Career comparison
Archivist vs. Library Assistant
Side-by-side pay, training, growth and day-to-day duties to help you choose between two related careers.
Archivists earn more at the median ($64,550 vs. $36,910), while library assistants usually get to work faster (A few weeks on the job of training). Archivists preserve historical records and help people find them. Library assistants check out books, help patrons and keep the library running.
Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026
| Archivist | Library Assistant | |
|---|---|---|
| Median pay | $64,550 ($31.03/hr) | $36,910 ($17.74/hr) |
| Pay range (10th–90th) | $39,970 – $110,550 | $27,730 – $55,310 |
| Job growth, 2025–35 | +3.4% (about as fast as average) | -6.4% (a projected decline) |
| Openings per year | 1,100 | 12,300 |
| Typical entry education | Master's degree | High school diploma or equivalent |
| Training time | 2 years after a bachelor’s | A few weeks on the job |
| Key credential | Certified Archivist | Library support staff certificate |
| Work setting | Archivists work in archives, libraries, museums, government offices and corporations.. | Library assistants work in public, school and academic libraries.. |
What each job does
Archivist
- Appraise records
- Arrange and describe collections
- Write finding aids
- Preserve materials
- Digitize collections
Library Assistant
- Check materials in and out
- Shelve books
- Issue library cards
- Process holds
- Help patrons with computers
How they’re similar
Both careers involve indoor work and steady routines. Both are part of the education & childcare field, so many skills transfer between them.
Which should you choose?
Choose archivist if…
- I love history
- I’m very organized
- I like quiet work
Choose library assistant if…
- I love libraries
- I’m friendly
- I’m organized
Still torn? Take the Archivist fit quiz and the Library Assistant fit quiz, or the full Career Match Quiz.
Quick comparisons
Which pays more, archivist or library assistant?
Archivists earn more at the median: $64,550 versus $36,910 for library assistants, based on BLS May 2025 data.
Which takes less time to train for?
Library Assistants typically train faster (A few weeks on the job) than archivists (2 years after a bachelor’s).
Which career has better job growth?
BLS projects archivists to grow +3.4% from 2025–35, compared with -6.4% for library assistants.