Library manager vs cataloger

The differences between library managers and catalogers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 1-2 years to become both a library manager and a cataloger. Additionally, a library manager has an average salary of $58,586, which is higher than the $34,943 average annual salary of a cataloger.

The top three skills for a library manager include library services, library policies and collection development. The most important skills for a cataloger are library catalog, RDA, and cataloging.

Library manager vs cataloger overview

	Library Manager	Cataloger
Yearly salary	$58,586	$34,943
Hourly rate	$28.17	$16.80
Growth rate	6%	6%
Number of jobs	1,739	93
Job satisfaction	-	5
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 65%	Bachelor's Degree, 61%
Average age	48	48
Years of experience	2	2

Library manager vs cataloger salary

Library managers and catalogers have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Library Manager	Cataloger
Average salary	$58,586	$34,943
Salary range	Between $41,000 And $82,000	Between $23,000 And $52,000
Highest paying City	San Francisco, CA	New Haven, CT
Highest paying state	California	Alaska
Best paying company	Amd	Harvard University
Best paying industry	Health Care	Education

Differences between library manager and cataloger education

There are a few differences between a library manager and a cataloger in terms of educational background:

	Library Manager	Cataloger
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 65%	Bachelor's Degree, 61%
Most common major	Business	History
Most common college	New York University	University of Maryland - College Park

Library manager vs cataloger demographics

Here are the differences between library managers' and catalogers' demographics:

	Library Manager	Cataloger
Average age	48	48
Gender ratio	Male, 38.1% Female, 61.9%	Male, 37.9% Female, 62.1%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 6.3% Unknown, 3.6% Hispanic or Latino, 7.7% Asian, 4.8% White, 77.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3%	Black or African American, 6.4% Unknown, 3.6% Hispanic or Latino, 7.8% Asian, 4.9% White, 77.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3%
LGBT Percentage	16%	16%

Differences between library manager and cataloger duties and responsibilities

Library manager example responsibilities.

Provide continuous cataloging training for library staff.
Operate library cataloging system efficiently by providing unique identification code to the newly purchase books.
Provide safety and security oversight of the library, training and updating evacuation/plot plans and extinguishment methods.
Research using LEXIS-NEXIS and WestLaw databases for legal, business, and newspaper research.
Utilize Lexis and Westlaw extensively to locate articles and case law relate to the topic.
Record retention.SecurityDuties include enforcing the rules and regulations of TDCJ.

Cataloger example responsibilities.

Manage category of materials: including books, CDs, films and other documents.
Assign subject headings using LCSH.
Cataloge books and serials for all the school district libraries.
Master the use of cataloguing resources such as WorldCat and HomeBase.
Assist librarians in other EPA libraries with the conversion of their serials list.
Assign LCSH and LCC, as well as a local classification system for legal treatises.

Library manager vs cataloger skills

Common library manager skills

Library Services, 18%
Library Policies, 11%
Collection Development, 9%
Local Community, 8%
Electronic Resources, 7%
Library Materials, 4%

Common cataloger skills

Library Catalog, 13%
RDA, 11%
Cataloging, 11%
OCLC, 8%
Online Database, 8%
Lcsh, 6%

Library Manager vs. similar jobs

Library Manager related careers

Library Manager related jobs

What similar roles do

Zippia Careers
Education, Training, and Library Industry
Library Manager
Library Manager vs Cataloger

Updated January 8, 2025

Browse education, training, and library jobs