Administrative librarian vs school librarian

The differences between administrative librarians and school librarians can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 1-2 years to become both an administrative librarian and a school librarian. Additionally, an administrative librarian has an average salary of $53,527, which is higher than the $51,202 average annual salary of a school librarian.

The top three skills for an administrative librarian include PLM, library services and collection development. The most important skills for a school librarian are library services, library resources, and library materials.

Administrative librarian vs school librarian overview

	Administrative Librarian	School Librarian
Yearly salary	$53,527	$51,202
Hourly rate	$25.73	$24.62
Growth rate	6%	6%
Number of jobs	34,496	20,037
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 56%	Bachelor's Degree, 58%
Average age	48	48
Years of experience	2	2

Administrative librarian vs school librarian salary

Administrative librarians and school librarians have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Administrative Librarian	School Librarian
Average salary	$53,527	$51,202
Salary range	Between $36,000 And $78,000	Between $34,000 And $75,000
Highest paying City	-	Sacramento, CA
Highest paying state	-	Alaska
Best paying company	-	Poly Prep Country Day School
Best paying industry	-	Education

Differences between administrative librarian and school librarian education

There are a few differences between an administrative librarian and a school librarian in terms of educational background:

	Administrative Librarian	School Librarian
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 56%	Bachelor's Degree, 58%
Most common major	Library Science	Library Science
Most common college	New York University	University of Maryland - College Park

Administrative librarian vs school librarian demographics

Here are the differences between administrative librarians' and school librarians' demographics:

	Administrative Librarian	School Librarian
Average age	48	48
Gender ratio	Male, 30.0% Female, 70.0%	Male, 16.3% Female, 83.7%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 6.6% Unknown, 3.6% Hispanic or Latino, 8.0% Asian, 5.0% White, 76.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3%	Black or African American, 6.3% Unknown, 3.6% Hispanic or Latino, 7.7% Asian, 4.8% White, 77.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3%
LGBT Percentage	16%	16%

Differences between administrative librarian and school librarian duties and responsibilities

Administrative librarian example responsibilities.

Manage document delivery via Docline and consortia memberships.
Maintain accurate records of circulation and materials, inventory, and correct cataloging errors.
Provide opportunities for students to use the library for class-relate research, individual investigation, independent reading, and personal inquiry.
Evaluate and select integrated library system for OPAC and serials management.

School librarian example responsibilities.

Manage and supervise a full-time media assistant, technology technicians and parent and student volunteers.
Volunteer to host events at annual school carnival and other PTA and school events.
Guide them in researching through a non fiction books, encyclopedia entry, and the elibrary BigChalk database.
Institute the use of computers in the library for cataloging, online searching, reference, bibliographies, and administrative functions.
Direct and train library staff in duties, such as receiving, shelving, researching, cataloging, and equipment use.
Manage and supervise a full-time media assistant, technology technicians and parent and student volunteers.

Administrative librarian vs school librarian skills

Common administrative librarian skills

PLM, 32%
Library Services, 21%
Collection Development, 15%
Professional Development, 13%
Library System, 8%
Library Operations, 6%

Common school librarian skills

Library Services, 11%
Library Resources, 9%
Library Materials, 9%
Library Programs, 7%
Collection Development, 6%
Library Collection, 5%

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Administrative Librarian vs School Librarian

Updated January 8, 2025

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