Checked
Library Technicians Salary
Library Technicians earn a median $44,580 a year in the U.S., with 68,690 jobs (May 2025).
- Median wage
- $44,580 a year
- Employment
- 68,690
- Excludes self-employed
- Projected growth
- -6.4%
- 2025 to 2035
- Openings per year
- 10,800
- Average, including replacements
Pay range nationally
The middle half of workers earn between the 25th and 75th percentile (shaded)
- Median (50%)
- $44,580 · $21.43 an hour
- Mean (average)
- $45,500 · $21.88 an hour (estimate error ±0.5%)
- 10th percentile
- $29,300 · $14.09 an hour
- 25th percentile
- $35,740 · $17.18 an hour
- 75th percentile
- $52,430 · $25.21 an hour
- 90th percentile
- $63,080 · $30.33 an hour
- Employment
- 68,690 (estimate error ±1.3%)
What they do
Standard Occupational Classification definition
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.
Job outlook
BLS Employment Projections, 2025 to 2035
- Jobs in 2025
- 72,800
- Projected for 2035
- 68,100
- Change
- -4,600 (-6.4%)
- Openings each year
- 10,800
- Typical education
- Postsecondary nondegree award
- Work experience
- None
- On-the-job training
- None
- Self-employed
- Not reported
Occupational Outlook Handbook (duties, how to become one, work environment)
Highest paying states
Median wage for this occupation
Swipe the table sideways to see more columns.
| # | State | Median wage | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Washington | $62,570 | 1,850 |
| 2 | District of Columbia | $61,040 | 390 |
| 3 | Connecticut | $57,060 | 930 |
| 4 | California | $53,260 | 7,190 |
| 5 | Minnesota | $51,110 | 1,180 |
| 6 | Hawaii | $50,870 | 110 |
| 7 | Massachusetts | $50,430 | 1,910 |
| 8 | Vermont | $50,090 | 150 |
| 9 | New York | $50,060 | 3,390 |
| 10 | Oregon | $49,970 | 1,810 |
States with the most jobs
Swipe the table sideways to see more columns.
| State | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| California | 7,190 | $53,260 |
| Texas | 5,180 | $38,640 |
| Ohio | 4,020 | $37,920 |
| New York | 3,390 | $50,060 |
| Florida | 3,070 | $41,080 |
| Wisconsin | 2,890 | $35,000 |
| Virginia | 2,580 | $45,560 |
| North Carolina | 2,350 | $46,520 |
| Colorado | 2,250 | $46,680 |
| Michigan | 2,180 | $34,680 |
Highest paying metro areas
Metro areas with at least 100 jobs in this occupation
Swipe the table sideways to see more columns.
| # | Metro area | Median wage | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $65,690 | 1,290 |
| 2 | New Haven, CT | $63,970 | 230 |
| 3 | San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | $63,690 | 730 |
| 4 | San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $62,550 | 310 |
| 5 | Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA | $61,470 | 160 |
| 6 | Syracuse, NY | $58,520 | 180 |
| 7 | Hartford-West Hartford-East Hartford, CT | $58,380 | 360 |
| 8 | Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH | $57,330 | 1,290 |
| 9 | Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $57,290 | 2,060 |
| 10 | Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA | $57,050 | 990 |
| 11 | Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | $56,510 | 870 |
| 12 | Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA | $56,160 | 140 |
Metro areas with the most jobs
Swipe the table sideways to see more columns.
| Metro area | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | 2,850 | $52,040 |
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | 2,060 | $57,290 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | 1,940 | $49,980 |
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | 1,520 | $47,100 |
| Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX | 1,510 | $40,740 |
| Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA | 1,350 | $39,390 |
| Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH | 1,290 | $57,330 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | 1,290 | $65,690 |
| Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX | 1,220 | $37,270 |
| Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA | 990 | $57,050 |
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | 930 | $46,900 |
| Cleveland, OH | 920 | $45,420 |
Library Technicians pay by state
- Alabama
- Alaska
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- California
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- District of Columbia
- Florida
- Georgia
- Hawaii
- Idaho
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maine
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- Montana
- Nebraska
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- New York
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- Puerto Rico
- Rhode Island
- South Carolina
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Utah
- Vermont
- Virginia
- Washington
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming
Related occupations
Frequently asked questions
- How much do library technicians make?
- The median wage for library technicians in the U.S. is $44,580 a year, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $35,740 and $52,430.
- Which state pays library technicians the most?
- Washington has the highest median wage for this occupation at $62,570 a year.
- What is the job outlook for library technicians?
- BLS projects employment to decline 6.4% from 2025 to 2035, with about 10,800 openings each year on average.
- What education do library technicians need?
- The typical entry-level education is: postsecondary nondegree award.