Librarian vs law librarian

The differences between librarians and law 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 librarian and a law librarian. Additionally, a librarian has an average salary of $53,096, which is higher than the $51,708 average annual salary of a law librarian.

The top three skills for a librarian include library services, customer service and library materials. The most important skills for a law librarian are library services, collection development, and reference services.

Librarian vs law librarian overview

	Librarian	Law Librarian
Yearly salary	$53,096	$51,708
Hourly rate	$25.53	$24.86
Growth rate	6%	6%
Number of jobs	1,264	1,813
Job satisfaction	5	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 56%	Bachelor's Degree, 55%
Average age	48	48
Years of experience	2	2

Librarian vs law librarian salary

Librarians and law librarians have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Librarian	Law Librarian
Average salary	$53,096	$51,708
Salary range	Between $38,000 And $73,000	Between $35,000 And $76,000
Highest paying City	San Francisco, CA	Philadelphia, PA
Highest paying state	Alaska	Alaska
Best paying company	Meta	Northeastern University
Best paying industry	Education	Professional

Differences between librarian and law librarian education

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

	Librarian	Law Librarian
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 56%	Bachelor's Degree, 55%
Most common major	Library Science	History
Most common college	New York University	New York University

Librarian vs law librarian demographics

Here are the differences between librarians' and law librarians' demographics:

	Librarian	Law Librarian
Average age	48	48
Gender ratio	Male, 31.3% Female, 68.7%	Male, 32.4% Female, 67.6%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 6.4% Unknown, 3.6% Hispanic or Latino, 7.7% Asian, 4.9% White, 77.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3%	Black or African American, 6.4% Unknown, 3.6% Hispanic or Latino, 7.7% Asian, 4.9% White, 77.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3%
LGBT Percentage	16%	16%

Differences between librarian and law librarian duties and responsibilities

Librarian example responsibilities.

Plan and manage weekly toddler programs and activities.
Recruit, train, and manage volunteers, teen ambassadors, book buddies, elderly volunteers, and teen tech assistants.
Manage adult non-fiction materials and coordinate staff.
Manage and maintain inventory of NAVAIR technical documentation.
Manage integrated library system including OPAC, serials control, cataloging and acquisitions.
Achieve proficiency cataloging electronic materials (audio records, video recordings, and streaming video) and continuing resources/serials.

Law librarian example responsibilities.

Manage integrated library system including OPAC, serials control, cataloging and acquisitions.
Supervise cataloging and processing of all materials.
Perform library technical services, including cataloging, processing, and acquisitions.
Review monthly Lexis and Westlaw usage to identify users needing additional training in cost-effective research techniques.
Open new patron accounts, provide customer support regarding account status and work with Polaris systems.

Librarian vs law librarian skills

Common librarian skills

Library Services, 11%
Customer Service, 10%
Library Materials, 8%
Collection Development, 7%
Library Resources, 6%
Reference Services, 5%

Common law librarian skills

Library Services, 11%
Collection Development, 9%
Reference Services, 9%
Research Services, 8%
Legal Resources, 6%
Legal Reference, 6%

Librarian vs. similar jobs

Librarian related careers

Librarian related jobs

What similar roles do

Zippia Careers
Education, Training, and Library Industry
Librarian
Librarian vs Law Librarian

Updated January 8, 2025

Browse education, training, and library jobs