Career comparison
Library Assistant vs. Library Technician
Side-by-side pay, training, growth and day-to-day duties to help you choose between two related careers.
Library technicians earn more at the median ($44,580 vs. $36,910), while library assistants usually get to work faster (A few weeks on the job of training). Library assistants check out books, help patrons and keep the library running. Library technicians help libraries run smoothly, from checkouts to cataloging.
Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026
| Library Assistant | Library Technician | |
|---|---|---|
| Median pay | $36,910 ($17.74/hr) | $44,580 ($21.43/hr) |
| Pay range (10th–90th) | $27,730 – $55,310 | $29,300 – $63,080 |
| Job growth, 2025–35 | -6.4% (a projected decline) | -6.4% (a projected decline) |
| Openings per year | 12,300 | 10,800 |
| Typical entry education | High school diploma or equivalent | Postsecondary nondegree award |
| Training time | A few weeks on the job | 6 months–2 years |
| Key credential | Library support staff certificate | ALA Library Support Staff Certification (LSSC) |
| Work setting | Library assistants work in public, school and academic libraries.. | Technicians work in public, school and academic libraries, at desks and among shelves.. |
What each job does
Library Assistant
- Check materials in and out
- Shelve books
- Issue library cards
- Process holds
- Help patrons with computers
Library Technician
- Check materials in and out
- Help patrons find items and use computers
- Process and catalog new materials
- Shelve and organize collections
- Manage holds and interlibrary loans
How they’re similar
Both careers involve working with people, indoor work, steady routines, and helping others. Both are part of the education & childcare field, so many skills transfer between them.
Which should you choose?
Choose library assistant if…
- I love libraries
- I’m friendly
- I’m organized
Choose library technician if…
- I like organizing things
- I enjoy helping people
- I like libraries
Still torn? Take the Library Assistant fit quiz and the Library Technician fit quiz, or the full Career Match Quiz.
Quick comparisons
Which pays more, library assistant or library technician?
Library Technicians earn more at the median: $44,580 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 library technicians (6 months–2 years).
Which career has better job growth?
BLS projects library assistants to grow -6.4% from 2025–35, compared with -6.4% for library technicians.