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The differences between library specialists and librarians can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a librarian has an average salary of $53,096, which is higher than the $32,884 average annual salary of a library specialist.
The top three skills for a library specialist include library materials, library services and library resources. The most important skills for a librarian are library services, customer service, and library materials.
| Library Specialist | Librarian | |
| Yearly salary | $32,884 | $53,096 |
| Hourly rate | $15.81 | $25.53 |
| Growth rate | -4% | 6% |
| Number of jobs | 19,984 | 1,264 |
| Job satisfaction | - | 5 |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 62% | Bachelor's Degree, 56% |
| Average age | 47 | 48 |
| Years of experience | - | 2 |
Library specialists are professionals who are responsible for assisting library patrons by performing a variety of tasks assigned by librarians. These specialists are required to perform duties such as telephone calls, responding to the questions of patrons, and assisting teachers and their students. They must help library patrons find resources that can include reference materials, electronic journals, and audiovisual equipment. Library specialists must also catalog and process other print and non-print materials while using a pushcart to re-shelve or deliver library books.
Librarians are trained in the field of information science so they can assist people in search of information. They direct and develop information systems and programs for the public. It is their job to make sure that the data is well-organized to meet every library user's needs. Their library work focuses on three main aspects, including user services, administrative services, and technical services. Typically, librarians work in schools, government, or local libraries.
Library specialists and librarians have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Library Specialist | Librarian | |
| Average salary | $32,884 | $53,096 |
| Salary range | Between $24,000 And $43,000 | Between $38,000 And $73,000 |
| Highest paying City | Berkeley, CA | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | Washington | Alaska |
| Best paying company | Brown University | Meta |
| Best paying industry | Education | Education |
There are a few differences between a library specialist and a librarian in terms of educational background:
| Library Specialist | Librarian | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 62% | Bachelor's Degree, 56% |
| Most common major | English | Library Science |
| Most common college | New York University | New York University |
Here are the differences between library specialists' and librarians' demographics:
| Library Specialist | Librarian | |
| Average age | 47 | 48 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 31.6% Female, 68.4% | Male, 31.3% Female, 68.7% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 11.0% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 14.5% Asian, 5.8% White, 63.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8% | Black or African American, 6.4% Unknown, 3.6% Hispanic or Latino, 7.7% Asian, 4.9% White, 77.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3% |
| LGBT Percentage | 11% | 16% |