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The differences between librarians and library technicians can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 1-2 years to become a librarian, becoming a library technician takes usually requires 6-12 months. Additionally, a librarian has an average salary of $53,096, which is higher than the $37,757 average annual salary of a library technician.
The top three skills for a librarian include library services, customer service and library materials. The most important skills for a library technician are library services, data entry, and circulation desk.
| Librarian | Library Technician | |
| Yearly salary | $53,096 | $37,757 |
| Hourly rate | $25.53 | $18.15 |
| Growth rate | 6% | -4% |
| Number of jobs | 1,264 | 24,941 |
| Job satisfaction | 5 | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 56% | Bachelor's Degree, 59% |
| Average age | 48 | 50 |
| Years of experience | 2 | 12 |
Librarians are trained in the field of information science so they can assist people in search of information. They direct and develop information systems and programs for the public. It is their job to make sure that the data is well-organized to meet every library user's needs. Their library work focuses on three main aspects, including user services, administrative services, and technical services. Typically, librarians work in schools, government, or local libraries.
A library technician is responsible for sorting books and other catalogs to their appropriate shelf for easy and accurate searching. Library technicians manage and monitor the materials borrowed from the facility, keeping a record of the borrower's information and updating details on the library's database. They also assist the visitors with their inquiries and concerns, leading them to the appropriate area of their needs, and remind everyone of the policies and regulations inside the library.
Librarians and library technicians have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Librarian | Library Technician | |
| Average salary | $53,096 | $37,757 |
| Salary range | Between $38,000 And $73,000 | Between $29,000 And $48,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Francisco, CA | Washington, DC |
| Highest paying state | Alaska | Alaska |
| Best paying company | Meta | Syracuse University |
| Best paying industry | Education | Government |
There are a few differences between a librarian and a library technician in terms of educational background:
| Librarian | Library Technician | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 56% | Bachelor's Degree, 59% |
| Most common major | Library Science | Business |
| Most common college | New York University | New York University |
Here are the differences between librarians' and library technicians' demographics:
| Librarian | Library Technician | |
| Average age | 48 | 50 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 31.3% Female, 68.7% | Male, 34.1% Female, 65.9% |
| 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, 9.5% Unknown, 5.5% Hispanic or Latino, 14.7% Asian, 5.3% White, 64.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.9% |
| LGBT Percentage | 16% | 11% |