupation. BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025.

    68,690 people work in this occupation.

    In short

    Library technicians assist patrons in finding materials, manage circulation desks, and organize collections. This career employs 68,690 people and offers a median annual pay of $44,580, with earnings ranging from less than $29,300 to more than $63,080.

    Written with AI from the BLS, O*NET and CareerOneStop data on this page. Every figure is checked against that data before it is published.

    What library technicians do

    Job Zone 3: Medium preparation

    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.

    Usually vocational training, an associate degree or related experience.

    What the work is like

    Library technicians handle daily operations to keep libraries running smoothly. Their main tasks involve working with computers to update databases, registering new patrons, and checking books and media in and out of the circulation system. They also sort, shelve, and repair damaged materials. When visitors need assistance, these workers use active listening, reading comprehension, and strong speaking skills to answer reference questions and help people navigate catalogs.

    This role is highly conventional, requiring attention to detail, dependability, and cooperation. Technicians must organize, plan, and prioritize their work while documenting information accurately. Because they work directly with the public, they rely on customer service knowledge, social perceptiveness, and empathy. They must also communicate effectively with supervisors and colleagues to maintain a cooperative environment.

    How to get there

    To enter this career, individuals typically need a postsecondary certificate. The occupation is classified as requiring medium preparation, which often involves vocational training, an associate degree, or related work experience. Students interested in this field often major in library and archives assisting.

    While specific credentials are not always mandatory, some professionals in this field choose to earn certifications to enhance their skills. For example, the Medical Library Association offers the Consumer Health Information Specialization. This credential can help technicians who work in specialized medical or health-related library settings.

    Pay and outlook explained

    The median annual pay for library technicians is $44,580. This means half of the workers in this field earn more than this amount, while the other half earn less. The lowest 10 percent of earners make less than $29,300, and the highest 10 percent earn more than $63,080.

    Employment in this occupation is projected to decline by -6.4% from 2025 to 2035. Despite this projected decrease in total jobs, there are still about 10,800 job openings expected each year to replace workers who leave the field.

    Interest profile

    Realistic (R)
    35 / 100
    Investigative (I)
    28 / 100
    Artistic (A)
    10 / 100
    Social (S)
    51 / 100
    Enterprising (E)
    15 / 100
    Conventional (C) · strongest
    92 / 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
    82
    Getting Information
    76
    Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates
    75
    Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships
    70
    Documenting/Recording Information
    65
    Handling and Moving Objects
    63
    Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work
    62
    Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events
    62
    Performing for or Working Directly with the Public
    62
    Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge
    61
    Work activities rated by importance for this occupation, O*NET (0–100).

    Skills and strengths

    Skills

    • Reading Comprehension
    • Active Listening
    • Speaking
    • Service Orientation
    • Coordination
    • Critical Thinking
    • Learning Strategies
    • Social Perceptiveness
    • Active Learning
    • Judgment and Decision Making

    Knowledge

    • Customer and Personal Service
    • English Language
    • Administrative
    • Computers and Electronics
    • Education and Training
    • Communications and Media
    • Psychology
    • Mathematics
    • Public Safety and Security
    • Geography

    Abilities

    • Oral Comprehension
    • Oral Expression
    • Near Vision
    • Speech Clarity
    • Speech Recognition
    • Written Comprehension
    • Category Flexibility
    • Deductive Reasoning
    • Far Vision
    • Information Ordering

    Work styles

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

    Also called

    Accessioner · Audio-Visual Aide · Bibliographer · Bindery Library Technical Assistant · Book Shelver · Book Sorter · Bookmobile Driver · Cataloging Library Technical Assistant (Cataloging LTA) · Circulation Clerk · Classifier

    Career pathway

    From your interests to library technicians

    Interests that fit the work, the career, majors that lead there and colleges whose graduates in those majors earn the most. Hover or focus a step to follow one path.

    1. Interests

    2. This career

      • Library Technicians$44,580 median pay

    3. Majors

    NCES CIP–SOC crosswalk

    Majors that lead here

    Related programs by four-digit CIP code. They are common routes in, not the only ones.

    CareerOneStop

    Certifications, licenses and pay by state

    What library technicians may need beyond a degree, where a license is required, and what the work pays in each state.

    Certifications

    Core certifications employers recognise for this work.

    Search all certifications on CareerOneStop

    Training

    Programs of study that prepare people for this work.

    • Library and Archives Assisting

    Find training near you on CareerOneStop

    Data from CareerOneStop, sponsored by the U.S. Department of Labor (Employment and Training Administration, with the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development). Retrieved November 6, 2026.

    Your plan

    Build my pathway plan

    Courses, majors, colleges, scholarships and a timeline for this career, built from your profile.

    Related careers

    Careers with similar work, interests or skills.

    All careers

    Questions about library technicians

    Written with AI from the BLS, O*NET and CareerOneStop data on this page. Every figure is checked against that data before it is published.

    What are some alternative job titles for library technicians?

    People in this field are also called circulation clerks, book shelvers, book sorters, and accessioners. Other titles include audio-visual aides, bibliographers, bindery library technical assistants, and bookmobile drivers.

    What college majors are relevant to this career?

    The primary college major that prepares students for this occupation is library and archives assisting. This program teaches the administrative and organizational skills needed to manage collections and assist patrons.

    Is the job market for library technicians growing?

    No, the field is experiencing a decline. Employment is projected to decrease by -6.4% between the years 2025 and 2035, though 10,800 annual openings are still expected due to retirement and turnover.

    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.

    Data from CareerOneStop, sponsored by the U.S. Department of Labor (Employment and Training Administration, with the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development). Retrieved November 6, 2026.

    Page data updated November 5, 2026.