How To Become A Cataloging Technician: What It Is and Career Path

What is a cataloging technician and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025

2 min read

There is more than meets the eye when it comes to being a cataloging technician. For example, did you know that they make an average of $18.96 an hour? That's $39,447 a year! Between 2018 and 2028, the career is expected to grow -4% and produce -6,400 job opportunities across the U.S.

ScoreCataloging TechnicianUS Average

Salary

3.1

Avg. Salary $39,447

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability level

6.1

Growth rate -4%

Growth rate 0.3%

Diversity

4.6

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 0.87%

Asian 4.67%

Black or African American 9.43%

Hispanic or Latino 14.64%

Unknown 5.48%

White 64.91%

Gender

female 43.14%

male 56.86%

Age - 54

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%

Asian 7.00%

Black or African American 14.00%

Hispanic or Latino 19.00%

White 57.00%

Gender

female 47.00%

male 53.00%

Age - 54

Stress level

6.1

Stress level is manageable

7.1 - high

Complexity level

5.5

Complexity level is intermediate

7 - challenging

Work life balance

8.9

Work life balance is excellent

6.4 - fair

Key steps to become a cataloging technician

Explore cataloging technician education requirements

Most common cataloging technician degrees

Bachelor's

63.9 %

Master's

22.2 %

High School Diploma

5.6 %

Start to develop specific cataloging technician skills

Skills	Percentages
OCLC	25.20%
Cataloging	22.42%
Library Materials	18.17%
Library System	13.47%
Collection Development	9.25%

Complete relevant cataloging technician training and internships

Accountants spend an average of 1-3 months on post-employment, on-the-job training. New cataloging technicians learn the skills and techniques required for their job and employer during this time. The chart below shows how long it takes to gain competency as a cataloging technician based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real cataloging technician resumes.

Research cataloging technician duties and responsibilities

Establish on-line order records using OCLC and CATME, international library database.
Populate the ILS database using NGA modify MARC 21 and AARC 2 standards.
Perform original and copy cataloging of new and donate items.
Organize and inventory art books and reference resources by cataloging materials into an update computerized system.

Prepare your cataloging technician resume

When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your cataloging technician resume.

You can use Zippia's AI resume builder to make the resume writing process easier while also making sure that you include key information that hiring managers expect to see on a cataloging technician resume. You'll find resume tips and examples of skills, responsibilities, and summaries, all provided by Zippi, your career sidekick.

Choose from 10+ customizable cataloging technician resume templates

Build a professional cataloging technician resume in minutes. Browse through our resume examples to identify the best way to word your resume. Then choose from 10+ resume templates to create your cataloging technician resume.