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Job outlook for library aides in the United States
Library aide job growth summary. After extensive research, interviews, and analysis, Zippia's data science team found that:
The projected library aide job growth rate is -4% from 2018-2028.
About -6,400 new jobs for library aides are projected over the next decade.
Library aide salaries have increased 14% for library aides in the last 5 years.
There are over 51,843 library aides currently employed in the United States.
There are 40,987 active library aide job openings in the US.
The average library aide salary is $28,197.
Are library aide jobs in demand?
Library aide job and salary trends over time
Library aide jobs over time
Library aide job growth rate over time
| Year | # of jobs | % of population |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 51,843 | 0.02% |
| 2020 | 55,867 | 0.02% |
| 2019 | 56,758 | 0.02% |
| 2018 | 58,780 | 0.02% |
| 2017 | 62,196 | 0.02% |
Average library aide salary over time
Library aide salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $28,197 | $13.56 | +4.5% |
| 2024 | $26,980 | $12.97 | +3.7% |
| 2023 | $26,008 | $12.50 | +2.7% |
| 2022 | $25,331 | $12.18 | +2.3% |
| 2021 | $24,752 | $11.90 | +3.0% |
Library aide jobs by state
Most common states for library aides
| Rank | State | Population | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Indiana | 6,666,818 | 786 | 12% |
| 2 | Montana | 1,050,493 | 131 | 12% |
| 3 | Iowa | 3,145,711 | 306 | 10% |
| 4 | Kansas | 2,913,123 | 301 | 10% |
| 5 | Minnesota | 5,576,606 | 513 | 9% |
| 6 | Nebraska | 1,920,076 | 179 | 9% |
| 7 | Alaska | 739,795 | 63 | 9% |
| 8 | Michigan | 9,962,311 | 778 | 8% |
| 9 | Maine | 1,335,907 | 113 | 8% |
| 10 | Pennsylvania | 12,805,537 | 951 | 7% |
| 11 | New Jersey | 9,005,644 | 611 | 7% |
| 12 | Massachusetts | 6,859,819 | 480 | 7% |
| 13 | Wisconsin | 5,795,483 | 398 | 7% |
| 14 | North Dakota | 755,393 | 54 | 7% |
| 15 | Vermont | 623,657 | 46 | 7% |
| 16 | Kentucky | 4,454,189 | 262 | 6% |
| 17 | West Virginia | 1,815,857 | 116 | 6% |
| 18 | New Hampshire | 1,342,795 | 74 | 6% |
| 19 | Rhode Island | 1,059,639 | 68 | 6% |
| 20 | Delaware | 961,939 | 56 | 6% |
Most common cities for library aides
| Rank | City | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl | Avg. salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Burlington | 1 | 4% | $31,124 |
| 2 | Florence | 1 | 4% | $28,224 |
| 3 | Fairborn | 1 | 3% | $20,772 |
| 4 | Iowa City | 1 | 1% | $26,431 |
Library Aide job outlook: Expert opinions
Our panel of library aide experts
Texas Woman's University
Marshall University
The University of Iowa
Ling Hwey Jeng
Professor and the Director of School of Library and Information StudiesTexas Woman's University
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Library Aide job market given the pandemic?
Ling Hwey Jeng: The biggest revelation, since the beginning of the pandemic, is that librarians provide services and contribute to the local community with or without the physical building of libraries. This is evident in communities across the country and all over the world. As soon as many cities went into lock-down in March 2020, librarians promptly took on the role of second responders by actively joining the crisis response efforts. These include, for example, producing PPE's using their 3D printers, expanding virtual library services for residents stuck at home, providing instructional supports for K-12 virtual learning, and enhancing wi-fi services to those without broadband connectivity at home.
What technology do you think will become more important and prevalent for Library Aides in the next 3-5 years?
Ling Hwey Jeng: Librarians use information and communication technologies to facilitate positive changes in the community. The pandemic has heightened the devastating effects of the digital divide in many communities and the systemic racial, social, and economic inequities, especially among residents in underrepresented areas. For more than a century, librarians have been at the forefront of using technology to improve their own work in the libraries. The pandemic makes it clear that librarians are in the best position to take advantage of both information and communication technologies in community building. Technologies that are needed include not only those used to build systems such as library systems but also technologies that lead to solutions to individual problems and improve the quality of life of the community, such as broadband technology and personal devices.
Will there be an enduring impact of the coronavirus pandemic on Library Aides?
Ling Hwey Jeng: A thriving community is one with (a) an employable workforce that allows all residents who want to work, can work, and earn livable wages, (b) healthy families where all residents have accessible and affordable healthcare, and (c) informed citizenship achieved through a full range of opportunities from early childhood literacy, to K-12 education, to higher education, to career development and retraining, to information services to seniors. Librarians play a significant role at each and every stage of lifelong learning for all residents. The need for librarians' knowledge and skills will continue even, and especially, during economic hardship.
What experience really stands out on Library Aide resumes?
Kacy Lovelace: While it might seem like an obvious answer, make sure that you have experience working in a library (or information center)! Student experience, such as graduate assistantships, internships, and practicums, are invaluable because they let you experience the day-to-day operations of a library department and, to an extent, the library as a whole.
This experience shows prospective employees that you are familiar with library operations and probably enjoy working in a library. If you don't have library experience, start looking for it now! Check with your advisor, campus libraries, or local public libraries for volunteer or entry-level positions to gain you the necessary hands-on library experience.
Additionally, connect the experience that you do have to library and information science. Do you have experience with academic writing or editing experience? Show how these experiences are beneficial to positions that you apply for in library science.
What Library Aide skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Kacy Lovelace: Consider skills that directly apply to the job that you want in the future. Get creative with this! Improve your communication skills, cross-cultural understanding by working abroad. The hospitality industry offers many opportunities for improving these valuable skills while also teaching listening skills, time management skills, and collaboration skills. If working abroad is not an option, take a language immersion course (online or in-person) and increase your ability to communicate with patrons and colleagues and your attractiveness to potential employers.
Lindsay Mattock
Associate Director, Associate ProfessorThe University of Iowa
School of Library and Information Science
What experience really stands out on Library Aide resumes?
Lindsay Mattock: For students in Library Science, building a set of practical experiences to complement course work is critical. I always encourage students to consider listing service-learning experiences from their coursework alongside internships, practicum, volunteer positions, and professional posts. Staying active in professional organizations is another way to gain valuable experience and network with professionals in the field.