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Cataloger vs music librarian

The differences between catalogers and music 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 a music librarian. Additionally, a music librarian has an average salary of $54,159, 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 a music librarian are library database, music library, and wind ensemble.

Cataloger vs music librarian overview

CatalogerMusic Librarian
Yearly salary$34,943$54,159
Hourly rate$16.80$26.04
Growth rate6%6%
Number of jobs933,548
Job satisfaction5-
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 61%Bachelor's Degree, 72%
Average age4848
Years of experience22

Cataloger vs music librarian salary

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

CatalogerMusic Librarian
Average salary$34,943$54,159
Salary rangeBetween $23,000 And $52,000Between $37,000 And $77,000
Highest paying CityNew Haven, CT-
Highest paying stateAlaska-
Best paying companyHarvard University-
Best paying industryEducation-

Differences between cataloger and music librarian education

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

CatalogerMusic Librarian
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 61%Bachelor's Degree, 72%
Most common majorHistoryMusic
Most common collegeUniversity of Maryland - College ParkStanford University

Cataloger vs music librarian demographics

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

CatalogerMusic Librarian
Average age4848
Gender ratioMale, 37.9% Female, 62.1%Male, 42.0% Female, 58.0%
Race ratioBlack 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, 6.5% Unknown, 3.6% Hispanic or Latino, 7.8% Asian, 4.9% White, 76.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3%
LGBT Percentage16%16%

Differences between cataloger and music 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.
  • Show more

Music librarian example responsibilities.

  • Achieve proficiency cataloging electronic materials (audio records, video recordings, and streaming video) and continuing resources/serials.
  • Dust and clean CDs and shelving as needed.
  • Replace lost/damage CDs and honor patron requests if possible.
  • Provide opportunities for students to use the library for class-relate research, individual investigation, independent reading, and personal inquiry.
  • Provide opportunities for students to use the library for class-relate research, individual investigation, independent reading, and personal inquiry.

Cataloger vs music librarian skills

Common cataloger skills
  • Library Catalog, 13%
  • RDA, 11%
  • Cataloging, 11%
  • OCLC, 8%
  • Online Database, 8%
  • Lcsh, 6%
Common music librarian skills
  • Library Database, 20%
  • Music Library, 13%
  • Wind Ensemble, 9%
  • Sheet Music, 9%
  • Collection Development, 8%
  • Electronic Resources, 7%

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