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The differences between circulation librarians and reference 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 circulation librarian and a reference librarian. Additionally, a reference librarian has an average salary of $50,409, which is higher than the $50,163 average annual salary of a circulation librarian.
The top three skills for a circulation librarian include circulation desk, customer service and library materials. The most important skills for a reference librarian are reference services, library patrons, and collection development.
| Circulation Librarian | Reference Librarian | |
| Yearly salary | $50,163 | $50,409 |
| Hourly rate | $24.12 | $24.24 |
| Growth rate | 6% | 6% |
| Number of jobs | 1,041 | 1,058 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 60% | Bachelor's Degree, 56% |
| Average age | 48 | 48 |
| Years of experience | 2 | 2 |
Circulation librarians and reference librarians have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Circulation Librarian | Reference Librarian | |
| Average salary | $50,163 | $50,409 |
| Salary range | Between $35,000 And $70,000 | Between $35,000 And $70,000 |
| Highest paying City | - | Anchorage, AK |
| Highest paying state | - | Alaska |
| Best paying company | - | Yale University |
| Best paying industry | - | Education |
There are a few differences between a circulation librarian and a reference librarian in terms of educational background:
| Circulation Librarian | Reference Librarian | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 60% | Bachelor's Degree, 56% |
| Most common major | Library Science | Library Science |
| Most common college | University of California - Los Angeles | New York University |
Here are the differences between circulation librarians' and reference librarians' demographics:
| Circulation Librarian | Reference Librarian | |
| Average age | 48 | 48 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 32.8% Female, 67.2% | Male, 33.3% Female, 66.7% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 6.5% Unknown, 3.6% Hispanic or Latino, 7.8% Asian, 4.9% White, 76.8% 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, 76.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3% |
| LGBT Percentage | 16% | 16% |