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The differences between library technicians and library specialists can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a library technician has an average salary of $37,757, which is higher than the $32,884 average annual salary of a library specialist.
The top three skills for a library technician include library services, data entry and circulation desk. The most important skills for a library specialist are library materials, library services, and library resources.
| Library Technician | Library Specialist | |
| Yearly salary | $37,757 | $32,884 |
| Hourly rate | $18.15 | $15.81 |
| Growth rate | -4% | -4% |
| Number of jobs | 24,941 | 19,984 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 59% | Bachelor's Degree, 62% |
| Average age | 50 | 47 |
| Years of experience | 12 | - |
A library technician is responsible for sorting books and other catalogs to their appropriate shelf for easy and accurate searching. Library technicians manage and monitor the materials borrowed from the facility, keeping a record of the borrower's information and updating details on the library's database. They also assist the visitors with their inquiries and concerns, leading them to the appropriate area of their needs, and remind everyone of the policies and regulations inside the library.
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.
Library technicians and library specialists have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Library Technician | Library Specialist | |
| Average salary | $37,757 | $32,884 |
| Salary range | Between $29,000 And $48,000 | Between $24,000 And $43,000 |
| Highest paying City | Washington, DC | Berkeley, CA |
| Highest paying state | Alaska | Washington |
| Best paying company | Syracuse University | Brown University |
| Best paying industry | Government | Education |
There are a few differences between a library technician and a library specialist in terms of educational background:
| Library Technician | Library Specialist | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 59% | Bachelor's Degree, 62% |
| Most common major | Business | English |
| Most common college | New York University | New York University |
Here are the differences between library technicians' and library specialists' demographics:
| Library Technician | Library Specialist | |
| Average age | 50 | 47 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 34.1% Female, 65.9% | Male, 31.6% Female, 68.4% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 9.5% Unknown, 5.5% Hispanic or Latino, 14.7% Asian, 5.3% White, 64.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.9% | 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% |
| LGBT Percentage | 11% | 11% |