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Job outlook for library circulation assistants in the United States
Library circulation assistant job growth summary. After extensive research, interviews, and analysis, Zippia's data science team found that:
The projected library circulation assistant job growth rate is -4% from 2018-2028.
About -6,400 new jobs for library circulation assistants are projected over the next decade.
Library circulation assistant salaries have increased 14% for library circulation assistants in the last 5 years.
There are over 52,480 library circulation assistants currently employed in the United States.
There are 1,137 active library circulation assistant job openings in the US.
The average library circulation assistant salary is $30,375.
Are library circulation assistant jobs in demand?
Library circulation assistant job and salary trends over time
Library circulation assistant jobs over time
Library circulation assistant job growth rate over time
| Year | # of jobs | % of population |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 52,480 | 0.02% |
| 2020 | 56,552 | 0.02% |
| 2019 | 57,455 | 0.02% |
| 2018 | 59,502 | 0.02% |
| 2017 | 62,959 | 0.02% |
Average library circulation assistant salary over time
Library circulation assistant salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $30,375 | $14.60 | +4.5% |
| 2024 | $29,064 | $13.97 | +3.7% |
| 2023 | $28,017 | $13.47 | +2.7% |
| 2022 | $27,288 | $13.12 | +2.3% |
| 2021 | $26,664 | $12.82 | +3.0% |
Library circulation assistant jobs by state
Most common states for library circulation assistants
| Rank | State | Population | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ohio | 11,658,609 | 364 | 3% |
| 2 | Massachusetts | 6,859,819 | 150 | 2% |
| 3 | Colorado | 5,607,154 | 139 | 2% |
| 4 | Minnesota | 5,576,606 | 103 | 2% |
| 5 | Wisconsin | 5,795,483 | 95 | 2% |
| 6 | Connecticut | 3,588,184 | 64 | 2% |
| 7 | Utah | 3,101,833 | 58 | 2% |
| 8 | Nebraska | 1,920,076 | 33 | 2% |
| 9 | Idaho | 1,716,943 | 26 | 2% |
| 10 | New Hampshire | 1,342,795 | 25 | 2% |
| 11 | Montana | 1,050,493 | 25 | 2% |
| 12 | Alaska | 739,795 | 15 | 2% |
| 13 | North Dakota | 755,393 | 14 | 2% |
| 14 | District of Columbia | 693,972 | 14 | 2% |
| 15 | Wyoming | 579,315 | 11 | 2% |
| 16 | New York | 19,849,399 | 224 | 1% |
| 17 | Washington | 7,405,743 | 97 | 1% |
| 18 | Nevada | 2,998,039 | 44 | 1% |
| 19 | Rhode Island | 1,059,639 | 15 | 1% |
| 20 | Maine | 1,335,907 | 15 | 1% |
Most common cities for library circulation assistants
| Rank | City | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl | Avg. salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jackson | 1 | 3% | $28,860 |
| 2 | Troy | 1 | 1% | $29,371 |
Library Circulation Assistant job outlook: Expert opinions
Our panel of library circulation assistant 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 Circulation Assistant 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.
Will there be an enduring impact of the coronavirus pandemic on Library Circulation Assistants?
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 Circulation Assistant 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.
Lindsay Mattock
Associate Director, Associate ProfessorThe University of Iowa
School of Library and Information Science
What experience really stands out on Library Circulation Assistant 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.