Cataloger vs instruction librarian

The differences between catalogers and instruction librarians can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 1-2 years to become both a cataloger and an instruction librarian. Additionally, an instruction librarian has an average salary of $50,234, which is higher than the $34,943 average annual salary of a cataloger.

The top three skills for a cataloger include library catalog, RDA and cataloging. The most important skills for an instruction librarian are collection development, library services, and reference services.

Cataloger vs instruction librarian overview

	Cataloger	Instruction Librarian
Yearly salary	$34,943	$50,234
Hourly rate	$16.80	$24.15
Growth rate	6%	6%
Number of jobs	93	1,276
Job satisfaction	5	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 61%	Bachelor's Degree, 55%
Average age	48	48
Years of experience	2	2

Cataloger vs instruction librarian salary

Catalogers and instruction librarians have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Cataloger	Instruction Librarian
Average salary	$34,943	$50,234
Salary range	Between $23,000 And $52,000	Between $35,000 And $71,000
Highest paying City	New Haven, CT	Tacoma, WA
Highest paying state	Alaska	Alaska
Best paying company	Harvard University	Kern Community College District
Best paying industry	Education	Education

Differences between cataloger and instruction librarian education

There are a few differences between a cataloger and an instruction librarian in terms of educational background:

	Cataloger	Instruction Librarian
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 61%	Bachelor's Degree, 55%
Most common major	History	Library Science
Most common college	University of Maryland - College Park	New York University

Cataloger vs instruction librarian demographics

Here are the differences between catalogers' and instruction librarians' demographics:

	Cataloger	Instruction Librarian
Average age	48	48
Gender ratio	Male, 37.9% Female, 62.1%	Male, 34.9% Female, 65.1%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 6.4% Unknown, 3.6% Hispanic or Latino, 7.8% Asian, 4.9% White, 77.0% 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, 77.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3%
LGBT Percentage	16%	16%

Differences between cataloger and instruction librarian duties and responsibilities

Cataloger example responsibilities.

Manage category of materials: including books, CDs, films and other documents.
Assign subject headings using LCSH.
Cataloge books and serials for all the school district libraries.
Master the use of cataloguing resources such as WorldCat and HomeBase.
Assist librarians in other EPA libraries with the conversion of their serials list.
Assign LCSH and LCC, as well as a local classification system for legal treatises.

Instruction librarian example responsibilities.

Manage integrated library system including OPAC, serials control, cataloging and acquisitions.
Perform collection management for adult non-fiction.
Provide opportunities for students to use the library for class-relate research, individual investigation, independent reading, and personal inquiry.
Conduct copy/original cataloging of all resources.
Maintain all records update and create original cataloging as necessary.
Create an inventory of all materials locate in the corporate HQ's attic.

Cataloger vs instruction librarian skills

Common cataloger skills

Library Catalog, 13%
RDA, 11%
Cataloging, 11%
OCLC, 8%
Online Database, 8%
Lcsh, 6%

Common instruction librarian skills

Collection Development, 11%
Library Services, 10%
Reference Services, 8%
Research Assistance, 8%
Professional Development, 7%
Library Resources, 7%

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Cataloger vs Instruction Librarian

Updated January 8, 2025

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