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Job outlook for library paraprofessionals in the United States
Are library paraprofessional jobs in demand?
Library paraprofessional job and salary trends over time
Library paraprofessional jobs over time
Library paraprofessional job growth rate over time
| Year | # of jobs | % of population |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 167 | 0.00% |
| 2020 | 180 | 0.00% |
| 2019 | 183 | 0.00% |
| 2018 | 189 | 0.00% |
| 2017 | 200 | 0.00% |
Average library paraprofessional salary over time
Library paraprofessional salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $34,937 | $16.80 | +4.5% |
| 2024 | $33,429 | $16.07 | +3.7% |
| 2023 | $32,225 | $15.49 | +2.7% |
| 2022 | $31,386 | $15.09 | +2.3% |
| 2021 | $30,669 | $14.74 | +3.0% |
Library paraprofessional jobs by state
Most common states for library paraprofessionals
| Rank | State | Population | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Wyoming | 579,315 | 17 | 3% |
| 2 | Montana | 1,050,493 | 16 | 2% |
| 3 | Illinois | 12,802,023 | 81 | 1% |
| 4 | Arizona | 7,016,270 | 77 | 1% |
| 5 | Colorado | 5,607,154 | 69 | 1% |
| 6 | Minnesota | 5,576,606 | 46 | 1% |
| 7 | Connecticut | 3,588,184 | 33 | 1% |
| 8 | Kansas | 2,913,123 | 19 | 1% |
| 9 | Nebraska | 1,920,076 | 15 | 1% |
| 10 | Idaho | 1,716,943 | 10 | 1% |
| 11 | District of Columbia | 693,972 | 5 | 1% |
| 12 | Massachusetts | 6,859,819 | 23 | 0% |
| 13 | New York | 19,849,399 | 18 | 0% |
| 14 | Washington | 7,405,743 | 14 | 0% |
| 15 | Nevada | 2,998,039 | 7 | 0% |
| 16 | New Hampshire | 1,342,795 | 6 | 0% |
| 17 | Rhode Island | 1,059,639 | 4 | 0% |
| 18 | North Dakota | 755,393 | 2 | 0% |
| 19 | Alaska | 739,795 | 2 | 0% |
| 20 | Delaware | 961,939 | 2 | 0% |
Most common cities for library paraprofessionals
| Rank | City | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl | Avg. salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Olympia | 1 | 2% | $42,601 |
Library Paraprofessional job outlook: Expert opinions
Our panel of library paraprofessional experts
Texas Woman's University
Marshall University
The University of Iowa
University of Central Missouri
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 Paraprofessional 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.
What technology do you think will become more important and prevalent for Library Paraprofessionals in the next 3-5 years?
Ling Hwey Jeng: Librarians use information and communication technologies to facilitate positive changes in the community. The pandemic has heightened the devastating effects of the digital divide in many communities and the systemic racial, social, and economic inequities, especially among residents in underrepresented areas. For more than a century, librarians have been at the forefront of using technology to improve their own work in the libraries. The pandemic makes it clear that librarians are in the best position to take advantage of both information and communication technologies in community building. Technologies that are needed include not only those used to build systems such as library systems but also technologies that lead to solutions to individual problems and improve the quality of life of the community, such as broadband technology and personal devices.
Will there be an enduring impact of the coronavirus pandemic on Library Paraprofessionals?
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 Paraprofessional 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.
What Library Paraprofessional skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Kacy Lovelace: Consider skills that directly apply to the job that you want in the future. Get creative with this! Improve your communication skills, cross-cultural understanding by working abroad. The hospitality industry offers many opportunities for improving these valuable skills while also teaching listening skills, time management skills, and collaboration skills. If working abroad is not an option, take a language immersion course (online or in-person) and increase your ability to communicate with patrons and colleagues and your attractiveness to potential employers.
What technology do you think will become more important and prevalent for Library Paraprofessionals in the next 3-5 years?
Kacy Lovelace: Jobs in the library and information science constitute a mix of public-facing employment and those that are not. But if COVID-19 has taught us anything, it's that our communication methods and, more specifically, that we have various ways to communicate are more important than ever. Platforms like Microsoft Office (Teams), Google Drive, Skype for Business, and SharePoint allow us to continue sharing and collaborating. Possessing a strong knowledge base about the communication tools that you are using makes you a better collaborator and makes you better at your job.
Lindsay Mattock
Associate Director, Associate ProfessorThe University of Iowa
School of Library and Information Science
What experience really stands out on Library Paraprofessional 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.
How do you envision technology impacting Library Paraprofessionals in the next 5 years?
Lindsay Mattock: LIS is already a technologically-engaged field. So much of the professional practice relies on working with digital platforms, providing access to digital resources, and teaching patrons how to use these tools. It is essential to keep in mind that technology is always changing, but that skills translate across platforms. Many position advertisements request experience with specific software, but this doesn't mean that you need to learn a new tool to land the position. Professionals in the field are looking for candidates that can learn on the job, work with unfamiliar technologies, and apply core LIS theories in practice.
Will there be an enduring impact of the coronavirus pandemic on Library Paraprofessionals?
Lindsay Mattock: While the pandemic has exposed inequities in our profession and in the communities that we serve, I think that many libraries and collecting institutions have found opportunities to engage with people in new ways. I've talked to many professionals who have had opportunities to keep people employed and hire new folks to help build digital collections. At the same time, patrons cannot visit libraries, archives, and museums. The misinformation surrounding coronavirus (and the election) have only emphasized the importance of information literacy in society, creating additional opportunities to advocate for libraries in our communities and schools. I encourage students to reflect on their experiences during the pandemic and develop better services, collections, and programs that will equitably engage everyone in our communities. I do not doubt that future employers will want to know how your professional practice and perspective on the field have been affected by the events of 2020.
Dr. Rene Burress Ph.D.
Assistant Professor & Program CoordinatorUniversity of Central Missouri
Library Science and Information Services (LIS) Program
What type of skills will young Library Paraprofessionals need?
Dr. Rene Burress Ph.D.: Our graduates need to be completely digital literate when they enter the workforce. Librarians are technology leaders and should be ready to assist and train their patrons on all types of technology for people of all technical skill levels.
Are there any particularly good places in the United States for Library Paraprofessionals to find work opportunities?
Dr. Rene Burress Ph.D.: Librarians are needed in all 50 states, in nearly every K-12 school, every university, and every community has a library. Bigger cities have more frequent opportunities, but there are regular openings for librarian jobs in every state, even in very small towns. I have received emails from library board directors of small towns begging for applicants.