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Library media assistant vs library media specialist

The differences between library media assistants and library media specialists can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a library media specialist has an average salary of $41,529, which is higher than the $34,052 average annual salary of a library media assistant.

The top three skills for a library media assistant include library materials, media and library books. The most important skills for a library media specialist are professional development, library materials, and K-12.

Library media assistant vs library media specialist overview

Library Media AssistantLibrary Media Specialist
Yearly salary$34,052$41,529
Hourly rate$16.37$19.97
Growth rate-4%6%
Number of jobs9,0879,216
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 63%Bachelor's Degree, 54%
Average age4748
Years of experience-4

Library media assistant vs library media specialist salary

Library media assistants and library media specialists have different pay scales, as shown below.

Library Media AssistantLibrary Media Specialist
Average salary$34,052$41,529
Salary rangeBetween $27,000 And $42,000Between $31,000 And $55,000
Highest paying CitySalem, ORWalnut Creek, CA
Highest paying stateWashingtonHawaii
Best paying companyAlbemarle CountyMontgomery County Public Schools
Best paying industryEducationGovernment

Differences between library media assistant and library media specialist education

There are a few differences between a library media assistant and a library media specialist in terms of educational background:

Library Media AssistantLibrary Media Specialist
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 63%Bachelor's Degree, 54%
Most common majorBusinessLibrary Science
Most common collegeStanford UniversityUniversity of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Library media assistant vs library media specialist demographics

Here are the differences between library media assistants' and library media specialists' demographics:

Library Media AssistantLibrary Media Specialist
Average age4748
Gender ratioMale, 21.2% Female, 78.8%Male, 14.7% Female, 85.3%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 11.1% Unknown, 4.8% Hispanic or Latino, 14.6% Asian, 5.1% White, 63.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8%Black or African American, 7.1% Unknown, 3.4% Hispanic or Latino, 8.2% Asian, 5.3% White, 75.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3%
LGBT Percentage11%16%

Differences between library media assistant and library media specialist duties and responsibilities

Library media assistant example responsibilities.

  • Assist with video recording and cataloging of activities on an IBM.
  • Perform original cataloging and copy cataloging.
  • Develop system to streamline classroom media requests resulting in more efficient distribution of materials.
  • Engage in moderate weeding projects of the fiction, biography, and nonfiction collections.
  • Assess and discard non-fiction collections as assigned.

Library media specialist example responsibilities.

  • Assist children on the autism spectrum academically and socially to achieve integration into a mainstream educational environment.
  • Collaborate with teachers on student research projects by teaching information literacy skills emphasizing on inquiry and organization using some technology.
  • Teach pre-K through 5th grade.
  • Initiate and run a summer sewing camp.
  • Create and run an alternative high school library.
  • Facilitate intervention with a small group of kindergarten students.
    • Show more

Library media assistant vs library media specialist skills

Common library media assistant skills
  • Library Materials, 14%
  • Media, 14%
  • Library Books, 6%
  • Instructional Materials, 6%
  • Circulation Desk, 5%
  • Library Equipment, 5%
Common library media specialist skills
  • Professional Development, 8%
  • Library Materials, 7%
  • K-12, 7%
  • Library Resources, 6%
  • Instructional Materials, 5%
  • Instructional Technology, 5%

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Updated January 8, 2025

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