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Circulation worker vs library clerk

The differences between circulation workers and library clerks can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a library clerk has an average salary of $30,275, which is higher than the $24,116 average annual salary of a circulation worker.

The top three skills for a circulation worker include library materials, library services and customer service. The most important skills for a library clerk are library materials, customer service, and circulation desk.

Circulation worker vs library clerk overview

Circulation WorkerLibrary Clerk
Yearly salary$24,116$30,275
Hourly rate$11.59$14.56
Growth rate-4%-4%
Number of jobs19,38067,131
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 82%Bachelor's Degree, 52%
Average age4747
Years of experience--

Circulation worker vs library clerk salary

Circulation workers and library clerks have different pay scales, as shown below.

Circulation WorkerLibrary Clerk
Average salary$24,116$30,275
Salary rangeBetween $18,000 And $31,000Between $23,000 And $39,000
Highest paying City-Anchorage, AK
Highest paying state-Alaska
Best paying company-Mayor Ethan Berkowitz
Best paying industry-Finance

Differences between circulation worker and library clerk education

There are a few differences between a circulation worker and a library clerk in terms of educational background:

Circulation WorkerLibrary Clerk
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 82%Bachelor's Degree, 52%
Most common majorHistoryBusiness
Most common collegeUniversity of Michigan - Ann ArborStanford University

Circulation worker vs library clerk demographics

Here are the differences between circulation workers' and library clerks' demographics:

Circulation WorkerLibrary Clerk
Average age4747
Gender ratioMale, 37.6% Female, 62.4%Male, 28.7% Female, 71.3%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 10.0% Unknown, 4.8% Hispanic or Latino, 15.2% Asian, 4.1% White, 65.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8%Black or African American, 9.8% Unknown, 4.8% Hispanic or Latino, 14.9% Asian, 5.3% White, 64.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8%
LGBT Percentage11%11%

Differences between circulation worker and library clerk duties and responsibilities

Circulation worker example responsibilities.

  • Process internal and external inter-library loan requests for fiction and non-fiction titles and digital media.
  • Develop library collection materials for young adults including award-winning non-fiction and fiction titles.

Library clerk example responsibilities.

  • Issue out DVDs, CD's, and newspapers to library customers.
  • Check in and out library merchandise including: books, audio recordings, magazines, and DVDs.
  • Perform copy cataloging, subject analysis and assignment of classification numbers.
  • Perform regular cataloging of new acquisitions, maintaining accurate data building for microfilm, microfiche, periodicals, and academic collections.
  • Collate, and burned documents to CDs for time-sensitive shipment.
  • Shelve music books, music scores, CDs, vinyl record albums, and audiobooks.
  • Show more

Circulation worker vs library clerk skills

Common circulation worker skills
  • Library Materials, 25%
  • Library Services, 20%
  • Customer Service, 14%
  • Library System, 13%
  • Newspapers, 13%
  • Front Desk, 9%
Common library clerk skills
  • Library Materials, 19%
  • Customer Service, 12%
  • Circulation Desk, 7%
  • Library Patrons, 4%
  • Word Processing, 3%
  • Office Equipment, 3%

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