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The differences between library assistants and librarians can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a librarian has an average salary of $53,096, which is higher than the $30,146 average annual salary of a library assistant.
The top three skills for a library assistant include customer service, library materials and circulation desk. The most important skills for a librarian are library services, customer service, and library materials.
| Library Assistant | Librarian | |
| Yearly salary | $30,146 | $53,096 |
| Hourly rate | $14.49 | $25.53 |
| Growth rate | -4% | 6% |
| Number of jobs | 1,122 | 1,264 |
| Job satisfaction | 5 | 5 |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 59% | Bachelor's Degree, 56% |
| Average age | 47 | 48 |
| Years of experience | - | 2 |
A library assistant's primary responsibilities revolve around managing reading materials and maintaining order while under a librarian's supervision. They are mostly in charge of locating, organizing, sorting, and even handling newly arrived books and other reading materials according to a specified system. A library assistant may also handle transactions with customers such as checking in and out books, maintaining databases, processing new registrations, and even releasing new library cards. Furthermore, they may have clerical tasks such as producing reports and other necessary documentation, managing schedules, answering calls, and other forms or correspondence.
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.
Library assistants and librarians have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Library Assistant | Librarian | |
| Average salary | $30,146 | $53,096 |
| Salary range | Between $22,000 And $39,000 | Between $38,000 And $73,000 |
| Highest paying City | Brookline, MA | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | Massachusetts | Alaska |
| Best paying company | Columbia University in the City of New York | Meta |
| Best paying industry | Professional | Education |
There are a few differences between a library assistant and a librarian in terms of educational background:
| Library Assistant | Librarian | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 59% | Bachelor's Degree, 56% |
| Most common major | Business | Library Science |
| Most common college | Northwestern University | New York University |
Here are the differences between library assistants' and librarians' demographics:
| Library Assistant | Librarian | |
| Average age | 47 | 48 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 29.0% Female, 71.0% | Male, 31.3% Female, 68.7% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 10.5% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 14.4% Asian, 6.4% White, 63.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8% | 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 | 11% | 16% |