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The differences between library clerks and assistant librarians can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, an assistant librarian has an average salary of $53,764, which is higher than the $30,275 average annual salary of a library clerk.
The top three skills for a library clerk include library materials, customer service and circulation desk. The most important skills for an assistant librarian are library materials, reference services, and library services.
| Library Clerk | Assistant Librarian | |
| Yearly salary | $30,275 | $53,764 |
| Hourly rate | $14.56 | $25.85 |
| Growth rate | -4% | -4% |
| Number of jobs | 67,131 | 1,617 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 52% | Bachelor's Degree, 55% |
| Average age | 47 | 47 |
| Years of experience | - | - |
Library clerks help librarians by primarily doing sorting, shelving, updating database and files, and cataloging several library materials such as books, newspapers, magazines, and multimedia resources. They check books and other resources in and out of the library assist in the procurement of library supplies, work with audio-visual equipment most of the time. In addition, other job responsibilities include setting up book displays, repairing damaged books, sending out overdue notices, and helping visitors find what they look for.
The main responsibilities and duties of an assistant librarian are to help librarians in acquiring, preparing, and organizing materials. Assistant librarians help in checking in and out as well as in the circulation of library materials. They execute transaction activities and patron registration. It is their job to process new books, make reservations on requested books, and maintain circulation records. They weed the collection of obsolete and worn-out materials whenever necessary. It is also part of their job to greet and attend to the needs of library users.
Library clerks and assistant librarians have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Library Clerk | Assistant Librarian | |
| Average salary | $30,275 | $53,764 |
| Salary range | Between $23,000 And $39,000 | Between $40,000 And $71,000 |
| Highest paying City | Anchorage, AK | Hayward, CA |
| Highest paying state | Alaska | Alaska |
| Best paying company | Mayor Ethan Berkowitz | Kent Daniels & Associates |
| Best paying industry | Finance | Health Care |
There are a few differences between a library clerk and an assistant librarian in terms of educational background:
| Library Clerk | Assistant Librarian | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 52% | Bachelor's Degree, 55% |
| Most common major | Business | Business |
| Most common college | Stanford University | New York University |
Here are the differences between library clerks' and assistant librarians' demographics:
| Library Clerk | Assistant Librarian | |
| Average age | 47 | 47 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 28.7% Female, 71.3% | Male, 31.5% Female, 68.5% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 9.8% Unknown, 4.8% Hispanic or Latino, 14.9% Asian, 5.3% White, 64.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8% | Black or African American, 9.6% Unknown, 4.8% Hispanic or Latino, 14.9% Asian, 6.3% White, 63.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8% |
| LGBT Percentage | 11% | 11% |