Library clerk vs student library assistant

The differences between library clerks and student library assistants can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a library clerk has an average salary of $30,275, which is higher than the $25,083 average annual salary of a student library assistant.

The top three skills for a library clerk include library materials, customer service and circulation desk. The most important skills for a student library assistant are library materials, circulation desk, and front desk.

Library clerk vs student library assistant overview

	Library Clerk	Student Library Assistant
Yearly salary	$30,275	$25,083
Hourly rate	$14.56	$12.06
Growth rate	-4%	-4%
Number of jobs	67,131	11,257
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 52%	Bachelor's Degree, 66%
Average age	47	47
Years of experience	-	-

Library clerk vs student library assistant salary

Library clerks and student library assistants have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Library Clerk	Student Library Assistant
Average salary	$30,275	$25,083
Salary range	Between $23,000 And $39,000	Between $18,000 And $33,000
Highest paying City	Anchorage, AK	Palo Alto, CA
Highest paying state	Alaska	Massachusetts
Best paying company	Mayor Ethan Berkowitz	Palo Alto University
Best paying industry	Finance	Education

Differences between library clerk and student library assistant education

There are a few differences between a library clerk and a student library assistant in terms of educational background:

	Library Clerk	Student Library Assistant
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 52%	Bachelor's Degree, 66%
Most common major	Business	Psychology
Most common college	Stanford University	Northwestern University

Library clerk vs student library assistant demographics

Here are the differences between library clerks' and student library assistants' demographics:

	Library Clerk	Student Library Assistant
Average age	47	47
Gender ratio	Male, 28.7% Female, 71.3%	Male, 31.9% Female, 68.1%
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, 9.8% Unknown, 4.8% Hispanic or Latino, 14.6% Asian, 6.5% White, 63.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8%
LGBT Percentage	11%	11%

Differences between library clerk and student library assistant duties and responsibilities

Library clerk example responsibilities.

Issue out DVDs, CD's, and newspapers to library customers.
Check in and out library merchandise including: books, audio recordings, magazines, and DVDs.
Perform copy cataloging, subject analysis and assignment of classification numbers.
Perform regular cataloging of new acquisitions, maintaining accurate data building for microfilm, microfiche, periodicals, and academic collections.
Collate, and burned documents to CDs for time-sensitive shipment.
Shelve music books, music scores, CDs, vinyl record albums, and audiobooks.

Student library assistant example responsibilities.

Process, sort and organize books and DVDs.
Copy and original cataloging of auction catalogues; maintenance of auction catalogue shelves.
Organize books, DVDs, and CDs for organizational purpose to help other employees and patrons.
Assist in the cataloging and inventory of books, to restock or reorder popular or pertinent publications.
Process internal and external inter-library loan requests for fiction and non-fiction titles and digital media.
Assess and discard non-fiction collections as assigned.

Library clerk vs student library assistant skills

Common library clerk skills

Library Materials, 19%
Customer Service, 12%
Circulation Desk, 7%
Library Patrons, 4%
Word Processing, 3%
Office Equipment, 3%

Common student library assistant skills

Library Materials, 20%
Circulation Desk, 12%
Front Desk, 9%
Customer Service, 8%
Library Patrons, 7%
Library Resources, 4%

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Library Clerk vs Student Library Assistant

Updated January 8, 2025

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